Category B Driving Licence Cyprus — Everything You Need to Know

Getting a driving licence in Cyprus is more straightforward than many people expect. Category B is the one most people need, covering everyday cars and light vans. Whether you are new to Cyprus or starting from scratch, knowing the rules upfront saves you time and stress.

What Category B covers

Category B is the standard car licence. It is what most people picture when they think of a driving licence.

In Cyprus, Category B lets you drive motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500 kg. You can carry up to eight passengers, not counting yourself as the driver. That covers most private cars, small MPVs, and light commercial vans you see on the road every day.

It does not cover motorcycles, buses, or heavy goods vehicles. Those need separate categories. But for day-to-day life, Category B is what you need.

One thing worth knowing is that Cyprus follows European Union rules on licence categories. So the Category B licence you earn here is recognised across all EU member states. If you later move to Germany, France, Spain, or anywhere else in the EU, you will not need to retake your test. You can simply exchange your licence under local rules. If you already hold an EU licence from another country, the process is different. You can read more about that in this exchanging an EU licence guide.

For foreigners coming from outside the EU, the process is different again. Cyprus has specific rules about which foreign licences it recognises and which require a full test. A separate licence guide for foreigners covers that in detail.

Category B is also the base from which you can later add towing rights, which we cover further down.

The minimum age and requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Category B licence in Cyprus. There is no provisional or graduated system at 17 here, unlike some other countries.

Beyond age, you need to meet a few basic requirements before you can start the process.

You need to be resident in Cyprus. This means you must be able to show that Cyprus is your normal place of residence. Tourists passing through cannot apply for a Cypriot driving licence.

You also need to pass a basic medical check. A registered doctor examines your eyesight and general health. The standard is not demanding for most people, but it is a formal requirement. You will need a completed medical certificate as part of your application paperwork.

Here is what you need to bring to the Department of Road Transport to start your application:

• A valid passport or national identity card
• Proof of Cyprus residence (such as a utility bill or rental contract)
• A recent passport-sized photograph
• A medical certificate completed by a registered doctor

The Department of Road Transport has five offices across the island: Nicosia (which is the headquarters), Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, and Paralimni. You go to the office that covers your area. Fees apply at various stages of the process. Check current fees with the Department of Road Transport, as they can change.

If you want a full breakdown of each step, the step-by-step driving licence guide walks you through the whole process from start to finish.

The learner's licence for Category B

Before you can take a single lesson on public roads, you need a learner's licence. In Greek this is called the εκπαιδευτική άδεια, which translates roughly as "training licence."

You apply for it at the Department of Road Transport office in your area. You submit your documents, pay the relevant fee, and once approved, you receive the learner's licence. Only then can you legally drive with an instructor.

The learner's licence is not a full driving licence. It is a permit that allows you to practise on public roads under proper supervision. Driving on public roads without it, even with an instructor present, is not allowed.

This step catches some people off guard. They assume they can simply walk into a driving school and start lessons straight away. In Cyprus, the paperwork comes first.

Once you have your learner's licence, you are ready to enrol with a driving school and begin practical training. The learner's licence has a set validity period, so do not sit on it too long before starting your lessons.

One practical tip: bring all your documents with you when you first visit the Department of Road Transport. Missing even one item means a second trip. The offices can be busy, especially in Nicosia and Limassol, so going prepared makes a real difference.

Your lessons: what they cover

Driving lessons in Cyprus must be taken with a licensed instructor. You cannot practise on public roads with a family member or a friend, unlike in some northern European countries. The instructor must hold a valid instructor's licence issued by the Department of Road Transport.

The car used for lessons must be a dual-control vehicle. That means the instructor has their own brake and clutch pedals on the passenger side. The car must also display red L plates on the front and rear. If a car does not have these plates, you should not be getting in it for a lesson.

Lessons typically cover a range of skills. These include:

• Basic vehicle controls and smooth starting and stopping
• Junction work, roundabouts, and lane discipline
• Reversing, parking, and three-point turns
• Driving on faster roads including dual carriageways
• Hazard awareness and anticipating other road users

There is no fixed minimum number of hours set by the Department of Road Transport. In practice, most students need somewhere between 20 and 40 hours before they are ready to test. Some need more. The instructor advises you when you are ready.

If you are looking for a school, you can browse driving schools in Nicosia to compare options in the capital. Schools vary in price, scheduling flexibility, and the language they teach in. English is widely available.

The quality of instruction matters a lot. A good instructor will prepare you not just to pass the test, but to drive safely on Cypriot roads, which have their own quirks.

The Category B theory test

The theory test in Cyprus is called the γραπτή εξέταση, which means written examination. You take it before your practical test.

