conversion to TRNC driving licence

[gripon]

is it now possible to convert foreign driving licence to TRNC if so how also costs.

[Mimi2]

Now has to be done by contacting a driving school

[waddo]

Does that now include mainland Turkish driving licenses or can those who normally drive on the RHS just exchange their license to one here and drive on the LHS without any lessons or test?

[danny123]

hi, went for a trnc driving test early june for more info contact danny on 0533 8809004.

[Hair Cut]

It's just another money-gathering exercise.

If you hold a European driving licence, you will be more qualified than the person you're paying to get your TRNC licence.

[snd1966]

It's just another money-gathering exercise.

If you hold a European driving licence, you will be more qualified than the person you're paying to get your TRNC licence.

They maybe better qualified but lots of drivers their driving must deteriorate:) far too much impatience, lack of anticipation, lack of manners and pure arrogance behind the wheel in their metal cans which can kill.
I always surprised too when asked who do you use to test your eyes? So many forget basic eye tests

And yes I gather its only a money exchange now for a licence

[laptawrinkly]

The new rules introduced sometime ago required all 'foreigners' to undertake x amount of hours day time lessons and x at night. There would be no driving test. As some said at the time, a money generating exercise, as the local test, schooling etc standard was below what most UK, USA and European licence holders had to go through to get a licence.

The important point was all Turkish licence holders did not have to undertake this stage to get a TRNC licence; in fact I think they are excluded and can use their Turkish licences here now.

[waddo]

laptawrinkly, you may also remember that the day they passed that law there was a head on collision between two vehicles in the Karpas. Both drivers were mainland Turkish drivers and one of them was driving on the wrong side of the road! Proof positive that they did not need any form of test I guess!! It still happens today and I often find cars heading towards me on my own side of the road then rapidly taking avoiding action, this morning it was a blue builders truck as I was heading down over the mountain road and he was heading up on a tight corner on my side of the road, too fast and not paying attention - he missed me - JUST!!!

[laptawrinkly]

Absolutely Waddo. When we first moved here the Lefkosa road was single lane, at the time I was teaching at a University there. I thought then then the morning commute was bad enough, but compared to now, the roads and driving are much worse than ever. I simply avoid going out too much and as for trips to Girne, forget it unless absolutely necessary.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

They maybe better qualified but lots of drivers their driving must deteriorate:)

99% of drivers decline into bad habits but the test standard in the U.K. is very high. If the test standard is low and you decline into bad habits…..

[benjaminbutton]

When I moved here I believed I was a fairly well travelled person. Slowly but slowly for one reason or another, my horizons have shrunk to such an extent that taking my stuff to recycle at Sha is almost a day out and a drive to Turtle Beach is an excitement!! Pathetic really and the mountain road to Ercan is horrendous.

[Keithcaley]

When I moved here I believed I was a fairly well travelled person. Slowly but slowly for one reason or another, my horizons have shrunk to such an extent that taking my stuff to recycle at Sha is almost a day out and a drive to Turtle Beach is an excitement!! Pathetic really and the mountain road to Ercan is horrendous.

Forget the Mountain road!

They've built a lovely road which runs from the Lefkoşa road and bypasses Lefkoşa itself - here's a route from the Escape Beach roundabout.

You can zoom in to see more detail,,,

[snd1966]

They maybe better qualified but lots of drivers their driving must deteriorate:)

99% of drivers decline into bad habits but the test standard in the U.K. is very high. If the test standard is low and you decline into bad habits…..

I took my test in the uk in 1977!! I am sure I have bad habits but the basics drummed in. Double whites, brick wall, hug the kerb, keep your distance, watch sides of road and ahead, check rear view mirror and turning right move towards the middle of road turn on indicator as this enables move than the car tail gating you to see your intention

[Kanonier]

I am surprised at the amount of extremely high value vehicles on the road here don't have indicators fitted as standard.

[benjaminbutton]

Kanonier, a bit of tongue in the cheek there I see. You can also tell drivers who come from countries where roundabouts are NOT the norm.

[caulkhead]

If they were local they would know that roundabouts are where you park your car.

[waddo]

Over the years, the only thing that has impressed me about the driving here here is the ability of ‘most’ drivers to make way for ambulances and fire trucks! The normal driving actions - mirror, signal, maneuver have been reduced to swerve, block and horn! As every driver is the cousin of someone else driving, every driver expects their relative to give way for them! Swerve to the left hand side prior to turning right is normal, don’t indicate whilst on your phone or you may not be able to steer with your knees properly! I often wonder how the more diminutive drivers can actually see through the steering wheels of the large prestige vehicles they race around the narrow roads in! The country needs driving schools that use cars bigger than the small automatic ones the all use and bring in the P plate that indicates a new driver for the first year - at least that would give other drivers a warning that this vehicle was under the control of an inexperienced motorist!

[EnjoyingTheSun]

bring in the P plate that indicates a new driver for the first year - at least that would give other drivers a warning that this vehicle was under the control of an inexperienced motorist!

They improve after a year??

[Kanonier]

bring in the P plate that indicates a new driver for the first year - at least that would give other drivers a warning that this vehicle was under the control of an inexperienced motorist!

They improve after a year??

26 years in and I can't say I have encountered a marked improvement.

[alphamike]

bring in the P plate that indicates a new driver for the first year - at least that would give other drivers a warning that this vehicle was under the control of an inexperienced motorist!

They improve after a year??

26 years in and I can't say I have encountered a marked improvement.

On the contrary, it's got worse.

[waddo]

Nope, I did not say they would improve after a year! It would Just give drivers a "Heads Up" the the other vehicle is under the control of a new driver. Working on the theory that most Cypriot drivers will never remove the P plate anyway, because that would be additional work for them, I would expect to see the plates on the same vehicle for many, many years - lol. Of course the the super "Cool" people will instantly rip their plates off so they don't be seen as being inexperienced, maybe speed restriction equipment fitted to vehicles would work - not - in fact the only answer would not be to raise the minimum age for drivers as I have seen 4 and 5 year olds driving high value vehicles whilst sitting on the "Standby" drivers lap!!

Make all roads single lane with passing places - remove all speed limits - do away with the need for a license - no need for vehicle insurance, owner takes the risk and pays for own damage - add a £5000 once only, lifetime cost to all car purchases to cover road fund license - all sorts of stupid things can be done - but then most of them are already in place - lol.........

[alphamike]

Only problem with all of that Waddo, is that the numpties will still cause accidents, injuries and death to other road users.
There's a great deal to be said in favour of single track roads, which was practically the norm here not so long back. Everybody putt putted along with not a care in the world.
I've just been to and back, on road from Tatlisu to almost Ercan. 5 times I had to make avoidance tactics to evade being involved in an accident, 2 of which were on the mountain road on bendy bits. Am just glad to have made it home. A stiff coffee now in front of me and hopefully blood pressure will go down.

[SussexBoy]

"Inshallah" seems to the mantra when local drivers get into their cars! This means that you can drive like a bat out of hell, drive on the wrong side of the road, and overtake around bends! Not sure what non-locals' excuses are!