How to Get a Driving License in Cyprus

A car in Cyprus often becomes a necessity: public transport does not cover all routes, and the distances between cities, districts, and beaches are more convenient to travel by car. If you do not yet have a driving license, you can obtain one in the Republic of Cyprus from scratch.

In the Republic of Cyprus, driving licenses are obtained through Department of Road Transport. The process includes a theory exam, obtaining learner’s permits, practice with an instructor, and a practical exam.

• License acquisition process
• Who can get a license
• Documents
• Theory exam
• Learner’s permits
• Practical training
• Practical exam
• Cost
• Driving schools and instructors
• FAQ

License acquisition process

1. Learn the theory: signs, road markings, police signals, traffic lights, and basic rules.
2. Submit documents to Department of Road Transport.
3. Pass the theory exam.
4. Obtain learner’s permits.
5. Complete practice with an instructor.
6. Book the practical exam in advance.
7. Pass the practical test.
8. Obtain a regular driving license.

Who can get a license

You can apply for learner’s permits from the age of 17.5. A regular category B driving license can be obtained from the age of 18.

A foreign applicant must confirm legal residence in the Republic of Cyprus.

Documents

• completed TOM 7D form;
• passport or ID;
• valid residence permit or another document confirming legal residence;
• copies of documents;
• two passport-size photos;
• payment of official fees.

Theory exam

The theory exam is usually conducted orally at the Department of Road Transport. The inspector asks questions about road signs, markings, traffic officer signals, traffic lights, and the rules of the road.

The exam is usually held in Greek or English.

Learner’s permits

After successfully passing the theory test, the applicant receives learner’s permits. They allow you to learn to drive, but do not give you the right to drive independently.

With learner’s permits, you may drive the instructor’s car or your own car, provided there is suitable insurance and learner plates. An instructor must be present nearby.

For adult learners, the accompanying driver is usually required to be over 25 and have at least 5 years of driving experience. For learners under 18, the requirements for the accompanying driver may be stricter.

Driving onto the motorway with learner’s permits is allowed only with a licensed instructor.

Practical training

After obtaining learner’s permits, you can take lessons from an instructor. In practice, at least several lessons are usually taken before the exam. People often aim for 7 or more hours, but the actual number depends on the student’s preparation and the instructor’s requirements.

If you have no experience, you may need 20–30 hours. If a person already knows how to drive, sometimes a few lessons are enough to adapt to left-hand traffic, routes, and exam maneuvers.

What is usually practiced

• left-hand traffic;
• turns to the right and left;
• driving through roundabouts;
• driving on narrow streets;
• parallel parking;
• reversing;
• reversing into an adjacent street;
• three-point turns;
• using mirrors, indicators, and maintaining distance.

Practical exam

The practical exam usually lasts about 45 minutes. The examiner assesses safe driving, observance of right of way, speed, distance, mirrors, indicators, and reaction to road situations.

During the exam, you will be asked to perform 3 maneuvers, for example: parallel parking, reversing, a three-point turn, turns, driving through a roundabout, and following a route indicated by the examiner.

Booking the exam

You need to book the practical exam in advance. In major cities, the wait can be around two months. The time depends on the workload of the Department of Road Transport and available slots.

You can book it yourself through the Department of Road Transport service or through an instructor, if they help with booking.

Cost

Driving schools and instructors by city

There are many traditional driving schools and private licensed instructors in Cyprus. Before paying, you should check the instructor’s license, current price, language of instruction, transmission, and the cost of the car for the exam.

Limassol

• Driving School Limassol;
• Andy’s Driving School;
• P&N Panayiotou Driving School;
• Petros Eleftheriou Driving School;
• Golden Eagle Driving School.

Nicosia

• Nicosia Driving School;

Larnaca

• Larnaca Driving School;
• Charalambos Driving School;
• G.Phidias Driving School.

Paphos

• Costas Constantinou Driving School;;
• Σχολή Οδηγών «ΣΑΒΒΑΣ» «ΓΙΩΤΑ»;
• private licensed instructors by recommendation.

What to clarify before choosing an instructor

• whether the instructor has a valid license;
• which language the lessons are taught in;
• how much one lesson costs;
• how long a lesson lasts: 45, 60, or 90 minutes;
• whether there are manual and automatic cars;
• how much the car for the exam costs;
• whether the instructor helps with booking the exam;
• whether the instructor helps with documents;
• which district the lessons take place in;
• whether there are evening or weekend lessons.

Manual or automatic

If you take the exam in a car with an automatic transmission, your license may be restricted to automatic vehicles. To obtain a license without such a restriction, you need to train and take the exam in a manual car.

After passing the exam

After successfully passing the practical exam, you need to obtain a regular driving license at the Department of Road Transport. To do this, documents, proof of successful exam completion are submitted, and the official fee is paid.

FAQ

Can you drive with learner’s permits?

Yes, but only with an accompanying driver or instructor. You cannot drive independently with learner’s permits.

Can you learn on your own car?

Yes, if the car has suitable insurance, learner plates, and an accompanying driver nearby who meets the requirements.

How many lessons do you need to take?

The number of lessons depends on experience. Often at least 7 hours are taken before the exam, but beginners may need 20–30 hours.

How long do you have to wait for the practical exam?

In major cities, the wait can be several weeks or about two months.

Can you take the theory exam in Russian?

The exam is usually held in Greek or English. The possibility of taking it with an interpreter should be checked in advance.

Can you drive on the motorway with learner’s permits?

With learner’s permits, motorway driving is usually possible only with a licensed instructor.

What should you do if you fail the practical exam?

You need to book a retake and work through the mistakes with your instructor. The time for rebooking depends on the workload of the Department of Road Transport.