Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Does anyone know how far in advance of expiry, you can renew your driving licence ??

You can not do it in advance you have one month after expiry .

renewed mine about 2 weeks before expiry. I think it is the same as road tax you can renew it in the month of expiry

Many thanks for the info. and for taking the time to post.

Our D.L's expire tomorrow so popped in to get forms today. Having problems translating the, what I think, are medical questions at the bottom, one is obviously about reading registration numbers from 23 metres and I think one could be asking if you have false leg (don't laugh please)!! Three years ago a very kind gentleman in the Lefkosa office did it all for us, but I doubt this will happen again in Girne. Thanks in advance.

Sophie,
There are English copies on the BRS website

jimm, have pm'd you.

They have the forms in English in the Girne Tax Office.

Hi, I was in tax office yesterday. At the driving licence desk the forms on left hand side are in English right hand side turkish.

Done mine on Monday done everything in the tax office except passport photos. Photocopy of passport done upstairs forms on the desk in English. Only wanted 2 yrs so paid 210tl and it took 10mins from start to finish with happy staff. Only takes 1 week so picking up on Monday amazing.

Went today, everything OK and was told to go back next Monday to collect. I recognized the chap that dealt with us from 3 years ago and remarked that then it had taken 7 weeks. He said "things have improved, thank goodness" Lets see what happens on Monday - hope he's right, you never know.

"with happy staff"

I bet they're "happy staff" the thieves it's daylight robbery - 210tl x 3.80 = £56 sterling for two years , Jesus wept.

Munchkin, every aspect of an expat living here has a cost. Just accept the fact we are 'yabancılar nakit ineği' and live life to its full.

Locals have to pay for licences too....

Jonnie, maybe they do. But are they hit with KIBTEC meter deposit charges, higher prices for being non-TC in shops/services, annual immigration charges et al?

Discrimination rules here tomsteel you try and get a ten year l licence they will not give it to you, as an ex-pat the most my partner could get was three years and she is a permanent resident here and has been for many years the reason basically is it's much more expensive to get two or three years than ten also ex-pats suffer all the ridiculous VERY HIGH percentage increases the governments introduce the locals do not. The government is doing a very good job at alienating and getting all the ex-pats out of the north, well done Eroglu.

Well Tomsteel you really would not expect TC to pay annual immigration charges would you?? GET REAL. As for higher prices in thic, I have had a clear discount for paying up front for a high value item over a TC as they expect to pay in instalments. I shop in Ileli where I pay the same price as TCs. Other shops I haggle and pay a fair rate as I see it. Incidentally if you cross the channel and shop in Calais or Bologne you will find also a local and non local price but as they say a fool and their money.........

Munchkin, I understand what you say about not being allowed 10 year licences, am not sure even locals can get 10 yr ones any more but many I know can not afford to do more than one year. To assume this is directed purely at expats is misguided as to the charges you say expats suffer VERY HIGH percentage increases that the locals do not, please give some examples...

If a TC elects to live in the UK, how many annual immigration charges do they pay? Are they made to pay a deposit on their electricity meter higher than UK citizens, do they get different health service than UK citizens? Are they treated differently than UK citizens, are they forced to have annual blood tests? I could go on, but Jonnie I feel we must just agree to disagree. I still live in the TRNC by choice and have no intention of returning to a breaking UK.

Tom, what is breaking Britain? One of the popular thoughts is that we are being over immigrated, as a result most people would like to see tougher immigration controls. TRNC is not alone in things like health tests many countries do it, I think though you will find it to be more aimed at other expat nationalities than Brits however to allow Brits special treatment would be racist. With regard to the electricity meters I was told that this had arisen largely due to the number of students leaving without paying electricity debt, I for one would prefer to see deposits than raises in costs as a result of bad debt (without getting on the subject of electricity debt from hotels ministries and municipalities).

I know Brits are often seen as cash cows here but if we let ourselves be taken as one we only have ourselves to blame. Incidentally I recently had four quotes for some work, the Brits were more expensive, one was twice the highest of the other three and having seen the work of one of the less expensive ones I am happy to go with them. I will report here once the job is done.

Breaking UK - well, for starters for ten: immigration, banking scandals/tax avoidance, inept politicians, flawed policies, failure to address the NHS problems with any long-term policy, no coherent travel infrastructure planning, failure to deport foreign criminals, homeless, social services cheating, reduced HM Forces/eqpt et al. I could wax lyrical here.

I do not wish UK expats to receive special treatment anywhere, including the TRNC. I just feel they should be treated as TCs are with equal opportunities for work, health care, voting rights et al.

Anyway, this is now well off topic - so, bfn.