Cyprus-Forum.com

[jbeshay]

Hello.

I have arrived from Egypt for work in Cyprus about a month ago. Things are going very well except for transportation. Public transportation isn't reliable at all and it stops working after 6 PM.

I want to know how I can legally drive a car in Cyprus. I heard a lot about different procedures and regulations. I have been driving in Egypt for 4 years and I have an international driving permit. To apply for a Cypriot license I understand I must have been in Cyprus for at least 6 months which isn't the case for me.

Could any body please tell me what are the possibilities of me driving in Cyprus and how? Do I need an insurance? If yes, do you know of any companies that would accept an international driving permit?

I appreciate your advice.

Happy Easter !

Joseph

[fig head]

I believe you can drive with international license for 6 months only, then you have to apply for driving test and yes you have to be here for 6 months.. no other way around it unless you wanna drive without a european license and put your sef at risk cause even if ya got a car you wont be able to insure it or pay road tax or MOT without having a european license, so if you drive illegally your car can be takin off you by the polce who are every where now wdays!

[beverley10]

When you say "international licence" do you mean one that is valid in Europe?or is it an Egyptian licence?If it is the former then you can drive on it indefinately but if it is the latter I think you would have to take a Cypriot driving test.That should not be too difficult as the driving ability in both countries are on a par (diabolical).

[DANGAMAN]

Yes that is the case, living in Cyprus for 6 months and over must exchange drivers license to a Cypriot (EU) one.

Now the rules change slightly if one is working in Cyprus, if that is the case this should be done ASAP.

Once you surrender your D/license to the DRMV (Deputy Registra of motor vehicles) you will obtain a Cypriot one.

When you decide to leave you do exactly the same back in you country, surrender the Cypriot one and get your old one back...

Simple?

[Svetlana]

The major difference between driving rules in Cyprus and elsewhere is the use fo the car horn. In Cyprus, the Law states there are only three circumstances when you are allowed to use your horn:

i) when the drive in front does not move off in .03 millisecond, when the lights change from red.

ii) when you see 'Maria mou' driving towards you and you wish to stop in the middle of the road for a talk about her hot date, last night.

iii) (For men only) when you see a 'babe' walking along the pavement.

[Gasman]

The major difference between driving rules in Cyprus and elsewhere is the use fo the car horn. In Cyprus, the Law states there are only three circumstances when you are allowed to use your horn:

i) when the drive in front does not move off in .03 millisecond, when the lights change from red.

ii) when you see 'Maria mou' driving towards you and you wish to stop in the middle of the road for a talk about her hot date, last night.

iii) (For men only) when you see a 'babe' walking along the pavement.

Saw another use for it in action last night. Three cars driving the wrong way along the waterfront, old town, Makenzy - hazards flashing and beeping constantly! (Dunno where they thought you could go to to get out of their way if you were coming towards them - they park both sides of that narrow road almost the whole length of it!)

[beverley10]

Those cars were owned by the Cypriot lads celebrating their national service finishing i think gasman,we saw it a couple of years back and they were hanging out of windows and sun roofs drinking and yelling!No police obviously,they actually could have fallen out and killed themselves and anyone else unfortunate to be in their stupid way.All for them having a celebration but wacky races on public roads?