Cyprus Driving Licence Changes: Mandatory Lessons From 14 September 2026

Key Takeaways:

• From 14 September 2026, Cyprus will not conduct a practical driving test unless the candidate presents a certificate of completed driving school lessons.
• Candidates need 5–10 mandatory lessons depending on the licence category — for Category B (car), the minimum is 10 lessons with a certified instructor.
• Fail the practical exam and you must complete 5 additional lessons before you can take it again.
• The requirement applies to categories A1, A2, A, B and B+E. The theory test is unchanged.
• Cyprus road deaths rose about 10% in 2025 — one of the pressures behind the tightening rules.
• The cheapest part of the process is still the one you can prepare for free — practise the Cyprus theory test on ExamReady.

Getting a driving licence in Cyprus is about to involve a lot more time behind the wheel — officially. From 14 September 2026, the Road Transport Department (TOM) will not administer a practical driving exam unless the candidate presents proof of completing a set number of lessons at a certified driving school, as reported by AlphaNews in July 2026. For most learners, that means ten documented lessons before test day — and five more after every failed attempt.

What Changes on 14 September 2026?

The rule is simple: no certificate, no practical exam. From 14 September 2026, every candidate in the affected categories must complete a minimum number of lessons — between 5 and 10, depending on the category — at a licensed driving school before they can sit the practical test. The driving school issues a certificate of completion, and examiners will require it as a condition of taking the exam.

The requirement covers five licence categories:

Category	What it covers	Minimum age	Mandatory lessons
A1	Motorcycles up to 125cc / 11kW	17.5	5–10 (exact number pending)
A2	Motorcycles up to 35kW	20	5–10 (exact number pending)
A	Unrestricted motorcycles	22 (with 2 years on A2) or 24	5–10 (exact number pending)
B	Cars up to 3,500kg, up to 8 passengers	17.5	10
B+E	Category B vehicle with trailer	17.5	5–10 (exact number pending)

The Road Transport Department is expected to publish a detailed table with the exact lesson count for each category. So far, only Category B's minimum of ten lessons has been stated publicly. Until now, fixed statutory minimums existed only for the most powerful motorcycle categories — 17 lessons — while car candidates faced no comparable nationwide lesson mandate.

What Happens If You Fail the Practical Test?

Here's the part that changes the economics of test day: a failed practical exam now carries a built-in cost beyond the retest fee. Candidates who fail must complete 5 additional driving school lessons before they're allowed to book another attempt. Every fail adds paid instruction time, scheduling delays and — given driving school availability — potentially weeks of waiting.

That makes first-time preparation worth real money. Cyprus practical test candidates are routinely failed for things they could have drilled in advance: pre-drive vehicle checks, verbal road-rule questions and observation habits. Our guides to the pre-drive vehicle checks and the practical test's oral questions cover exactly what examiners ask.

The theory side is unaffected by the new rules — but it's still the first gate. The Cyprus theory exam is a short oral test, and you can practise realistic Cyprus theory questions free on ExamReady until you're consistently passing before you spend a cent on lessons.

Why Is Cyprus Tightening Its Driving Test Rules?

Road safety, mostly — and a reform that's been in the pipeline for years. Cyprus recorded 46 road deaths in 2025, up from 42 in 2024 — roughly a 10% increase in a year when road deaths across the EU fell by 3% (European Commission, 2026). At 46 deaths per million inhabitants, Cyprus now sits above the EU average of 43.

Young drivers are central to the concern. Drivers and riders under 24 account for more than a quarter of Cyprus's road deaths, and motorcyclists for around 30%, according to figures cited by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades (Cyprus Mail, May 2026). The lessons mandate targets exactly the point where those drivers enter the system: initial training.

The idea itself isn't new. As far back as 2020, the Road Transport Department's deputy director Yiannis Nikolaidis told lawmakers that ten practical lessons represented "a reasonable minimum" for preparing new drivers, with driving school certification as a condition for exam eligibility. The same 2020 discussions floated GPS tracking of practical exam routes to make assessments more transparent — a measure that has been proposed but not confirmed as part of the September 2026 rules.

Part of a Bigger 2026 Licensing Overhaul

The lessons mandate is the second big licensing change to land in Cyprus this year. Since 1 July 2026, learner motorcyclists in categories AM, A1, A2 and A may only ride under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor following in a separate vehicle, wearing mandatory protective gear — helmet, reflective vest, long trousers, closed shoes, knee and elbow pads, and gloves. Working as a food-delivery rider on a learner's permit is now explicitly prohibited.

These changes stem from the Driving Licence (Amendment) Law of 2023, whose learner provisions took effect in mid-2026 after a postponement. The government's broader Strategic Action Plan to 2030 adds stricter probationary licences for new drivers and more 30 km/h urban zones — so September's rules are unlikely to be the last word.

What Should Learner Drivers Do Now?

If you're already in the licensing process, the calendar matters. Here's the practical read:

1. Ready for your practical test? Book it as early as you can. The Road Transport Department has previously reported waiting lists of 3–4 months for practical tests, and demand may spike as the September deadline approaches. A test taken before 14 September 2026 doesn't require the lesson certificate.
2. Just starting? Assume the new rules will apply to you. Pass the theory test first — here's how to prepare — then plan for at least ten driving school lessons before your Category B practical.
3. Partway through lessons? Keep records. The certificate from a certified driving school becomes your ticket to the exam, so make sure your instructor documents every lesson.
4. Budgeting? Factor in the retake rule. Five extra mandatory lessons after a fail means an unprepared attempt costs far more than the test fee. Our booking, cost and documents guide breaks down the current fees.

One open question: the announcements so far don't spell out transitional arrangements for candidates who are mid-process on 14 September. If that's you, confirm your situation with your driving school or the Road Transport Department before relying on the old rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the new Cyprus driving licence rules take effect?

On 14 September 2026. From that date, the Road Transport Department will not conduct a practical driving exam unless the candidate presents a certificate showing they completed the mandatory lessons at a certified driving school.

How many driving lessons are required for a Category B licence in Cyprus?

A minimum of 10 lessons with a certified driving school instructor. Other affected categories — A1, A2, A and B+E — require between 5 and 10 lessons, with the exact per-category numbers expected in a detailed table from the Road Transport Department.

What happens if I fail the Cyprus practical driving test under the new rules?

You must complete 5 additional driving school lessons before you can retake the exam. Combined with test fees and waiting times, that makes each failed attempt significantly more expensive than before — and first-time preparation more valuable.

Do the new rules change the Cyprus theory test?

No. The theory exam — a short oral test on road rules and signs — is unchanged. It remains the first step, and you can practise Cyprus theory questions free on ExamReady before booking it.

I already hold a learner's licence — do the new rules apply to me?

If your practical test takes place on or after 14 September 2026, expect to need the lesson certificate. Official guidance on transitional cases hasn't been published yet, so confirm with your driving school or the Road Transport Department.