Cyprus to Issue Driving Licences from Age 17
Cyprus is preparing legislative changes that will bring the national rules for issuing driving licences into line with the new European Union directive.
One of the main innovations will be a unified digital driving licence stored in a European digital wallet. Ioannis Ioakim, a representative of the Cyprus Department of Road Transport (TOM), noted that such a digital document will be usable across the European Union: EU member states will be able to verify driving licence data when a motorist is in their territory.
The digital driving licence in Cyprus will be implemented jointly by the Department of Road Transport and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. Physical driving licences will not disappear completely. The new EU rules provide for the option to obtain a plastic document, particularly for people who do not use smartphones or who prefer to have a physical licence.
Importantly, a digital version of the driving licence already exists in Cyprus in the Digital Citizen app. The application currently allows users to store digital copies of their identity card, driving licence, MOT certificate and fan card. The digital driving licence is recognised as equivalent to the physical document for lawful use within the Republic of Cyprus.
Driving from the age of 17 with an accompanying driver
For standard Category B driving licences, meaning passenger cars, the administrative validity period in Cyprus will remain 15 years for now. There are no plans to change this period as part of the current reforms. The main change will concern the age at which driving can begin. The new European system provides for the possibility of driving a Category B vehicle from the age of 17, but until the driver turns 18, only when accompanied by an experienced driver.
In Cyprus, this rule is expected to enter into force earlier than most of the other changes — from November 2028. However, the exact model of accompanied driving is still being developed by the Department of Road Transport. Current Cyprus rules set different age requirements: a Category B learner licence can be obtained from the age of 17.5. Therefore, the transition to the EU-wide system will represent a noticeable change for young drivers.
Two-year probationary period for new drivers
A mandatory two-year probationary period will be introduced for new drivers. During this period, stricter penalties will apply for certain offences. Particular attention will be paid to road-safety violations, including drink-driving, failure to wear a seat belt and improper use of child restraint systems.
This measure is intended to reduce risks for young drivers. According to figures cited in the context of the new EU directive, people under the age of 30 account for around 8% of all car drivers, yet they are involved in 2 out of 5 fatal road accidents. The new rules also provide for more effective mutual recognition of driving bans between EU countries. This means that a serious offence committed by a driver in another EU country should not go without consequences simply because the licence was issued by a different country.
What will change for drivers over 70
Separate changes will affect motorists over the age of 70. Currently, when renewing a driving licence in Cyprus, drivers in this age group must provide a medical certificate. The new system provides for the possibility of self-assessment of health. A medical examination will be required in cases where there are grounds to doubt a person’s ability to drive safely.
Thus, the approach will focus not only on the driver’s age, but also on their actual state of health and ability to operate a vehicle safely. The Department of Road Transport has already begun preparing the necessary legislative amendments and conducting public consultations. The main part of the new rules must be implemented by November 2028, while most provisions will begin to apply from November 2029. The exception is accompanied driving from the age of 17, which is expected to take effect as early as November 2028.
A wide selection of cars is available on the DOMCar portal.