The test covers three main areas. Road signs are a big part of it. Traffic rules and regulations come next. Then there are questions on safe driving, vehicle safety, and what to do in an emergency.

You can take the test in Greek or in English. For most foreigners, English is the obvious choice, and the Department of Road Transport accommodates this. Your driving school will help you register for the test and tell you what study materials to use.

The format is multiple choice. You read each question and select the correct answer from the options given. There is a pass mark you need to hit. If you fail, you can retake it, but you must wait a set period before trying again.

Most driving schools provide theory preparation as part of their package. Some have their own question banks that mirror the real test. Spending time on practice questions is the most effective way to prepare. Simply reading the highway code is not always enough on its own.

The theory test is taken at a Department of Road Transport office. You book through your driving school or directly with the department. Bring your learner's licence and identification on the day.

Passing the theory test is required before you can sit the practical test. You cannot skip it or do them in the other order.

The Category B practical test

The practical test is the final hurdle. It is conducted by an examiner from the Department of Road Transport, not by your driving school instructor. This is an important distinction. Your instructor trains you, but the examiner who tests you is an independent official.

The test takes place on real public roads in the city where you are based. You are not on a closed course or a test track. You drive in normal traffic, with real conditions, other drivers, and pedestrians. The examiner sits in the passenger seat and gives you directions. They assess your driving, not your ability to follow a fixed route.

The examiner looks at a wide range of things. These include how you manage junctions, how you position yourself on the road, how you handle roundabouts, and how you deal with other road users. They also look at your observation, your speed management, and your general awareness.

Serious faults result in an immediate fail. Minor faults are counted. Too many minor faults, even without a serious one, can also mean a fail. Your instructor will explain what the examiners focus on in your specific city, because local road conditions vary.

If you fail, you must wait before retesting. You can book further lessons and try again. There is no limit on attempts, but fees apply each time.

Passing is a genuine achievement. Cypriot examiners are thorough. Do not expect an easy pass just because you have been driving for years in another country.

Towing with a Category B licence in Cyprus

A standard Category B licence does allow you to tow a trailer, but there are limits.

The key rule involves combined weight. Your vehicle and the trailer together must stay within a certain combined maximum authorised mass. If the combination goes above that threshold, a standard Category B licence is not enough. You would need to obtain the BE category, which is an additional licence specifically for heavier vehicle and trailer combinations.

In practical terms, this affects people who want to tow a boat, a large caravan, or a horse trailer. Small trailers for garden waste or light loads are usually fine under Category B. Anything larger needs checking.

If you are unsure whether your specific vehicle and trailer combination falls within Category B limits, ask the Department of Road Transport directly. They can confirm based on the registered weights of both your vehicle and the trailer. Do not assume. Towing beyond your licence category is an offence and can affect your insurance.

The BE category requires additional training and a test. It is a practical extension of what you already know, not a completely new process. Many driving schools in Cyprus offer BE training alongside their standard courses.

For most people moving to Cyprus with a car and a small trailer, the standard Category B rights are sufficient. But it is worth checking your specific situation before you hitch anything up.

Validity and renewal of your Cyprus Category B licence

A Cyprus Category B licence issued to a driver under a certain age is valid for a set period. After that, renewal is required. The Department of Road Transport handles renewals, and you will need to pass a medical check again to confirm you are still fit to drive.

Older drivers face more frequent renewal requirements. This is standard across EU countries and is tied to health and eyesight checks that become more relevant with age. Cyprus follows the EU framework on this.

If your licence expires, you should not drive. Driving on an expired licence is treated the same as driving without a licence in terms of penalties.

Renewal is done at the Department of Road Transport office in your area. You will need your current licence, identification, a new medical certificate, a recent photograph, and the renewal fee. Check current fees with the Department of Road Transport before you go, as amounts are updated periodically.

Your Cyprus licence carries your photo, your personal details, and the category codes on the back. Category B will appear as a code on the licence itself. Keep your licence with you whenever you drive. Cyprus law requires you to carry it, and police can ask to see it at any time.

If you are new to Cyprus and want to understand the full picture of how licences work here, including recognition of foreign licences and the exchange process, ClickClickDrive Cyprus is a useful starting point for finding schools and understanding the local system.

The Cyprus licence is a full EU driving licence. It opens the same doors across Europe as a licence issued in any other member state.

Getting your Category B licence in Cyprus takes time and effort, but the process is clear once you know what each step involves. Start with your documents, get your learner's licence, find a good instructor, and take your time preparing for both tests. People do it every year in all five cities across the island. With the right preparation, so can you.