DRIVING IN CYPRUS
DRIVING IN CYPRUS: All the information you could possibly need on this website on the Links page: CYPRUS ADVANCED DRIVING AND ROAD SAFETY NETWORK
Two pages worth looking at: http://www.cyprusdriving.net/police/Cyprus_Traffic_Offences_Penalties.php
http://www.cyprusdriving.net/forms/1415_Report_Vehicle_Faults_DoRT_en.PDF .
Importing Motor Vehicles into Cyprus
A motor vehicle may be imported from another European country without payment of excise duty for a period not exceeding 6 months, at the end of which the vehicle must be registered onto a Cyprus plate and excise duty paid, or the vehicle must be re-exported. However, as the majority of expatriates from UK who decide to import a motor vehicle into Cyprus intend to keep the vehicle beyond the 6 month point, then excise duty must, at present, be paid.
The Cyprus government is currently phasing out duties paid for imported cars and streamlining the current complex tax system. Anyone who chooses to import a second hand car into Cyprus from UK or elsewhere will need to pay registration tax, dependant upon the size of the engine, its age and its carbon dioxide emissions. It is not recommended that motor vehicles with engines above 2 litres are imported due to the costs involved.
Car dealers in Cyprus are now said to be in favour of the gradual abolition of all import duties on cars. Most of them feel that, by conforming to EU law on registration tax, the used car market in Cyprus would become more competitive, benefiting both the car dealers, who face protectionist domestic used car competition, as well as the buyers who must shoulder the burden.
It is understood that a bill has now been passed by the Cyprus government that removes or reduces registration tax in the future. The move is in part aimed at avoiding financial penalties from Brussels but is also a step towards adopting the EU’s long term plan of eradicating all import duties for vehicles inside the community and transferring this onto road or fuel consumption tax. But be warned, as with all changes in Cyprus, this proposed new legislation will take time and for the immediate future expatriates importing a vehicle from UK should expect to pay some import duty.
Importing or just buying a motor vehicle in Cyprus can be a complex business for a newly-arrived expatriate. For further advice on this topic, readers are recommended to contact either Chris or Natasha Chryostomou at Chris Motors in Limassol on (00357) 25 577990/997 or Fax (00357) 25 577980 or E Mail natcars@cytanet.com.cy. Chris Motors have for many years supplied motor vehicles to expatriates and service personnel on the island.
AND FROM ROBERT MANN:
IMPORTING A CARWith thanks to Robert Mann for the following:
I thought I would share my experience of bringing a vehicle into Cyprus from the UK and in truth how easy it was.
First let me highlight that I do not have Cypriot citizenship but have a property here in Pissouri.
I bought the vehicle second-hand in the UK though a garage. It was an ex demonstrator 6 months old. I registered, taxed and insured it in the UK so it was in my name. Within a week of ownership I arranged shipment to Limassol from Southampton through a carrier.
The vehicle duly arrived in Limassol and I went to the port and introduced myself to a shipping agent with the relevant transit documentation including an T2L form received from the UK shippers. I also needed the UK registration documents, Invoice of Sale from the garage which showed VAT had been paid and could demonstrate the vehicle was not new. The shipping agent took these details on my behalf to various customs departments which check the documentation and the Import Duty required. I have attached a link from the Cypriot Authorities into which you can input your details and know what your liability is for any vehicle and also downloaded the spreadsheet.
http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/customs/Customs.nsf/All/1588CDA7515CA4E5C225748A0032080F?OpenDocument
Once all the documentation was approved and stamped the shipping agent gave me the documents along with his bill. With the various stamps required the Import duty plus 10% covers everything I had to pay and the agents charges were €180.
I then took the vehicle to a local MOT test station where they checked the importation documents against the vehicle and engine security codes and than proceeded to do a brake and emissions test. The whole process was about 20 mins and I turned up without an appointment !! Cost was standard charge for MOT which I think was about €35.
I then went to the Vehicle licensing centre in Limassol.... There is one in Paphos on the Polis Road and another in Nicossia. They checked the importation documents, checked the MOT, reviewed the engine/vehicle number again and gave me a pass certificate to say everything was in order.
I then arranged Cypriot insurance on the vehicle on the UK plates. You need a cover note for the next step of 4 months. I took my documentation, covernote, Uk driving license and passport back to the licensing centre and went to the licensing department next door to the check centre and they took copies of all the documentation and said they would process the application within 24 hours. I left them a Cypriot phone number which they duly rang the next day at 8.00am. I returned to the vehicle licensing centre and they gave me the licensing documents and new registration number I was charged Euro 750 for the registration and the years road tax I returned to the insurance company and they issued me a new insurance document for the new registration number.
Finally a trip to the local car parts dealer who took the registration document and made/fitted my new registration plates.
Whole process was all completed in 30 hours
Please note that new vehicles from what I have learnt is a similar process except that you have to pay import VAT on your vehicle. In this instance it is best to ship from the UK without VAT otherwise you will have to reclaim the VAT back in the UK once you have completed the above
Hope this helps someone else".
Car Tax
All motor vehicles in Cyprus must be taxed every year commencing on 01 January and cars may be taxed for a period of either 6 months or a year. The rate of vehicle tax is dependant on the size of engine of the vehicle.
