MUKW3 and Driving Licence Question

[jonjo]

My permanent residency was granted in September last year and I received my card in November. I understand that I now need to swap my UK driving licence for a CYP licence. Has anyone gone through this process or can anyone help me understand the process and deadline.
Kind regards
Jon

[CharleyB]

Information on how to change your driving licence along with the necessary forms can be found on the website www.cyprusdriving.net

[Kili01]

You should be able to do this at through the Citizens Advice Centre. You will need to make an appointment. They should also tell you what documents you will need to bring with you.

[Kili01]

Anything to do with residency is done through an appointment with Paphos Immigration.
Or for help with both these forms try Gwenny's Red Tape 26 945624. Its an agency which specialises
In helping expats obtain all the Govt required forms and licences.
It isn't free, but if you would like a bit of help with it all they have the experience and knowledge at their fingertips,

[tonee]

Hi
You cannot change a UK licence to a Cypriot one at the Citizens Bureau,it has to be done at the transport Department.
Why people pay these agents loads of money is beyond me when a lot of the red tape stuff can be done yourself.
Eighteen years here now,bought and sold a house,immigration,tax,licence etc etc and never used an agent.

[galexinda]

Hi
You cannot change a UK licence to a Cypriot one at the Citizens Bureau,it has to be done at the transport Department.
Why people pay these agents loads of money is beyond me when a lot of the red tape stuff can be done yourself.
Eighteen years here now,bought and sold a house,immigration,tax,licence etc etc and never used an agent.

Correct - changing from a UK licence to a Cypriot licence can only be done at the Transport Department on Mesoyi Avenue.
Thereafter, renewals can be done at the Citizens Service Centre or at the main Post Office in Anavargos.

Also never used an agent, but over the years with so many changes from year to year and sometimes month to month and as everyone's circumstances may be different to mine, I can appreciate why some people would use an agent.
However, bear in mind that you have to collate the documents and attend in person, so may as well see if you can do it yourself if you can.

[Kili01]

Actually as someone who has used Gwenny's over the years, I can only say that some people don't mind putting in the leg work and don't mind hanging about in immigration, do it themselves. But it is also possible to have problems with immigration and people get sent away because they didn't bring all the required docs. Then have to wait for a new appointment.
I like Gwenny because they explain exactly what you must take, fill out required paperwork ( often not every doc on the list is actually required).They then arrange an appointment for you, and then meet you there. They are very efficient. If there should be any unforeseen problems, they sort them out.
Each to his own!

[jonjo]

It turns out that the requirement to swap a UK licence to a Cypriot licence isn’t currently being enforced for permanent residents. The advice I have now is that I should keep my UK licence unless I live in Cyprus full time or are asked to do so my the police….. so a trip to the transport office is deferred for now!

[jonjo]

Kili01 - I also agree. As someone who is back and fore to Cyprus, it makes sense for me to use an agent. Otherwise, I’d spend valuable time sorting out issues. The MUKW3 took only 3 months with an agent and 15 minutes in the immigration office. Gwenny also sorted out our car import a few years ago for less than a few tanks of petrol!

[galexinda]

Since the new appointment system at the Immigration Office has been in place there is no unnecessary waiting or seeing people come in after you and going into the office area before you as they so stick to the appointment schedule. At the time of my application I only had to wiat 6 weeks to attend the interview - however, this time period depends on the number of applicants at any one time. Last time I was there it took less than 20 minutes including the interview, payment, photo and fingerprints.

The required forms are available on the relevant site for the various categories of residence permit and also people can check with helpful people on social media if they do have a query.