How to Renew Your Cyprus Driving Licence (2026)

Key Takeaways

• A standard Cyprus car/motorcycle licence (categories AM, A, B and similar) is valid for 15 years; heavy-vehicle categories (C, D and similar) are valid for 5 years.
• From age 70, ordinary licences renew every 3 years and require a medical certificate (form TOM 153B) confirming fitness to drive.
• The renewal fee is around €40, and renewal is free for drivers aged 65 and over.
• You renew in person at a Road Transport Department (RTD) office or a Citizen Service Centre (KEP) using application form TOM 7.
• Your licence must be valid to drive — renew before it expires (you can usually apply in the final month before the expiry date).

Renewing a Cyprus driving licence is a straightforward errand for most drivers — but the rules change with your age and licence type, and the requirements for older drivers catch people out. This guide covers how long your licence lasts, when a medical is needed, what it costs, and exactly how to renew.

How Long Is a Cyprus Driving Licence Valid?

Validity depends on the licence category. For everyday drivers holding car and motorcycle categories (AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1, BE), a Cyprus licence is valid for 15 years from the date of issue. For heavy-vehicle categories (C, C1, CE, D, D1, DE and similar), the validity is shorter at 5 years, reflecting the additional medical oversight those categories require.

When your licence approaches its expiry date, you renew it rather than re-sitting any test — provided your entitlement is unbroken. The photocard shows its own expiry date, so check it well ahead of time.

Renewal Rules by Age

Age is the biggest factor in how often you renew and whether you need a medical. The key threshold for ordinary drivers is 70.

Drivers aged 70 and over

From age 70, an ordinary licence is issued for 3 years at a time rather than 15, and each renewal requires a medical certificate (form TOM 153B) signed by a doctor confirming you are fit to drive. This shorter cycle keeps older drivers' fitness under regular review.

Heavy-vehicle drivers from 65

For lorry and bus categories (C, CE, D, D1 and similar), a medical health certificate is generally required from age 65, on top of the standard 5-year renewal for those categories.

A note on the 65–70 window: some sources describe more frequent medical checks for ordinary drivers from 65 rather than 70. Because guidance varies, if you are over 65 it's worth confirming your exact renewal interval and whether a medical is needed directly with your RTD district office before you apply.

How Much Does Renewal Cost?

The renewal fee for a full licence is approximately €40 for drivers under 65. For drivers aged 65 and over, renewal is free. As with all official fees, confirm the current amount when you apply, since fees can be revised.

How to Renew Your Cyprus Licence: Step by Step

Renewal is done in person and is usually completed in a single visit. Here's the process:

1. Complete application form TOM 7 — the standard driving-licence application used for renewals.
2. Gather your documents — your current licence, passport or ID (plus a copy), proof of residence, and passport-size photos. Drivers aged 70+ (and heavy-vehicle drivers from 65) must also bring the medical certificate (TOM 153B).
3. Apply at an RTD office or KEP — submit at a District Road Transport Department office or a Citizen Service Centre (KEP). Many people find the KEP route convenient.
4. Pay the fee — around €40, or free if you're 65 or over.
5. Receive your renewed licence — you'll typically be issued a temporary confirmation, with the new photocard following shortly after.

Tip: you can usually apply in the final month before your licence expires, so plan the visit ahead rather than letting the date slip past.

What If Your Licence Has Expired?

Your driving licence must be valid for you to drive legally — an expired licence is not valid, and driving on one carries the same insurance risks as having no licence. There is no widely documented grace period, so the safe course is to renew before or at expiry rather than assuming a buffer exists. If yours has already lapsed, renew it before getting back behind the wheel and confirm any additional steps with the Road Transport Department.

EU Licences and the 2033 Paper-Licence Deadline

If you hold an EU licence, it is recognised in Cyprus and you are not forced to swap it — though you may choose to, after which Cyprus renewal and medical rules apply. Separately, an EU-wide rule requires older non-compliant paper licences to be replaced by 19 January 2033, so if you still hold an old paper licence, plan to convert it to a photocard well before then. If you're a newcomer weighing whether to exchange at all, see our guide to exchanging a foreign driving licence in Cyprus.

New to Cyprus and not yet licensed here? Our Cyprus driving test booking guide covers the first-time route, and you can practise the Cyprus theory test for free before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a Cyprus driving licence valid?

Standard car and motorcycle categories (AM, A, B and similar) are valid for 15 years. Heavy-vehicle categories (C, D and similar) are valid for 5 years. From age 70, ordinary licences are issued for 3 years at a time. You renew rather than re-sit any test, provided your entitlement has not lapsed in the meantime.

Do I need a medical to renew my licence in Cyprus?

Yes if you are 70 or over — you need a medical certificate (form TOM 153B) at each renewal. Heavy-vehicle drivers generally need a medical from age 65. Younger drivers renewing standard categories do not normally need one.

How much does it cost to renew a driving licence in Cyprus?

The fee is around €40 for drivers under 65, and renewal is free for those aged 65 and over. Payment is made at the office when you submit form TOM 7, and the free rate for over-65s applies automatically on proof of age. Confirm the current amount when you apply, as official fees can change.

Where do I renew my Cyprus driving licence?

In person at a District Road Transport Department (RTD) office or a Citizen Service Centre (KEP), using application form TOM 7. Bring your current licence, ID, proof of residence, photos, and a medical certificate if you're 70 or over.

Can I still drive if my Cyprus licence has expired?

No. Your licence must be valid to drive, and there's no widely documented grace period. Renew before or at the expiry date; you can usually apply in the final month before it expires. If it has already lapsed, renew before driving again.

Validity periods, fees, form numbers and age thresholds here are drawn largely from specialist guides rather than a primary government source, and some points (notably the age-65 rules and expired-licence handling) vary between sources. Confirm the current requirements with the Cyprus Road Transport Department before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice.