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🚘 Driving Licence & Eligibility
📌 Tourists & Short-Term Visitors
- Foreign licences (EU, UK, Turkey, etc.) are valid for up to 90 days.
- International driving permits are not required if the licence is in Latin characters.
- Rental agencies accept most foreign licences.
📄✅ Long-Term Stay / Residency
- After 90 days or upon registering residency, you must convert or register your licence.
- EU and UK licences can often be exchanged without testing, depending on origin.
- An eye test and doctor’s certificate are required.
📍 Authority
TRNC Traffic Department (Trafik Dairesi)
🔗 http://www.bub.gov.ct.tr
⛽ Fuel & Petrol Stations
- Fuel prices are state-regulated and updated weekly.
- Stations offer full service (no self-pumping).
- Common brands: Alpet, K-Pet, Total, Lukoil
🔗 Official prices
TRNC Ministry of Economy – Energy Department
🚌 Public Transport
🚐 Minibuses (Dolmuş)
- Widely used, informal public transport
- No fixed schedules — wave to board
- Prices: ~10–25 TL per trip
- Routes: e.g., Nicosia ↔ Kyrenia, Famagusta ↔ İskele
🚌 Official Bus Lines
Limited state-run bus services
Airport shuttle: KIBHAS
🔗 www.kibhas.org
🚕 Taxis & Local Apps
- No Uber/Bolt
- Meters are required but often unused
- confirm price in advance
- Night-time surcharge applies
🚦 Traffic Laws & Road Conditions
Standard Speed Limits
- 🏙️ Urban: 50 km/h
- 🛣️ Rural: 65–100 km/h
- 🔄 Roundabouts: Yield from the right (unlike most EU countries)
Other Key Rules
- Left-hand traffic (as in the UK)
- Seatbelts are mandatory
- Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited
- Speed cameras are widely used
🚦 Traffic Fines & Penalty Points
ℹ️ % of minimum wage (2025)
43,469 TL (e.g. 10% = 4,346.90 TL)
| 📝 Offense | 💸 Fine | ⚠️ Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 🏎️ ≤20 km/h over | 10% | 10 |
| 🏎️ 21–40 km/h over | 30% | 15 |
| 🏎️ 41–50 km/h over | 50% | 20 |
| 🏎️ >50 km/h over | 100% | 30 |
| ⚠️ Unsafe corner/parking | 10% | – |
| 🚫 Illegal parking (school/hospital) | 10% | 20 |
| 🔗 No seatbelt | 20% | 15 |
| 👶 No child seat | 20% | 15 |
| 🚖 No “T” transport permit | 200% | 50 |
| 🛑 Ignoring police stop sign | 100% | 100 |
| 📱 Phone while driving | 100% | 50 |
| 🧾 No road permit | 10% | – |
| 🚦 Red light (camera) | 20% | 30 |
| 🧍 Too many passengers | 15% | 10 |
| 🧍 Passengers outside seats | 20% | 15 |
| 🔍 No vehicle inspection | 10% | 10 |
| 🍔 Eating / view obstructed | 10% | 15 |
| 🚐 Taxi/minibus w/o “Z” permit | 25% | 20 |
| 🚙 Rental beyond permit | 15% | 10 |
| 🚬 Smoking/vaping | 5% | – |
| 💊 Drugs / impaired | 50% | 100 |
🍷 Influence of Alcohol (DUI)
Breath alcohol over 150 mg/100 ml (0.31‰ BAC) → court case
- ❌ No fixed fine – penalties decided by court
- 💸 Up to 15× minimum wage fine
- 🚫 Licence suspension up to 6 months
- ⚠️ Repeat offenses → stricter sanctions
- 👮 Multiple DUI offenses → court referral
❗ Point Thresholds & Consequences
🔢 At 50 points: warning or fine
⛔ At 100 points: licence suspended for 2 months
🔁 Repeat 100+ pts within 2 years → longer suspension or safety training
📅 Points expire after 12 months if no new violations
🌍 Tourists: not typically entered into the point system,
but serious violations (e.g. DUI) may lead to court & entry bans.
📄 Source: TRNC Ministry of Public Works & Transport — www.bub.gov.ct.tr
🚗 Vehicle Registration & Licence
🧾 Buying a Vehicle (as a Foreigner)
Foreigners with valid residence permits can own and register vehicles.
Registration is processed through the Traffic Department.
🔧 Vehicle Inspection (MOT)
Mandatory every 1–2 years, depending on vehicle type.
Performed at certified MOT centres.
🔤 Licence Plate Colors
⚪ White-on-black: Private vehicle
🔴 Red: Rental car
🔵 Blue: Diplomatic
🟢 Green: Tax-exempt (UN, NGOs)
📄 Vehicle Insurance
Third-party insurance is mandatory.
Policies must be issued by a licensed local insurance provider.
Recognised companies: Koop Sigorta, Iktisat, Universal Insurance, etc.
Driving into South Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus) requires special border insurance, available at crossing points (from ~€25/month).