Car tax can normally be paid at either the Coop Bank, Bank of Cyprus or Laiki Bank in the village square or online at www.mcw.gov.cy/rtd. or www.jccsmart.com . Because everyone in Cyprus pays Road Tax around the same time, the Government, and Police, allow 6-8 weeks for expired road tax to be paid.
From Andrew Noyes:
“Just if anyone ever asks you about doing car tax on line.
This morning I went online and into www.jccsmart.com and it took me about 6 minutes to pay for and print off both our car tax discs for the year. I have saved at least 40 mins going to the Bank and standing in a queue with everyone else waiting, naturally in January, to pay their car tax.
Actually Tony enjoys going to the Bank and having a good gossip, so it’s probably better the Hart household do it the old fashioned way!”
For some of us it is not so easy. Jccsmart would not accept our Cyprus debit cards, and with exchange rates the way they are we were not going to use a UK credit card. So we went to the bank and paid.
From the internet forums: It seems the Police may be clamping down this year, so get your tax paid by the end of the month at the latest (by whatever method!) Quote: “The facts are: Motor vehicle tax is due on Jan 1st. The authorities have put in place multiple, simple systems for payment. If you don't have a current disc you are breaking the law. The police are simply doing their job.”
Driving Licences, Tests, MOTs
An expatriate aiming to live in Cyprus permanently should exchange their UK Driving Licence for a Cypriot Licence at the same office in the Limassol which deals with car tax, MOTs and Driving Tests.
To get to the Road Transport Department, do not take the flyover when you get to the end of the motorway to Limassol.
Take the old main Limassol to Nicosia route. At the second (Polemidia) roundabout, take the second exist signposted to Troodos. At the fourth traffic lights turn right. There is a battery of signs at this junction. Then turn first left, and follow this road up past the military post. Immediately past the military post you turn left into the RTD centre.
In order to exchange your licence you must have your current EU licence, your passport, 50 Euros, and proof that you have been resident in Cyprus for 6 months. Unfortunately the form at the centre is in Greek.
The EU is planning to introduce an EU driving licence, which will presumably at some time make the above irrelevant!
Drivers over 70
a reminder:
“…I just remembered my driving licence was due. After 70, as in UK, it is compulsory to renew every four years (and very wise, too), but we get no notice from the Department of Transport and face a fine if we don't settle on time. Again, this entails driving to Limassol or Paphos to collect a form, acquiring a photgraph, seeing a GP, then yet another trip to the city to collect the renewed licence. Apart from the fact that most of us tend to be a tad forgetful as we grow older, what a cumbersome, expensive palaver, which could be made so much easier for all concerned”.
Motor Insurance
Insurance companies in Cyprus have an agreement, it appears, to work to the same rules and in doing so to protect themselves. For instance, if your car is off the road at any time for repairs which will be paid for by your insurance company they will only pay your car hire charge for the days that the car is actually being worked on and the insurance assessor decides this. The period during which your car is awaiting spare parts etc is not covered and any car hire during this period will not be paid for. So, for instance, the car could be out of service (in a repair garage and unable to be driven) for 50 days but the assessor has decided that it only needs 20 days actual work on it, then that is the period they will pay for.
If an accident occurs it is wise to consult a solicitor as soon as possible to ascertain your rights. Do not trust your insurance company.
Some insurance companies now offer “European” insurance cover which is supposed to cover off-the-road situations. How good these are remains to be seen.
Motor Accidents
In the event of a road accident you must contact both your insurance company and the police.
Some insurance companies say that you should ring them first and that they will then act for you in dealing with the police and other parties. It is, however, your responsibility to notify the police. Whatever you do, don’t move your vehicle.
Make sure that all statements are accurate and in your language – do not sign anything you don’t understand. The Police, if involved, are usually very polite and helpful but there is always the odd one who is over-zealous. Check all diagrams of the accident – you will be asked to sign them. If you are in shock or even a little upset ask for time to recover before making any statements or signing anything. If you have a camera take photographs (dated is best) and it may be useful to keep a disposable camera in your car for this purpose.
If you are injured in any way, however small, see your doctor as soon as possible and make sure your visit is recorded. Some injuries are not immediately apparent and it is wise to have a check-up as soon as possible. Any delay will prevent you making a claim for personal injuries at a later date.
Petrol Stations
Petrol Stations are normally open on weekdays from 6.00am to 7.00pm in summer and to 6pm in winter. They close at 4pm on Saturdays and are closed all day on Sundays and public holidays. However, many petrol stations now have Bank Note Acceptor (BNA) and credit card acceptor machines so people should be able to get fuel at any time.
Vehicle Speed Limits
In towns the speed limit in Cyprus is generally 50km/h unless a lower one is indicated (for instance near a school etc). On highways the speed limit is 100km/hr with a lower limit of 65 km/hr. All other roads have a speed limit of 80km/hr unless otherwise indicated. Readers are advised to be aware of Paramali Village which has a speed limit of 65km/hr and is frequently checked by the SBA Police!
Seat belts are compulsory and children under 5 are not allowed to sit in the front of the car.
Hire Cars
Hire cars have red registration plates and usually start with the letter Z. These cars are usually used by holiday makers who may be unfamiliar with the island so be prepared for slow or confused drivers.