TRNC driving licence

Cally · Post by **Cally** » Fri 01 Jun 2018 6:25 pm

I've taken this from a friends fb, she lives in TRNC & has just had the shock of her life......

*Warning* If you live out here and are driving without a turkish licence GET ONE. I've just had a car accident, which wasn't my fault and because of this, I have to pay the damages on both vehicles and luckly escaped a fine and points on my licence.... Absolute joke! So upset x

Does anyone have any update on licences, I had heard about change but not that laws had been passed

Thank you

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 01 Jun 2018 6:43 pm

Don't think there has been any change to existing law. Your EU/UK licence is good for 90 days only. If you are here or here cumulatively for more than 90 days in any rolling 365 days then you should - by law - have a TRNC driving licence. This has been true for the past 11 years for sure and don't think anything has changed on it. Normally most people try to ignore it on the "It will never happen to me" system but every now and then and more so NOW it is happening. The law has arrived in the TRNC and it is starting to be used.

Cally · Post by **Cally** » Fri 01 Jun 2018 7:28 pm

Thank you Waddo

Hedge-fund · Post by **Hedge-fund** » Fri 01 Jun 2018 8:43 pm

How do you get a trnc licence please?

ttoli · Post by **ttoli** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 12:57 am

Hedge-fund wrote:How do you get a trnc licence please?

Try the search bar , lazy bugger

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 4:01 am

Sorry to hear about your friend and I do hope that she was not hurt.

Not knowing the law is not an excuse, we have been here for 17 years and was told back then that we needed a TRNC licence if you planned on being here for more than 90 days at any one time same as you need to do temporary residency if you plan to stay here for the same time period.

Your car insurance may well be invalid if you do not adhere to the law and do not change to a local licence after 90 days it is illegal and ultimately stupid.

alphamike · Post by **alphamike** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 4:47 am

Hedge-fund wrote:How do you get a trnc licence please?

Info on BRS site, last updated July 2017, so things may well have changed, especially price.
http://www.brstrnc.com/index.php/lifest ... rth-cyprus

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 5:46 am

To obtain a TRNC driving licence you need to apply for temporary residency at have approved at least once... this where so many expats have been misled by 'nod and a wink' brigade who advocate 'not bothering with all that nonsense and save yourself some money! ' Well that advice does not look so clever now. It was never going to end well.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 5:51 am

b) A photocopy of the temporary residency stamp page in passport, if the passport does not have a temporary residency stamp a Muhtars residency letter is required – a nominal fee of TL10.00 is usually charged for this service.

Taken from the BRS Website

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 7:12 am

TRNC D.L's are worth their weight in gold for loads of other things, the main one being if you are asked for ID. Time and time again over the last 13 years + I've explained that I don't carry PP around with me. "have you a DL?" Produced it and all OK, as you know it has photo ID and your PP number on the back. Anyone who drives out here for any length of time but doesn't obtain one is totally bonkers I think.

kerry 6138 · Post by **kerry 6138** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 7:44 am

The Driving schools will do the application for you, for a small fee.

Cally · Post by **Cally** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 8:59 am

Thanks for input everyone, my friend was unhurt as such but the verbal onslaught from the female driver who was at fault shocked her more than the accident.
I'm not sure why she didn't have a TRNC licence, she also works there, but hopefully the post has raised some awareness......

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 9:30 am

Keithcaley wrote:b) A photocopy of the temporary residency stamp page in passport, if the passport does not have a temporary residency stamp a Muhtars residency letter is required – a nominal fee of TL10.00 is usually charged for this service.

Taken from the BRS Website

So total b*llox then....

snd1966 · Post by **snd1966** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 9:37 am

Groucho wrote:
Keithcaley wrote:b) A photocopy of the temporary residency stamp page in passport, if the passport does not have a temporary residency stamp a Muhtars residency letter is required – a nominal fee of TL10.00 is usually charged for this service.

Taken from the BRS Website
So total b*llox then....

if you are over 60 i believe this does apply but under 60 you have to have a work permit or residency or live here 90 days in one year!

Dawnie1 · Post by **Dawnie1** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 11:18 am

Hubby and I got TRNC driving licences last year. He was over 60, me under 60. It was sufficient to have mukhtars letter for hubby,
I had to produce our title deeds as well, to prove I owned a house here, you don’t have to have residency, we are not residents, we come and go.

kerry 6138 · Post by **kerry 6138** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 11:32 am

Dawnie1 wrote:Hubby and I got TRNC driving licences last year. He was over 60, me under 60. It was sufficient to have mukhtars letter for hubby,
I had to produce our title deeds as well, to prove I owned a house here, you don’t have to have residency, we are not residents, we come and go.

