Road worthiness tests

If you register a new car in Cyprus, you must have it checked for road worthiness for the first time 4 years from the date of its registration.

If you have a used car in Cyprus, you must have it tested for road worthiness every 2 years from the date of the last roadworthiness check.

A road worthiness test doesn't have to be conducted each time a vehicle changes owner.

If you register your car as a new resident in Cyprus, moving from another EU country, your car must undergo the roadworthiness test.

Contact body for road worthiness tests: any district office of the Road Transport Department in the town where you are resident / staying.

To ensure your vehicle and its equipment function correctly and comply with safety standards, it must undergo the regular road worthiness tests, which generally comprise the following checks:

  • efficiency of windscreen wipers and if any of the windows or mirrors are broken
  • lights – indicators, hazard lights, brake, reverse, licence plate and fog lights
  • headlights – position of dipped-beam and main-beam
  • tyres – tread depth ≥ 1.6 mm.
  • rear-view mirrors – reflecting surface, fixation and adjustment
  • correct functioning of safety belts

Registration

Procedure for:

- initial registration

You can register your vehicle at any district office of the Road Transport Department in the town where you are resident / staying.

To register an imported vehicle (new or used), you must submit the following documents:

  1. new vehicle:
    • certificate of conformity,
    • packing list (also known as a bill of lading; see note below),
    • insurance certificate,
    • customs certificate (C72A),
    • purchase invoice.
  2. used vehicle:
    • registration certificate from country of origin (registered in your name),
    • packing list (also known as a bill of lading; see note below),
    • insurance certificate,
    • customs certificate (C72A),
    • purchase invoice (if not registered in your name),
    • road worthiness certificate (if the vehicle is less than 5 years old).

- renewal of registration (deregistered vehicles in Cyprus)

To renew the registration of your car, you can do it at the district office of the Road Transport Department in the town where you are resident/staying and you must submit the following documents:

  • registration certificate,
  • insurance certificate,
  • road worthiness certificate.

 

Note:

bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier which details a shipment of merchandise and gives title of that shipment to a specified party.

Temporary stays

If you keep your normal residence in your member state but you stay in another EU country for less than 6 months, you don't have to register your car or pay any registration taxes there - it will remain registered in your country of residence. You may however be asked to pay other taxes related to the use of your car in that country (circulation taxes).

If you're staying in another EU country for less than 6 months and haven't registered your car there, you may not legally lend or rent your car to a resident of that country, who may only drive your car if you are in the car with him/her.

You may, however, lend your car to visiting friends or family - provided they are not resident in your new country.

If you're planning to stay in another country for more than 6 months, you should normally change your residence to this country and you must register your car there without delay.

Moving abroad

If you move to another EU country (you intend to stay there over 6 months) and take your car with you, you will need to register it and pay any relevant fees and taxes in the new country.

You must register your car as soon as possible and in any case not later than 6 months from your date of arrival. You should also check what documents and formalities will be required as evidence to register your car.

In some countries you may be eligible for a tax exemption on your vehicle registration when you move from another EU country, if you meet the relevant conditions and deadlines. Before moving to your new country check the national rules applicable there.

Sample story

Save money by knowing the rules in advance!

Cristina from Spain found a job in Portugal and moved there. Unaware of the 6‑month deadline, she went to register her car after 8 months in Portugal.

She was then informed that, had she registered the car earlier, she wouldn't have had to pay any registration taxes. Also, in Portugal the 6‑month deadline is counted from the moment you leave your home country, not from the moment you arrive.