A NEW LAW FOR MOTORISTS - OUTRAGEOUS!

[suehowlittle]

My husband was stopped by the Police going to Lapta Post Office this morning. Oddly enough, that was the 3rd time in 3 days he was called over for 'control'

After establishing that his documents were in order, the policeman asked him ' where is your Kocan?'. 'In my house' was my husband's reply.

The policeman told him that it was a new law, a requirement to carry a copy of your Kocan in your vehicles at all times. My husband said ' you mean a photocopy?' and the policeman agreed.

Are there any Cypriots on Kibkom who can verify this for us please, I find it quite inexplicable and would like to know whether this was just because the policeman was ticked off because everything was in order and he had targets to meet.

How else can we find out whether this is true or not. What comes next do you think?

Quite upset about this - is it discrimination rearing it's ugly head again?

[Marions]

Not heard about this one! What about the many people who rent? A copy of the rental agreement? Certainy is interesting.

I was sotpped the other day (Christmas Day in fact) and documents checked and I then wished the man Merry Christmas and I went off for my late Christmas lunch. No mentionof a Kocan.

Or was he having a joke. How good was his English? Maybe he meant something else?

Anyone else heard of this?

[IPMAN]

Marions - I think she means the car Kocan, as far as I know this has always been the case??

[suehowlittle]

So does Kocan actually mean logbook, if so, then there is something wrong as he had a photocopy of that in the documents presented.

[Marions]

Aha. Another case of Lost in Translation. Log Book makes sense. That has always been the law, although recently, and I think it was our lovelyhelpful Trevor Hughes, who came up with the fact that a photocopy is O.K. In fact, he suggested we photocopy everything so that it cannot get lost or stolen.

I prefer to keep the originals.

But now that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation. That is why I asked about how good he English of the policeman was. When I was sotpped, of course I handed over the Log Book.

Phew, that's a relief!

[sophie]

I don't keep any of the actually originals in my car (if the car was to be stolen I'd be up a gum tree without a paddle) but yes it does mean the log-book, but its not an actual translation because there doesn't appear to be one. If you translate log book into Turkish from a good quality dictionary it comes out as seyir journal/defteri or in English "a log of your journey" which if you think of it makes sense. Don't worry SHL, I don't think they are specifically picking on your husband!!

[kaiserphil]

We British have learned not to keep stuff like that in the car, in case of theft.

[Jonnie]

We always keep a copy in the car also a copy of my driving licence just in case I do not have my wallet with me. Copies are not because I am afraid of the car or originals being stolen, despite what you hear this is extremely rare and I am yet to hear of it happening.

Look at Kocan as deed of title ie ownership. You get it with cars, boats houses etc

[kbasat]

Jonnie, I think it has to do with the fact that once you steal the car, there is nowhere to run, 30 mins in every direction and you hit the sea

[cyprusishome]

Was told on first arrival that it is a legal requirement to carry the original document or face prosecution, that was eight years ago, so not a new law. As I am too lazy to go and check I think you will find that the said document has kocani on the front.

[Jonnie]

Jonnie, I think it has to do with the fact that once you steal the car, there is nowhere to run, 30 mins in every direction and you hit the sea

Just reminding people of one of the life qualities we have living here!

[stellasstar1]

I also just have copies of everything in my car as once all the originals disappeared(can't imagine who would want my car!), but remember if you are going to the South and need your yearly tax, they only accept original Log Book.

[squashmad]

I don't know about this being a new law as I was pulled over for speeding 8.5 years ago and was told then by a very friendly policeman that was illegal NOT to carry original documents (log book, insurance, mot - emissions tests did not exist then) and your trnc driving licence.

I was given 2 hours to get to the police station with all my 'original' documents and the police there also confirmed it was against the law if you did not have these in your car.

Also, your kocan is your log book in the case of your car.

[Tanyaahmet]

I have been stopped a few times and they have asked to see my car and moped kocan (log book) it is actually a law to have it on you from what i know and they can take the vehical to the police station untill you show them and i think it has to be the original a photocopy wont work but i do think it is a waste of time i was driving my dads friends car when i got stopped and i said it was it could have been any ones car for all they would know so i dont get what them seeing it changes really