Dawnie1 if your stay in a year doesnt add upto 90 days you dont need residency or TRNC licences, if its more you should have both.
There are few official permanent resident expats the majority are only recognised by the government has temporary residents.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 1:47 pm

Dont need residency to get a licence a muhtars letter is enough.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 5:05 pm

Deniz1 wrote:Dont need residency to get a licence a muhtars letter is enough.

Very few expatriates have any form of 'residency'. The vast majority have "visitor" appended to their annual/biannual passport stamp, which is sufficient. However, other than being pedantic, and why not for accuracy's sake, the TRNC DL process is quite simple, as previous posters have indicated. Safe driving all.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 02 Jun 2018 7:06 pm

tomsteel, agree but most people tend to think of the lost cost of buying a license!!! If you buy a TRNC license you might die before you have had your moneys worth is the common saying, that is also true of the "visitor" permit and why a lot don't do it. Yet the same people are happy to spend on beer and fags (I am one who spends on fags and the odd beer), gets on my nerves so it does - rant over!! Apologies to all those who have always tried to stay within the law of this land but no sympathy for those who try to bend/beat the system and get caught out. As my old military boss used to say "There is no excuse for not knowing what is right and what is wrong".

snd1966 · Post by **snd1966** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 5:36 am

waddo wrote:tomsteel, agree but most people tend to think of the lost cost of buying a license!!! If you buy a TRNC license you might die before you have had your moneys worth is the common saying, that is also true of the "visitor" permit and why a lot don't do it. Yet the same people are happy to spend on beer and fags (I am one who spends on fags and the odd beer), gets on my nerves so it does - rant over!! Apologies to all those who have always tried to stay within the law of this land but no sympathy for those who try to bend/beat the system and get caught out. As my old military boss used to say "There is no excuse for not knowing what is right and what is wrong".

This reminds me
We have just bought 10 years , well January feels like yesterday and I did ask at the time in a bar (witnesses) my husband who does like a drink and smokes whether he will make good use of it or I would buy a 5 year one. Every time he mentions health now I remind him of his promise!

snd1966 · Post by **snd1966** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 5:41 am

Dawnie1 wrote:Hubby and I got TRNC driving licences last year. He was over 60, me under 60. It was sufficient to have mukhtars letter for hubby,
I had to produce our title deeds as well, to prove I owned a house here, you don’t have to have residency, we are not residents, we come and go.

Out of interest anyone under 60 and not married got a licence? own house or rent is this another issue?

This year I applied with a copy of my passport and beyaz kimlik and noticed the details are my kimlik which seems to be only recognised by certain departments here. The police for another incident say this is not right therefore I think I will drive carefully for the next 9 1/2 years

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 9:35 am

Notwithstanding the holding of a TRNC Driver's licence... My issue with having no visitor stamp in your passport is this.... it's not what the law says... not having one is a concession not enshrined in legislation and is as yet untested as a legal argument in court. If the TRNC was honest about this they would change the law - until they do, anyone involved in a road traffic accident with a local could find themselves on the wrong end of a strict interpretation of the law... e.g. you've been here over 90 days and have not applied for a visitor's stamp so you are here illegally, should not therefore be on road and are to be deported... OK worst case scenario - but I have no wish to test the theory...

Dawnie1 · Post by **Dawnie1** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 10:56 am

Kerry I know the 90 day rule and yes I am here for more than that in any 365 days, hence the need for TRNC licence.

kerry 6138 · Post by **kerry 6138** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 1:16 pm

Dawnie1 wrote:Kerry I know the 90 day rule and yes I am here for more than that in any 365 days, hence the need for TRNC licence.

apologies Dawnie1 i read your post has not needing residency because you come and go less than 90 days.

kerry 6138 · Post by **kerry 6138** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 1:34 pm

Groucho wrote:Notwithstanding the holding of a TRNC Driver's licence... My issue with having no visitor stamp in your passport is this.... it's not what the law says... not having one is a concession not enshrined in legislation and is as yet untested as a legal argument in court. If the TRNC was honest about this they would change the law - until they do, anyone involved in a road traffic accident with a local could find themselves on the wrong end of a strict interpretation of the law... e.g. you've been here over 90 days and have not applied for a visitor's stamp so you are here illegally, should not therefore be on road and are to be deported... OK worst case scenario - but I have no wish to test the theory...

In Callys original post it reads to me ike the insurance company have interpreted her friends lack of licence has the reason not to pay out, it could have done the same had she not got a residence stamp in her passport.
The Police never issued any fines for non compliance of the rules?

