How to Get a Driving Licence in Cyprus: Complete 2026 Guide

To get a Cyprus driving licence, you need to complete four steps: apply for a learner's licence at the Department of Road Transport, complete lessons with a licensed instructor, pass the theory test, and pass the practical test. The process typically takes three to six months for a new driver. EU citizens can exchange their existing licence without sitting tests; other nationalities should check their status with the Department.

Getting a driving licence in Cyprus is straightforward once you know the system. But the rules differ depending on where you are from and what licence you already hold. This guide covers the full process for 2026, from your first visit to the Department of Road Transport all the way to picking up your finished licence.

How the Cyprus driving licence system works

The Department of Road Transport (Τμήμα Οδικών Μεταφορών) is the only body that issues driving licences in the Republic of Cyprus. It sits under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. The headquarters is in Nicosia, with offices in Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, and Paralimni. If you want a licence, you go through them. There are no shortcuts and no private alternatives.

Cyprus follows EU standards for licence categories and testing. The island drives on the left, which is worth knowing if you have only ever driven on the right. Speed limits and road distances use kilometres and km/h, the same as the rest of Europe.

The system has two broad paths. New drivers, regardless of nationality, go through a structured process: learner's licence, lessons, theory test, practical test. Drivers who already hold a foreign licence may be able to exchange it, depending on their nationality and the bilateral agreements in place. Which path applies to you depends mostly on your passport, not where you learned to drive.

For a clear walkthrough of the full process from start to finish, the step-by-step driving licence guide breaks everything down in detail. This article gives you the complete picture so you know what to expect before you begin.

Who can apply and the minimum age

To apply for a Category B licence, which covers standard passenger cars, you must be at least 18 years old. Category B is by far the most common licence type and the one most people are aiming for.

You also need to be legally resident in the Republic of Cyprus. This means you need proof of where you live, such as a rental contract, a utility bill, or your yellow slip, which is also called an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC). If you are an EU citizen who has registered your residency, your registration document works too.

You will need a valid passport or national ID. A recent passport-style photograph is required. You will also need a medical certificate from a registered doctor confirming you are fit to drive. The medical is not a major hurdle for most people, but you do need to have it done before you apply. Your GP or a private clinic can carry this out.

One thing to be clear about: this all applies to the Republic of Cyprus, which covers the south of the island. Northern Cyprus operates a completely separate licensing system under a different authority. A Cypriot licence issued by the Republic does not automatically cover you in the north. These are two distinct legal systems and this guide only covers the Republic.

If you are unsure about your situation as a foreigner, the guide for foreigners in Cyprus explains the different scenarios clearly and is worth reading before you visit the Department.

The learner's licence: your first official step

Before you can take a single paid lesson on the road, you need a learner's licence. In Greek this is called an εκπαιδευτική άδεια. You apply for it in person at your nearest Department of Road Transport office.

Here is what you need to bring:

• Valid passport or national ID
• Proof of residence in Cyprus (rental contract, utility bill, or yellow slip / ARC)
• A recent passport-style photograph
• A medical certificate from a registered doctor confirming fitness to drive

Check current fees directly with the Department of Road Transport, as official amounts can change.

Once your application is approved, you receive your learner's licence and you are officially allowed to start lessons. The learner's licence is not a full driving licence. You cannot drive alone on it. You must always be accompanied by a licensed instructor in a dual-control car.

While you are at the wheel as a learner, the car must display red L plates front and rear at all times. This is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. Instructors know this and will handle it for their own vehicles, but it is good to know the rule.

The learner's licence is the gateway to the rest of the process. You cannot book a theory test or a practical test without first holding one. Many people underestimate this step and try to start lessons informally before applying. That is not how the system works here.

Driving lessons: what to expect

Lessons in Cyprus are conducted by licensed instructors in dual-control cars. Each lesson typically lasts 45 minutes. How many lessons you need depends entirely on your starting point. Someone who has driven abroad for years will need fewer sessions than a complete beginner.

There is no fixed minimum number of lessons set by the Department. Your instructor will advise you when they think you are ready to sit the practical test. Most people find that honest instructors give realistic timelines. Rushing through to save money and then failing the test is a false economy.

Prices vary between schools and between cities. Shopping around is normal and advisable. You should compare a few options before committing to one school. For a realistic look at what lessons cost across Cyprus, the driving lesson costs in Cyprus guide has current information gathered from schools around the island.

If you are based in the capital, you can browse and compare driving schools in Nicosia to find one that suits your schedule and budget.

Lessons cover all the skills tested in the practical exam: moving off, junctions, roundabouts, parking, reversing, and handling real traffic. Cyprus roads include a mix of motorways, urban streets, and rural roads. Your instructor should expose you to all of these, not just quiet back streets.

