Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Does it include tourists as well I wonder? In other words can someone just visiting to checkout the place still hire a car. We've decided to follow some of the good advice given me on here by you very knowledgeable people, and visit first before committing.
Thank you

No you are fine as a tourist to drive on your own licence with a hire car.

Thanks AM

What do you mean by 'retaking driving lessons/test'?

If you have an EU issued driving licence, you just fill in a form, provide a photo and pay a fee, then you are issued a TRNC driving licence - you don't need lessons or a test.

Unless it's changed & nobody told me!

KC, they were harping on about over 70 taking lessons and driving test here about 5 years ago, but it died a death, too many locals I think.

Come on Keith. Do keep up!!!

Laura B wrote: ↑

Tue 24 Jan 2023 3:13 pm

Come on Keith. Do keep up!!!

My bad!

Do we know anyone who's actually had to do this?

NO. Died a death with many 0ver 70s I suspect.

Was talking to Fatoş in Capital Insurance tbe other day and it is happening. I find it hilarious that those with a Turkish driving licence don't need to do it but EU licence holders do!

Laura B wrote: ↑

Wed 25 Jan 2023 8:24 am

Was talking to Fatoş in Capital Insurance tbe other day and it is happening. I find it hilarious that those with a Turkish driving licence don't need to do it but EU licence holders do!

Reciprocation innit

But do we hold EU licences?

I recently renewed mine and it came complete with the Union flag.

Precisely Kanonier. Perhaps we fall through some sort of net.

Yep no EU license here, just a UK one.

Ok sorry. I didn't make it totally clear. UK and EU licences need to take these ''lessons''.

I see, does that include hiring a car as a resident as opposed to a tourist? I don't really see how they could tell the difference if you kept shtum?

I really have no idea on the law of it. However I am sure the insurance would be void if the law was broken. As I understand it if a residents permit (or whatever name is given to it) is held then a local licence is also required.

SuperMario wrote: ↑

Wed 25 Jan 2023 6:29 pm

I see, does that include hiring a car as a resident as opposed to a tourist? I don't really see how they could tell the difference if you kept shtum?

We were stopped once in a hire care as we had family over and my husband handed over his UK licence but they knew he had residency and wanted to see his TRNC licence.

SuperMario wrote: ↑

Wed 25 Jan 2023 6:29 pm

I see, does that include hiring a car as a resident as opposed to a tourist? I don't really see how they could tell the difference if you kept shtum?

Oh yes they do know the difference, everything is on computer nowadays. Better not to fall foul of any laws and get a local driving licence if and when you become a resident.
A good few years back, you would probably get away with it, knew several people who didn't have a local licence, doubt they would risk that now, especially when insurance wouldn't be covered. The other thing was that the foreigner would often get the blame in an accident, even if it wasn't their fault. With so many having dash cams nowadays, this has proved to be a big benefit to prove who was in the wrong.
If you are in any doubt about traffic related laws here, you can always pop into your local police station and ask. They really are very helpful and will keep you right.

TRNC driving licence applications suspended following new regulation



The TRNC are introducing a new procedure for Foreigners wishing to apply for a TRNC Driving Licence, described below. The Regulation was approved and published on 31st October, but it has not yet been implemented. Currently the Tax Office have suspended their new licence application service, until the new procedures are finalised. Any Foreigner (except Turkish Citizens) wishing to apply for a new TRNC licence must wait until the new process commences.

​

Once we have further information about the location and opening hours of the Driving Licence Renewal Unit we will update this post.



Taken from ''Resmi Gazete'', issued 31 October:

For 180 days from the date of entry of this (Amendment) Regulation,
the following rules are to be applied to foreign driving license holders :


(1) A person holding a valid driving license issued in a foreign country needs to have obtained a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus within the period specified in paragraph (3) of Article 45
Article 45 paragraph 3 states that this is within 1 month of losing visitor status in the TRNC.


(2) A valid driving licence issued in a foreign country other than the Republic of Turkey.
person needs to;


(A) Apply to the Driver's License Renewal Unit by submitting their current
driving license and pay the fee for a 5 (five) year TRNC driving license.

(B) Attend a driving school within one week from the date of application. The applicant must take driving lessons for a minimum of five days, where eight hours are day-time and two hours are night-time lessons.
These lessons are to be under the supervision of a driving school instructor and the vehicle used needs to one provided by the driving school.

(C) At the end of the five-day training period, the driving school will issue a signed and stamped document declaring that the lessons have been completed.
(Ç) The applicant needs to take the document obtained from the driving school and submit it together with the receipt received from the Driving Licence Renewal Unit and apply for a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus driving licence within one month.

​

2. This Regulation shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the Resmi (Official) Gazette.
Top

Are mopeds and scooters (petrol) covered by these rather bizarre new rules too?

alphamike wrote: ↑

Thu 26 Jan 2023 8:42 am

SuperMario wrote: ↑

Wed 25 Jan 2023 6:29 pm

I see, does that include hiring a car as a resident as opposed to a tourist? I don't really see how they could tell the difference if you kept shtum?

Oh yes they do know the difference, everything is on computer nowadays. Better not to fall foul of any laws and get a local driving licence if and when you become a resident.
A good few years back, you would probably get away with it, knew several people who didn't have a local licence, doubt they would risk that now, especially when insurance wouldn't be covered. The other thing was that the foreigner would often get the blame in an accident, even if it wasn't their fault. With so many having dash cams nowadays, this has proved to be a big benefit to prove who was in the wrong.
If you are in any doubt about traffic related laws here, you can always pop into your local police station and ask. They really are very helpful and will keep you right.

You'd probably only get away with it up to the point of having your residency visa issued I guess, being essentially still a tourist. Seems a bit unfair to differentiate between a tourist who brings very little to the economy compared to a resident. But hey ho ours is not to reason why.

SuperMario wrote: ↑

Thu 26 Jan 2023 12:36 pm

You'd probably only get away with it up to the point of having your residency visa issued I guess, being essentially still a tourist. Seems a bit unfair to differentiate between a tourist who brings very little to the economy compared to a resident. But hey ho ours is not to reason why.

Unfortunately, it's not quite as simple as that, you only get a certain number of days driving with your own country licence. I remember the old rules, but am sure there are new rules now, and can't remember them properly, so am not going to be saying anything that may or not be right. It's confusing enough here at times without me giving out possibly wrong info.

I see, thanks AM, we will be walking on eggshells!

SuperMario wrote: ↑

Fri 27 Jan 2023 9:57 am

I see, thanks AM, we will be walking on eggshells!

Look at Wanderer's post 21 for accurate details.

alphamike wrote: ↑

Fri 27 Jan 2023 10:08 am

SuperMario wrote: ↑

Fri 27 Jan 2023 9:57 am

I see, thanks AM, we will be walking on eggshells!

Look at Wanderer's post 21 for accurate details.

Yes I have. Any ideas on the effect re. mopeds and petrol scooters?

SuperMario, not a clue, long gone are my days of being on anything 2 wheeled.

alphamike wrote: ↑

Fri 27 Jan 2023 10:37 am

SuperMario, not a clue, long gone are my days of being on anything 2 wheeled.

LOL