Trevor’s Tips: reply to questions about driving to south Cyprus

Readers mail….

We receive many enquiries for information in response to our publications on Cyprusscene and below is a request for confirmation and additional tips from Hillary concerning driving licences as reported in Trevor’s Tips for April 2019 . Click here to read more.

Thank you,

Trevor Hughes

Comment from Hillary:

Hello Trevor,
I am new to this Newsletter and am very impressed by your postings. Thank you so much for taking the time to research on our behalf and communicate succinctly.

I am 60+, TRNC home owner and a ‘swallow’, not British but an EU country passport holder, in possession of an IDP and rely on TRNC hire car.

After the 90 days do I need to apply for

a Temp. Residency Permit
OR

would it suffice to cross the border into South Cyprus on a day trip or possibly more days?

a TRNC driving license
OR

will the IDP be recognised?

Many thanks,
Hilary

Reply to Hillary:

Hello Hillary,

When you have spent 90 days here in any one year, if you intend driving here you must, hold a valid TRNC driving licence, otherwise your insurance will not be recognised by the insurance company and the police. Because you are over 60 years old this makes your application more straightforward.

If you wish, we can make your application for you, our fee is 80TL over and above the licence fee.

On the subject of Temporary Residence even though you are over 60 years old you should make your application at least once, although this may change later.

There are changes afoot and all expats will have to register themselves with the Ministry irrespective of their age every 1 or 2 years.

(For British visitors) Depending on Brexit, your UK driving license will not be recognised to drive over the border at the moment, you will need an International Driving Permit if the UK comes out of the EU.

The permits can only be got from a British Post Office. If you cannot get to the UK, someone can make the application for you. The cost is £5.50 per application per year. The IDP is not recognised here in the TRNC.

Going over the border to get an extension to your 90 days is against the Law here, although some people have got away with it for years, but this practice will cease soon.

I hope this is helpful to you, but if you need more information you can contact me direct on trevorhughes329@gmail.com and if you would like to receive my News Round direct let me know by emailing me, this is a free of charge service

Regards

Trevor Hughes

PS We will be testing this system next week in the UK and will update information as necessary.

We do a monthly news round which I send out via email and also goes on the CyprusScene website and Enewspaper which is free to you and will keep you up to date on the ever changing things here in the TRNC.