From 14 September 2026, the rules for obtaining a driving licence in Cyprus will change. All applicants will be required to complete mandatory training at a driving school before taking the practical driving test. Without a training certificate, candidates will not be allowed to sit the exam.
The required number of lessons will depend on the vehicle category and will range from 5 to 10 sessions. For the most common Category B licence, which allows the holder to drive passenger cars with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3.5 tonnes and carry up to eight passengers in addition to the driver, the minimum requirement will be 10 driving lessons. If an applicant fails the practical test on the first attempt, they must complete an additional five lessons before retaking the exam.
What Documents Will Be Required for the Driving Test?
From 14 September 2026, applicants must submit a certificate confirming completion of the required driving school training together with the standard set of documents. Without this certificate, the driving test will not be conducted, regardless of the licence category. Those who have already booked practical tests for autumn are advised to contact their driving school in advance to ensure they can complete the required number of lessons and obtain the certificate before their scheduled test date.
The number of mandatory lessons varies depending on the driving licence category. The new requirements are currently known to apply to Categories A1, A2, A, B, and B+E. The exact number of compulsory lessons for each category will be published by the Department of Road Transport in a dedicated table.
Under the current system, Category A1 covers light motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cc and a maximum power output of 11 kW, and is available from the age of 17½. Category A2 allows riders to operate motorcycles with a maximum power output of 25 kW, subject to a power-to-weight ratio limit, and can be obtained from the age of 20. Category A permits the operation of unrestricted motorcycles and is available either from the age of 22 after holding an A2 licence for at least two years, or directly from the age of 24. Category B is available from the age of 17½, while Category B+E, which allows the holder to drive a Category B vehicle with a trailer, can also be obtained from the age of 17½.
Why Cyprus Is Introducing New Requirements for Future Drivers
The reform was prepared by the Cyprus Department of Road Transport. The bill was reviewed by the Parliamentary Transport Committee in July. Deputy Director of the Department, Yiannis Nicolaides, previously stated that 10 practical driving lessons represent a reasonable minimum level of training for new drivers, and that a certificate confirming completion of the course should become a mandatory requirement for taking the practical test.
Before the new rules were adopted, mandatory minimum training requirements existed only for certain licence categories. For example, applicants seeking a licence for high-powered motorcycles were already required to complete at least 17 lessons, whereas no fixed minimum previously applied to Category B.
What Will Change for Future Drivers?
The new system is designed to improve the quality of driver training and enhance road safety in Cyprus. Mandatory lessons should give learner drivers more practical experience before taking the test and increase their chances of passing on the first attempt.
In addition to introducing compulsory driving lessons, the authorities have also discussed the possibility of using GPS to record the route taken during the practical driving test. This measure is intended to make the assessment process more transparent and objective.
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