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 7:56 pm

kerry 6138 wrote:
Groucho wrote:Notwithstanding the holding of a TRNC Driver's licence... My issue with having no visitor stamp in your passport is this.... it's not what the law says... not having one is a concession not enshrined in legislation and is as yet untested as a legal argument in court. If the TRNC was honest about this they would change the law - until they do, anyone involved in a road traffic accident with a local could find themselves on the wrong end of a strict interpretation of the law... e.g. you've been here over 90 days and have not applied for a visitor's stamp so you are here illegally, should not therefore be on road and are to be deported... OK worst case scenario - but I have no wish to test the theory...
In Callys original post it reads to me ike the insurance company have interpepreted her friends lack of licence has the reason not to pay out, it could have done the same had she not got a stamp in her passport.
The Police never issued any fines for non compliance of the rules?

Well it never went to court... if it had maybe the outcome would be otherwise.

kerry 6138 · Post by **kerry 6138** » Sun 03 Jun 2018 10:54 pm

Groucho I was questioning why the Police didnt issue a fine / summons for not having licence, this is why some people choose not to follow the rules because they are not enforced.
If you require a TRNC licence you should have at least one residency stamp in your passport regadless of age,so the fact that you can use other documents for the DL applicationi is not the government saying you dont need visa./ work permit
However the lack of enforcement means some take a chance, only when things go wrong as in the original post case do you leave yoursef open to problems.

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Mon 04 Jun 2018 7:45 am

kerry 6138 wrote:Groucho I was questioning why the Police didnt issue a fine / summons for not having licence, this is why some people choose not to follow the rules because they are not enforced.
If you require a TRNC licence you should have at least one residency stamp in your passport regadless of age,so the fact that you can use other documents for the DL applicationi is not the government saying you dont need visa./ work permit
However the lack of enforcement means some take a chance, only when things go wrong as in the original post case do you leave yoursef open to problems.

My point exactly.... all those who advocate not bothering to others are only encouraging them to be a hostage to fortune. As always in life - it's only when things go pear-shaped that such matters become clear. The law will say nothing about mukhtar's letters and not needing a stamp in your passport but there are still those who 'trust' the TRNC Gov't when they allow them to go without being in strict accordance with the law... but when the SH1T hits the fan they will simply shrug and retreat leaving the expat totally exposed to possible fines, imprisonment or expulsion or all three!

Ah well penny-wise pound foolish as they say...

EnjoyingTheSun · Post by **EnjoyingTheSun** » Mon 04 Jun 2018 9:46 am

kerry 6138 wrote: this is why some people choose not to follow the rules because they are not enforced.

It's playing the odds and risk versus reward.

Would you shop lift if there is a 1 in a 1000 chance of getting caught?

Would you still shop lift if you do get caught but get a small fine or a suspended sentence?

Would you shop lift if there is a very small chance of getting caught but if you do you'll do five years in a very nasty prison?

Some people self police because they have a moral compass some play the odds.

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Wed 06 Jun 2018 8:36 am

I have renewed my driving licence today and this is what I needed. Someone on here said that I needed Mukhtar letter which I got but didn't need it, time and money wasted.
So I am over 60, no longer have temp residency stamp.
What I needed :-
Licence application form
2 photographs
Photo copy of passport
old licence
fee.
Hope this helps anyone requiring a renewal, by the way it's a minimum of 2 years.

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Wed 06 Jun 2018 9:15 am

Steve C wrote:I have renewed my driving licence today and this is what I needed. Someone on here said that I needed Mukhtar letter which I got but didn't need it, time and money wasted.
So I am over 60, no longer have temp residency stamp.
What I needed :-
Licence application form
2 photographs
Photo copy of passport
old licence
fee.
Hope this helps anyone requiring a renewal, by the way it's a minimum of 2 years.

I don't doubt that you have got a driving licence... they want your money... but what happens if you end up in court following a RTA? You have no stamp in your passport.. the law as it stands says you must have one if you don't have a kimlik.... which you don't. What then?

If I was the local who crashed into you I would hope and expect that my lawyer would argue that you not having a stamp in your passport renders you in the eyes of the law 'illegally' over-stayed and should not therefore be in Cyprus let alone on the road so the accident must be your fault....

Although this is conjecture, this scenario not having been tested in court, I think hand-on-heart, we all ought to know how this would play out... there have been enough instances of rough justice meted out to expats involved in rtas with locals to tell us which way the wind blows...

