About Driving in Cyprus, Cyprus

Driving in Cyprus is most advisable as regular transport service is not available to all remote areas where many places of interest are to be found.

Fairly good surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements link the towns and the various villages.

Four lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia with the coastal towns of Lemesos, Larnaka and one part of Pafos.

Minor roads and forest roads are still largely unsurfaced but in good to fair condition. Appropriate care should be taken when using these roads, especially during wet weather.
Visitors wishing to bring their car to Cyprus can do so, for a period up to 3 months provided the car has a valid registration licence of its country of origin. The period may be extended accordingly, provided the person is considered a visitor by the Department of Customs & Excise.

HANDS FREE DURING DRIVING IS MANDATORY
During driving, the driver should take all necessary measures, so that his/her hands are free at all times in order to have full control of the vehicle. Therefore the use of a mobile phone is strictly prohibited.

DRIVING LICENCE
Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid International driving licence, or their National driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
Cyprus Driving Licence: £35 for a lifetime.

European driving licenses are recognized officially by the law 94(1)/01. Driving licenses issued by Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Australia, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, United States of America, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Russia, must be replaced after a period of six months. Non European citizens and citizens who come from the previously mentioned countries are allowed to drive holding their National Driving License for a period of about 30 days (this period is not strictly restricted). If they are holders of an International driving license they are allowed to drive provided their license is valid.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN MOTORISTS ENTERING CYPRUS
As from 1/5/2004, when Cyprus has acceded to the E.U, as far as Insurance cover is concerned, all 25 E.U. countries plus Switzerland, Croatia, Iceland and Norway will be considered as one territory.
As a result of the above, if a visitor, from one of the 29 Countries mentioned above, brings to Cyprus a motor vehicle bearing the registration plate of one of these countries, he should not be intercepted at his point of entry in Cyprus for proof of Insurance cover, as it is presumed that he is covered by Insurance in his own country, even if he may not be so
covered. In the latter case the International Insurance Bureau of his country will be held responsible to compensate the claimant as a result of the Guarantee Agreement in force. (Unified Agreement or Internal Regulations).
If a foreign visitor brings into Cyprus a motor vehicle bearing a registration plate not belonging to one of the 29 European Countries, then the Cyprus Authorities should check whether the foreign motorist has a valid Green Card In force for Cyprus. A foreign visitor may have a Green Card in force, even if his country of origin is not a member of the Green Card System.
If a foreign visitor has in force a «frontier insurance» issued in one of the 29 European Economic Area Countries, then such a cover will be valid also in Cyprus until its expiry date.
It is possible for a motorist to have a valid Green Card in force, even if his car bears a motor plate of a European country. In this case, the motor plate Country prevails over the Green Card Agreement and the Police Authorities should allow the vehicle to enter Cyprus without checking his Green Card.
If a foreign motorist enters Cyprus and does not have a registration plate belonging to one of the 29 European Countries, but does not have a Green Card valid for Cyprus either, then this motorist should not be allowed to drive his car in