Tom document crossing problems

[susiesusie]

Went to metehan crossing. Greek side said have you insurance and tom. I said yes. She then asked for them. Moaned to herself then took them off me and said I have to queue up for car inspection.
Went to desk who looked at me strangely then
he cane back and asked for license. As well as car kocan. They had everything else. Sternly he said who does this car belong to. Me I replied. He then kept my 12 month tom and gave me a day one.
No reason given . It appears if you are British that they ate recinding the 12month one. Many there of other nationalities being give 2 years Whils i was there.
It's a disgrace.
Why could they not just politely say. Sorry it's a mistake and give me the day one.
Good job I went today as was staying over at pathos Saturday in a hotel for the weekend travelling Saturday. Would have had it taken off me and wouldn't have been allowed to pass.

[waddo]

Good job they never asked me today then!! Won't go out or back in through Metahan anymore till my one years insurance runs out now!

[Mimi2]

We have a 1 year Tom. Our neighbours were give 2 years last week. All British. If you get a Pro Greek
boarder guard, your in trouble

[waddo]

If you get asked if you have insurance and a TOM at Metahan why not just say no TOM but have insurance. Then go get a 1 day TOM to satisfy the Greek guard and keep your 1 or 2 year TOM apart from your insurance. Don't forget that they can and do ask for your insurance and TOM on the way back out of the South as well so it's worth the hassle every now and then. I have asked at the insurance office if I get a new insurance certificate when I get a new TOM and they say I don't need to do that. I will play the game at all the gates anyway - lol.

[snd1966]

Why can't they charge us for the tax exemption certificate? Money in their coffers and I certainly rather pay than have to be there in their opening hours

[Keithcaley]

Why can't they charge us for the tax exemption certificate? Money in their coffers and I certainly rather pay than have to be there in their opening hours

snd - because the Political objective is to 'discourage' Aliens - anyone other than Cypriot-born individuals from settling in the 'Occupied Areas' as they refer to TRNC.

In other words, to make life as difficult as possible for anyone who supports the TRNC by any & all means available.

They don't care about the cost / loss of Revenue etc.

It's all about demonstrating that they (so they believe!) are the only true Authority in Cyprus - and if you choose to support the TRNC, you will suffer inconvenience/hardship

[snd1966]

Thanks Keith, sometimes I feel I have lived here too long and just forget Gary's answer to everything I grumble about the whole island. It's because they can, stop grumbling, and enjoy your life!

[benjaminbutton]

Perhaps you could pick up a few Estate Agents brochures and scatter them say you were thinking of moving to the south and are house hunting. I get inundated with Estate Agent blurb on YouTube which I have to keep deleting. When I first made a trip to Crete (which I love) years ago I learned about 12 phrases and they took me all over the island. Good morning, Good evening, Good night, Hello , are you well? How are you, Please, Thank you, How Much, No thank you. That was long before most of them spoke English and it got me all over the place. I haven't been down South for nearly ten years now, but I thought they wanted our cash and would encourage us to spend.

[a1sysman]

I renewed my TOM on Tuesday, from one year about to expire to a two year TOM.

There is a printed notice on the office door stating TCs and european citizens to be issued two year TOMs, UK citizens: one day (for clarification: only valid till midnight on the day of issue).

There is a further copy of this printed notice below the window.

I noted the printed notice dated September 2024. This official change from one year to two year TOMs seems to have been implemented quietly without press publication on this side - unless l missed it. Yes, had heard of people getting two year TOMs but these seemed to be hit or miss events.

So, if a UK citizen’s (passport holder) TOM application slips through as a two year issue then think yourself lucky. The two years will have been issued in error and could be withdrawn / confiscated at any time - not that it is a frequent check at Metehan - at least in my experience, and we cross frequently. Documents checked every time we cross at Bostanı and Lefke, so be aware.

I received an apology from the Metehan TOM issuing guy when l pointed out to him the one day document he issued me was an error on his part as l hold an Irish (european) passport. The one day document was immediately withdrawn and l was issued with a two year TOM. No drama and all very amicable.

It’s all about the passport issuer (UK, EU or TC) not the country issued driving licence in the documents presented when applying for the vehicle TOM determining whether its a one day or two years TOM issue.

[frugal90]

Has anyone contacted the UK government about this?
Maybe ROC citizens should only get a one day pass to drive in the UK?

[RJW]

You must be joking Frugal .The Uk Government allow anyone with a international license to drive for a year before they are supposed to get a UK License. Insurance ,another story ,only get caught generally if in accident .We cant even police our borders and Starmer and Co are not helping to protect the Country cutting back on our military etc but can fund the individuals who are of no benefit to the UK. The GREAT has gone from Britain ,no doubt helped by the woke society ,time to take a tip from Trump.

[snd1966]

They have the same problem in Gibraltar with crossing to Spain 90 days in 180 etc but Gibraltar is recognised so assume they can get a TOM

[susiesusie]

As I stated on my original sl post.. it's the lack of politeness. ..rudeness by the lady at the desk. No need to treat me like a criminal. Just say sorry but you have been given it in error and then send me to get a day one. No need to lie to me .very ignorant.

[snd1966]

As I stated on my original sl post.. it's the lack of politeness. ..rudeness by the lady at the desk. No need to treat me like a criminal. Just say sorry but you have been given it in error and then send me to get a day one. No need to lie to me .very ignorant.

When I am at receiving end of this attitude, I always say to myself ah language problem, English is not their first language therefore in this case all they had to get across You are not entitled to this.

[Mollie the cat]

We have just returned from the South. Went to the tom office and politely asked if we could have a year, the guy checked the computer and said, I gave you a year last July, obviously we must have missed that. He duly printed out another valid until July, so that was a bonus.

[dynamic]

We went across on Thursday and told the same at the TOM office. He duly printed it off again and it is valid until July 2025.