Chriswright03 · Post by **Chriswright03** » Wed 06 Jun 2018 2:12 pm

What is this with stamp in your passport? We are here for the third time now and intend to stay. We have never ever had a stamp in our passport. Is it not just recorded electronically now?

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Wed 06 Jun 2018 2:59 pm

Chriswright03 wrote:What is this with stamp in your passport? We are here for the third time now and intend to stay. We have never ever had a stamp in our passport. Is it not just recorded electronically now?

If you are intending to be here continuously for more than 90 days, then you need to apply for a 1 (or 2) Year Visitor's Visa (often called 'Residency', which it isn't ) - which is recorded in your Passport - with a stamp!

Chriswright03 · Post by **Chriswright03** » Wed 06 Jun 2018 5:09 pm

Thanks for that Keith. I have every intention of applying for residency or whatever they choose to call it even though we are both over 60. Just concerned about the mention of a stamp in our passport which neither of us have.

snd1966 · Post by **snd1966** » Thu 07 Jun 2018 5:06 am

Steve C wrote:I have renewed my driving licence today and this is what I needed. Someone on here said that I needed Mukhtar letter which I got but didn't need it, time and money wasted.
So I am over 60, no longer have temp residency stamp.
What I needed :-
Licence application form
2 photographs
Photo copy of passport
old licence
fee.
Hope this helps anyone requiring a renewal, by the way it's a minimum of 2 years.

You were renewing; I believe before we were all talking about first time applications or I know I was

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Thu 07 Jun 2018 7:43 am

Chriswright03, Not to put to fine a point on it but - you are here for the third time and intend to stay!!! So what do you know about the country and what you need to do to stay here within the law? Can I suggest that a lot of research is needed before you step outside your house again. I know that everybody moans and groans about the BRS - and I am one of them even though I am a member - but there is a lot of useful (sometimes out of date) information on there, including this:http://www.brstrnc.com/index.php/lifest ... june-2017-

Need help - ask, but don't take the first answer - lol.

Good luck.

Chriswright03 · Post by **Chriswright03** » Thu 07 Jun 2018 12:32 pm

Hi Waddo. What do I know about the Country? Well not as much as I could I will grant you but we do have friends here who have been here for nearly 10 years and they have helped us an enormous amount.

I do research stuff myself and have spent a fair amount of time reading up on stuff on here. Problem I find is that very often people will quote something as fact when it is really only their understanding of the situation in respect of the law. As an example not on here but elsewhere someone asked the age old question about importing a car from the UK to here. The answers included you can't unless it is less than three years old followed by you can't unless you have owned it for five years! So not only confusing but really of no help whatsoever.

With regards to the BRS we arrived here on the Friday and jpined at the first opportunity on the next Monday. I have used that site for research as well.

So yes we intend to stay because we like it here and we intend to do it properly as per the rules of the Country.

As you say if in doubt ask which is what I did in my post above when people are talking about a stamp in the passport and I never have had one.

cambridge · Post by **cambridge** » Fri 08 Jun 2018 5:27 pm

Surprising that this has not been a major topic. There would appear lots of people over 60yrs not bothering with their
" residency stamp " if one hears the gossip correctly. I just feel that if there is not a law to exempt Expats at 60yrs from the need for a " residency stamp " then you should comply. After all does it not show your desire to live and abide by the rules, however you may feel, of the country you have chisen to live in.

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Fri 08 Jun 2018 7:30 pm

"Residency Renewals for Over 60s’ Only

13. The concession allowing those British residents aged over 60 to come and go without residency requirements has been the subject of much confusion for the ex-pat community for a considerable period of time. Hopefully the following information will prove useful.

· This concession for the over 60’s is not legally binding. Therefore a TRNC government can cancel this arrangement at any time.

· Anyone seeking permanent residency must, currently, have five consecutive annual residency stamps in their passport. Anyone choosing not to renew will not obtain a residency stamp and this may make them ineligible to obtain permanent residency.

· We are not aware of an immigration problem that has arisen for British residents aged over 60 leaving and entering the TRNC without a residency stamp in their passport. If you are concerned about this approach you can download a copy of a fax that was issued to the immigration staff to confirm this arrangement. This document can be obtained from the “Forms” section of the Members Only section of our website.

· There is no link between a residency stamp in your passport and obtaining a TRNC driving licence. If you don’t have a residency stamp in your passport when applying for a TRNC driving licence you will need a Mukhtar’s letter to confirm your place of residence.

14. In summary, there is a current residency concession to those aged 60 or over but no one knows how long this will last. Continuing to renew your residency using the simplified procedure outlined below does provide a ‘belt ‘n braces approach and makes the process much easier. However, in the same way the BRS will not endorse a company or product, we do not offer advice on this topic and members should examine their own particular circumstances and make their own decision accordingly."

