As Cyprus is a small island, the best way to get around is by car. But is your drivers license valid in the country, or would you need to sit through the test once again? The answer depends on your nationality. Cyprus being part of the EU, EU drivers licenses are valid but the country has reciprocal exchange agreements with many countries, so in most cases, you probably won't have to sit through the test. Read below to learn more about how to drive in Cyprus.
Exchanging your driver's licence
If you are an EU national, you can drive in Cyprus with your own driver's license until it expires. Once it does, you must exchange it for a local one, but note that the earliest you can acquire a Cypriot driver's license is after six months of residing in the country. The exchange takes place at the Department of Road Transport, and there is a fee of 40 euros. The application forms will be in Greek, but the personnel there can help you if you don't speak the language. Documentation may vary depending on your situation but, in general, the following documents are required:
- A filled out TOM7Î application form
- Two photographs, standard passport size
- Your original Certificate of Alien Registration, as well as a copy
- Utility bills or other proof of residence in Cyprus for at least six months
- Your original driver's license, along with two photocopies of all pages. Note that if your license was issued in a language other than English or Greek, you will have to get an official translation at the Press and Information Office in Cyprus, or your home country's embassy.
If you are a third-country national, your original license will become invalid after a while. Exactly how long you have until that happens, depends on your issuing country and you are advised to consult your embassy before moving to Cyprus. Once your license becomes invalid, you will have to obtain a Cypriot driver's license by taking all the mandatory theory and practice lessons and sitting through the test.
Good to know:
Thankfully, Cyprus has reciprocal exchange agreements with many non-EU countries. So if your driver's license was issued in one of the countries below, it will be considered valid in Cyprus:
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Iceland
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Russia
- Serbia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- USA
- Zimbabwe
Driving in Cyprus
As Cyprus was formerly occupied by the UK, the country still has left-hand traffic. If you are not used to left-hand traffic, you are advised to pay attention when starting your car on an empty street, as you may forget and drive on the right side of the road instead. However, if there are cars around you, it will probably be easy for you to figure out which side of the road you are supposed to be in.
Good to know:
Although people in Cyprus do not drive dangerously, they do have a penchant for not following the rules religiously. To be on the safe side, you should always try to keep the proper distance between your car and other cars and be prepared that people may speed.
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