Exchange UK driving license for Cypriot

You should have exchanged it within 6 months of moving to Cyprus.

I know that but DOT were not doing it without a Biometric card which we do not have!

We are in the same position ,we went to the citizens centre but they cannot exchange UK licenses for Cypriot ones . It is of no help to say you should exchange within 6 months of arrival when the delivery of biometric cards takes well over a year , without the biometric cards you cannot exchange licenses! The demand that exchange must be done within 6 months is impossible .

Have you asked if you can just use your passport as that is what everywhere else asks in Europe?

I called DVLA and asked if I could change my address to Cyprus as i no longer live in the UK. The answer was no that cannot be done. I should exchange the license for a Cypriot one. I explained the issue. They did suggest changing my address to a family or relatives address where I would be able to access any post they might send. It does not appear to be a condition that you live at the address just that you can accept post and any notices they send. The fine for not notifying them of a change of address is GBP1000. I am changing my address to a relatives who does send me post and opens any important looking letters.

This is good to learn as we have a UK postal address for some mail. I am needing to update my license shortly as I will reach 70 years of age and this will solve the worry of having an expired license .

If you are no longer resident in the UK, you can not use a friend or relatives address. It's breaking the law. End of.

@SimCityAT That is not a helpful comment. We are all aware that we should change our driving licence after 6 months. The problem is the Cypriot Department of Transport who will not change your licence without a Biometric id card and immigration are slow in issuing the card.

I am afraid it is Cypriot bureaucracy to blame.

    @SimCityAT That is not a helpful comment. We are all aware that we should change our driving licence after 6 months. The problem is the Cypriot Department of Transport who will not change your licence without a Biometric id card and immigration are slow in issuing the card.
I am afraid it is Cypriot bureaucracy to blame.
   

    -@MacGeorge8035

Sorry if you find it unhelpful.

But the DVLA is giving out our incorrect information. It's against the law in the EU ever since the UK Left The EU.

You can not use anymore a address in the UK as point of contact for a UK Driving license.

@SimCityAT I know it is against the law to use a UK address now we have moved to Cyprus. But if your UK licence is about to run out and you can't change it for a Cypriot one because the DoT will not accept an individual ARC  but insists on a biometric ID card (which is not even mandatory at the moment) which takes many, many months even years to be delivered by the immigration department here in Cyprus.

Are we just supposed to stop driving because of the poor bureaucracy in Cyprus? Surely it is the Cypriot DoT and Cypriot Immigration who should taken to task by the EU.

@MacGeorge8035

Indeed they should.... However having had a long history raising issues with EU over the last 16 years it's a cumbersome mechanism and very very slow.... And unless people raise the issues through the PETI portal..nothing will be done as they won't even know what member states actually do to citizens  day to day.

For example ....just last week I got an "issue conclusion" reply to an issue I raised in malta 12 years ago.....

    @MacGeorge8035
Indeed they should.... However having had a long history raising issues with EU over the last 16 years it's a cumbersome mechanism and very very slow.... And unless people raise the issues through the PETI portal..nothing will be done as they won't even know what member states actually do to citizens  day to day.

For example ....just last week I got an issue conclusion reply to an issue I raised in malta 12 years ago.....
   

    -@Toon

..........and this this is why we should have a MP for overseas that should fight for our corner.

I am very lucky that I have a close connection with the embassy in Austria should we have any issues they are pretty good and we have the email and phone number of the Austrian Interior Minister.

You ALL really need to get onto the Consulate and bug the hell out of them until they are sick of hearing from you or try and make a good connection with them?

@Toon what is the PETI portal

@SimCityAT I have tried the consulate twice, they failed to reply each time.

    @SimCityAT I have tried the consulate twice, they failed to reply each time.
   

    -@MacGeorge8035

Are you not able to arrange a meeting with them? Maybe @Toon could do that as he is the expert on this Forum?

@SimCityAT Toon any thoughts maybe you me and Phil could go and speak to the Consulate

@MacGeorge8035

The PETI portal is the EU citizens means of notifying the EU Commission about issues affecting them and for them to investigate. It needs evidence and supporters  of the claims

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/petitions/en/home

You could also get in touch with competent authority at the ministry of the interior ...

minister@moi.gov.cy

Reply from consulate...

·    If you are a consular customer and in need of urgent consular assistance please call +357 22861 100 and choose the Consular Option.

·    If you have a non-urgent consular enquiry, including on your rights as a British National living in Cyprus, please re-submit your enquiry, in English, via the web contact form for Consular Enquiries. You can also find out more at our Living in Cyprus guide.

·    You can find our full Travel Advice for Cyprus at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus & live updates on our Facebook & Twitter pages @UKinCyprus

·    If you are travelling to the UK, you can find full information on what you need to do before and after arrival at www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

·    For visa information & how to apply please visit www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk.

Reply from the BHC contact form

Thank you for your enquiry of 26/04/2024 .

Your email has been forwarded to the appropriate department for their attention.

Regards

Consular Contact Centre

Consular Services Department | Consular Directorate | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | London SW1A 2AH | Tel: 44 (0) 207 008 5000

Might be worth everyone making contact via the website form contact mechanism on this link.

https://www.contact-embassy.service.gov … Nicosia%20

@Toon That is how i contacted them 6 months ago, still waiting for a reply. I will try again on Monday.

    @Toon That is how i contacted them 6 months ago, still waiting for a reply. I will try again on Monday.
   

    -@MacGeorge8035

Which one?

@MacGeorge8035

Have you tried phoning them

    "If you are a consular customer and in need of urgent consular assistance please call +357 22861 100 and choose the Consular Option."

Not really sure what constitutes "a consular customer" ...?

@Toon no neither an i not really sure not being able to get a driving licence exchanged constitutes an emergency. Might need to wait until i an arrested for not exchanging my driving licence😢

@MacGeorge8035

Ok let me see if I get direct replies .. will advise when I  know