It seems to me that the salient sentence is the last one in that the BRS don't want any comeback should it go pear-shaped. As this concession has no legal standing - it is not worth the risk.... as previously stated if the TRNC Govt. were honest brokers they would amend the law.

kerry 6138 · Post by **kerry 6138** » Fri 08 Jun 2018 11:57 pm

Has the advice for over 60s consession appears to be for renewals. what are the rules if you are over 60 when you decide to come and stay?

alphamike · Post by **alphamike** » Sat 09 Jun 2018 3:43 am

kerry 6138 wrote:Has the advice for over 60s consession appears to be for renewals. what are the rules if you are over 60 when you decide to come and stay?

I would go and check with immigration to be on the safe side. I heard or read (may have been on here, but cannot remember) of such an instance, and the person was told they would need to do temporary residency for the first time, but wouldn't need to do it afterwards (presumably due to this "gentlemens agreement" for the over 60's). This is complete hearsay, so hence better to check for yourself with immigration.

Am still in the under 60's but not for long. I fully intend to keep on doing temporary residency when I hit 60, but at least then, can go for 2 year permit, rather than 1 year. I don't like the idea of relying on something that is not actually written down in law, no matter than many tell me that it's perfectly ok, and if the agreement is rescinded, then we can start up temporary residency again. Perhaps, but if something goes wrong, I don't want to be the one testing it out in court.

The driving licence issue is another that folk risk. I don't understand it, you wouldn't expect to drive in the UK, or any other country without getting a valid driving licence, why risk it here? The people staying here permanently totally do so at their own risk, and should know better. I think those that might get caught out though, are the ones who come back and forward on a 90 day visitors visa, several times a year, and go over the actual 90 full days in one year here, thinking that they will be covered by UK or other driving licence.

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sat 09 Jun 2018 5:26 am

kerry 6138 wrote:Has the advice for over 60s consession appears to be for renewals. what are the rules if you are over 60 when you decide to come and stay?

In short the law says you must have residency and a TRNC Driver's licence... it says nothing about concessions excusing over 60's from either... so to be legal you need both... Whilst Alphamike's advice might seem reasonable I would caution - don't trust immigration officials to give you correct legal advice as it changes depending on their mood and who you speak to and if it does turn out that they have sold you a pup they will simply shrug and deny any blame...

Remember, ignorance of the law is not a defence. Neither is the ignorance of the immigration official.

judyvin · Post by **judyvin** » Tue 12 Jun 2018 6:19 am

Friends have just moved here and wish to apply for their TRNC driving licence. Does this, their first one, still have to be applied for in Lefkosia? I had to go there 8 years ago but I renew mine at the tax office in Gine.

jayceebee · Post by **jayceebee** » Tue 12 Jun 2018 10:22 am

judyvin wrote:Friends have just moved here and wish to apply for their TRNC driving licence. Does this, their first one, still have to be applied for in Lefkosia? I had to go there 8 years ago but I renew mine at the tax office in Gine.

I used Ozbek Driving School in Girne near the Police Station & Market to get mine.

They charge you for doing so but it means not having to go to Lefkosia.

It took about 3 weeks.

dalaman · Post by **dalaman** » Thu 28 Jun 2018 2:06 pm

as they don’t process 1st time applications for a driving licence in girne, we will have to go to lefkosa, can someone please give me address and directions from girne
thank you

Chriswright03 · Post by **Chriswright03** » Thu 28 Jun 2018 2:40 pm

If you have a look on the British Residents Society there are directions on there.

http://www.brstrnc.com/index.php/lifest ... rth-cyprus

dalaman · Post by **dalaman** » Thu 28 Jun 2018 3:09 pm

that’s great
thanks

frontalman · Post by **frontalman** » Thu 28 Jun 2018 9:19 pm

Groucho wrote:To obtain a TRNC driving licence you need to apply for temporary residency at have approved at least once... this where so many expats have been misled by 'nod and a wink' brigade who advocate 'not bothering with all that nonsense and save yourself some money! ' Well that advice does not look so clever now. It was never going to end well.

Not true Gavin if you're over 60. I know of at least one person who has obtained a TRNC licence without ever having residency.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Fri 29 Jun 2018 5:02 am

frontalman wrote:...I know of at least one person...

...although as we often say in TRNC..."Your mileage may differ!"

jimm · Post by **jimm** » Fri 29 Jun 2018 6:57 am

I did not need temporary residency to get my TRNC licence, I am over 60

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