The theory test: what it covers and how to pass

The theory test is computer-based. You can take it in Greek or English, which is a genuine relief for most expats and newcomers. The test covers road signs, traffic rules, and safe driving behaviour. It uses a multiple-choice format with images of road scenarios.

You book the test through the Department of Road Transport. You cannot book it until you hold your learner's licence. Test slots are available at the Department offices in all main cities.

To prepare, most driving schools provide study materials. There are also official question banks that cover the topics tested. Spending time with these before the exam is the most reliable way to pass. The questions are not designed to trick you, but some of the road sign questions catch people off guard if they have not studied them specifically.

Passing the theory test is a requirement before you can sit the practical test. You cannot do them in reverse order. If you fail, you can retake it. Check with the Department for waiting periods between attempts and for the current fee structure.

The test is not difficult for someone who has studied. Most people who fail do so because they underestimated it or skipped the preparation. Treat it seriously, set aside a few evenings to go through the study material, and you will be in good shape.

The practical test: what happens on the day

The practical test is conducted on real public roads by an examiner from the Department of Road Transport. This is not a closed course or a car park exercise. You will drive through actual traffic, face real junctions, and deal with whatever conditions exist on the day.

The examiner sits in the passenger seat and gives you instructions. They assess your ability to control the vehicle, follow traffic rules, respond to road signs, and handle different driving situations safely. They are looking for competence and confidence, not perfection. Small errors do not automatically mean a fail, but serious mistakes or dangerous actions do.

On the day, arrive early. Bring your learner's licence and your national ID or passport. The test vehicle is your instructor's dual-control car, so your instructor will typically drive you to the test location and the examiner will take over from there.

If you pass, you will be told at the end of the test. The process of receiving your actual licence card takes a little time after that. If you fail, the examiner will explain why. You can rebook and try again. Check current waiting periods and fees with the Department.

ClickClickDrive Cyprus can help you compare driving schools and find instructors who have a strong track record with the practical test. Reading reviews from other learners before choosing a school is time well spent.

Licence categories, validity, and renewal

Cyprus uses the standard EU licence category system. The main categories are:

• AM - mopeds
• A1 / A2 / A - motorcycles, graded by power output
• B - passenger cars up to 3,500 kg and up to 8 passengers (the most common)
• C - trucks
• D - buses
• BE / CE / DE - combinations with trailers

Most people reading this are interested in Category B. It is the standard car licence and the one the full process described in this article leads to.

A Cyprus Category B licence is valid across all EU member states. If you move to another EU country after getting your Cypriot licence, you can drive there on it. This is one of the practical benefits of Cyprus being in the EU.

For validity, Category B licences in Cyprus are typically valid until the holder reaches the age of 70. After that, renewal involves medical checks. The specific rules around validity and renewal can change, so confirm current requirements with the Department of Road Transport before you assume anything.

Renewing a licence is handled by the same Department offices that issue them. You do not have to retake tests at renewal unless there is a medical reason or a significant gap in your driving history.

If you already hold a foreign driving licence

This section matters a lot depending on where you are from.

EU and EEA citizens living in Cyprus can keep driving on their home country licence. However, there is a window after taking up residence during which you can exchange your existing licence for a Cypriot one without sitting any new tests. This is a clean exchange - no theory test, no practical test. The length of that window and the exact process are set by the Department, and you should check the current details directly with them, as the rules can be updated. The exchanging an EU licence guide walks through what to expect.

UK licence holders are in a different position since Brexit. The UK is now treated as a third country for exchange purposes. A certified translation of your licence may be required. Depending on the current status of bilateral agreements between Cyprus and the UK, you may need to sit one or both tests. The situation has shifted since 2021, so do not rely on old information. Check the current position with the Department before you do anything. The UK licence after Brexit guide covers this in detail.

Third-country nationals whose home country is not on the recognised exchange list will typically go through the full process: learner's licence, lessons, theory test, and practical test. This is the same path as a new driver. It takes time, but the process is clear and manageable.

If you are unsure where you stand, the safest thing to do is visit a Department of Road Transport office and ask directly. Bring your existing licence, your passport, and your proof of residence. They will tell you exactly which path applies to you.

Getting your Cyprus licence sorted early is worth it. Driving on an expired exchange window or on a licence that no longer covers you legally is not a risk worth taking.

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The Cypriot system is structured and predictable once you understand it. Whether you are starting from scratch or arriving with a foreign licence, the Department of Road Transport will tell you exactly where you stand. The process takes a few months for most new drivers, and the key is not to rush it. Book your learner's licence first, find a good instructor, take the theory seriously, and you will be driving on a full Cyprus licence before the year is out.