Is my driving licence valid in Cyprus?Is your driving licence valid in Cyprus? The law by country with official sources, and what we need to rent: EU and UK licences need no IDP.
Check with the official authority: rules can change, so confirm with the Road Transport Department of Cyprus before you travel. This tool summarises official sources and is not legal advice.
| Licence issued in | Cyprus law for visitors | To rent with Layth Rent a Car | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU country | Recognised like a Cypriot licence (Law 94(I)/2001, section 19). | No IDP needed. | Driving licence + ID card or passport |
| Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (EEA) or Switzerland | On the Registrar's list (K.D.P. 5/2021): valid for up to 6 months. | International Driving Permit (1949) required. | Passport + driving licence + IDP |
| United Kingdom | On the Registrar's list (K.D.P. 5/2021): valid for up to 6 months. | No IDP needed. | Passport + UK driving licence |
| USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, UAE, Qatar, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia or Montenegro | On the Registrar's list (K.D.P. 5/2021): valid for up to 6 months. | IDP required to rent, whatever the length of stay. | Passport + driving licence + IDP |
| Russia | On the Registrar's list (K.D.P. 5/2021): valid for up to 6 months. | IDP required to rent, whatever the length of stay. | Passport + driving licence + IDP |
| Lebanon | Not on the Registrar's list: your national licence is valid for up to 30 days, or a valid international driving permit for the whole visit (Law 94(I)/2001, section 45). | IDP required to rent, whatever the length of stay. | Passport + driving licence + IDP |
| Israel | Not on the Registrar's list: your national licence is valid for up to 30 days, or a valid international driving permit for the whole visit (Law 94(I)/2001, section 45). | IDP required to rent, whatever the length of stay. | Passport + driving licence + IDP |
| Moldova | Not on the Registrar's list: a Moldovan licence is valid for up to 30 days. Moldova issues 1968-format IDPs; Cyprus is a party only to the 1949 Geneva Convention. | Cyprus recognises only 1949-format IDPs. Check with the Road Transport Department and message us on WhatsApp +357 94004999 before booking. | Passport + driving licence; confirm the IDP with us before booking |
| Another country | Not on the Registrar's list: your national licence is valid for up to 30 days, or a valid international driving permit for the whole visit (Law 94(I)/2001, section 45). | IDP required to rent, whatever the length of stay. | Passport + driving licence + IDP |
Legal basis (checked 19.10.2026): Cyprus Driving Licence Law 94(I)/2001, sections 19, 20 and 45 (CyLaw); Road Transport Registrar's notice K.D.P. 5/2021, Official Gazette No. 5435, 8.1.2021 (22 recognised countries); 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, list of parties (UN Treaty Collection).
In Cyprus, EU licences are recognised like a Cypriot licence. Licences from the 22 countries on the Registrar's list (including the UK, Russia, the EEA countries and Switzerland) can be used for up to 6 months. Other foreign licences can be used for up to 30 days, or with a valid international driving permit for the whole visit. Cyprus is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so the IDP must be the 1949 format.
Do I need an international driving permit to rent a car in Cyprus? At Layth Rent a Car: not with an EU or UK licence. With any other licence, yes: bring your passport, driving licence and an IDP, whatever the length of stay. This includes licences from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland: International Driving Permit (1949) required.
Is a UK driving licence valid in Cyprus? Yes. UK licences are on the Registrar's list (K.D.P. 5/2021) and can be used for up to 6 months. To rent with Layth Rent a Car you need your passport and UK driving licence, with no IDP.
Can I rent a car in Cyprus if I am under 27? Yes. The driver must be over 27 or have held a licence for 3+ years. Otherwise: Young driver fee applies — ask us on WhatsApp +357 94004999.
Sources checked: 19 October 2026.
