Driving without TRNC licence

Tinkie


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 1256

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 08:23

Heads up to anyone out there who is driving on a UK licence but has a property here.... Someone came in to our office yesterday he had been fined by the police on Thursday evening for driving on a UK licence and an extra fine because without a TRNC licence they said his car insurance was invalid. 500TL fine in total. The crazy thing is that he doesnt live here, owns a house here which he uses as a holiday home and so doesnt have residency. Most of you will know that you cannot get a TRNC licence without either a work permit or residency stamp in your passport. He tried explaining this at the Police Station but they werent interested.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 09:39

so was he on holiday for say 2 weeks ? if so then that cant be correct as his licence would cover him .



is it is own car and not a hire car ?



kav

Tinkie


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 1256

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 09:43

He was on a 90 day vısa, drıvıng hıs own car, They come out a couple of tımes a year for a couple of months at a tıme I thınk. Not sure what the answer ıs here because ıf you stay out of the country for more than 90 days then you cant have resıdency any way. All the polıce asked hım was whether he had a property here. He trıed to explaın that he does but doesnt lıve here full tıme and they saıd ıt doesnt matter that ıf you had a property here then you cannot drıve on a UK lıcence.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 10:38

If you here for more than 90 days you must have a TRNC licence.



Presumably that is a cumulative total over a year.



Unfortunatley that is a catch 22 situation, if you have a home here then do you take the risk of using EU Driving Licence or take out residency.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 10:39

I wonder how many people who just renew there 90 visa instead of getting residency are aware of this fact, they are driving illegally with no licence, no insurance.

cyprusjoker


Joined: 29/08/2009
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 10:56

Ive heard of people being done for no TRNC license, like CH says, catch 22, ive never heard of anyone being done for no insurance when you have the cover note in the glove box thou, residency or not..

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 11:20

Anyone actually know what the rule is. For example if someone wanted a holiday home and was a teacher wanting to spend all their school holidays here, visiting 6 times a year, would they have to become a resident in order to get a driving license? This sounds odd to me, as if it was another of those rumours that go round every now and then. I know you can drive on a UK license up to 90 days but thought that this reflected the length of your tourist visa.

Tinkie


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 1256

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 11:24

I dont thınk that your resıdency ıs valıd ıf you spend more than 90 days outsıde of the TRNC. So ıt ıs a Catch 22 because the man ın questıon cant have resıdency as he doesnt spend enough tıme here and yet they are sayıng that he cant drıve on hıs UK lıcence because he owns property here and he was on a 90 day vısa.

petez


Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 560

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 11:25

Hi Malcolm , I will ask Naomi Memhet about the legal situation and include it in the next Q & A article...

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 18:00

Look,

The Police, the Customs, anyone you like to name - they don't really know or even care what the actual RULES say, it just depends on how they feel 'on the day' - and whether you are related to them, or a neighbour, or whatever - they just make it up as they go along

Get used to it!

Or else you'll get apoplexy!

Keith.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3556495808_1910344789_o.jpg

BOO!

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 19:40

"Get used to it!"

What a great example of police corruption. So we should ignore it? Another thread asks what the TRNC can do to encourage tourism, this is a great way of doing that. According to this, if you have a holiday home you can't rent a car either!

matula


Joined: 07/07/2008
Posts: 647

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 20:02

Mickey Mouse rules!!! Yeay.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 20:18

Hector -

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
21/11/2009 21:16

I was fined after a month of living here as I had yet to apply for my TRNC driving licence that was 5 years ago and I think it was around 80ytl but as I was sorting out my Residency which was at the top of my list I did in fact forget and owned up to the fact, but still had to pay the fine, but applied and got my licence in the following 2 weeks just in case, but I know loads of people who just have their UK licence and have yet to be fined, but with my luck its not worth it.

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 17:36

My pal who lives in Kyrenia (and has lived there for 18 yrs) was recently fined for having no mudflaps on her car. She said a couple of others she knows had been fined for it too during the same week. She'd never heard of the requirement for the mudflaps before.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 17:43

Oleander - this begs the question: 'Why wasn't this picked up on when she, presumably, went for this sham/con that they describe as 'MOT'?

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 18:04

No idea. The lady is in her 70s but quite lucid. I know she said the police car that stopped her didn't have any either! I've been driving over there for years without mudflaps.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 18:21

When you go for a MOT they are more hotter on having dodgy mudflaps than an engine in your car

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
22/11/2009 18:46

Don't forget the requirment to have a first aid kit, triangle and reflective vest. That was a favourite a little while ago. What bothers me is that no one yet has de bunked this requirement to have a TRNC licence if you want to drive but have a holiday home. Is this really this case? If so I've wasted a lot of money (not that that is unusual in NC) importing the car.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
26/11/2009 09:21

In TRNC we're still living in a quagmire of misinformation, thanks to the government's total disinterest in the basic needs and rights of foreign residents' perpetual pleas for transparency - i.e., knowledge of the actual TRNC laws - however, keep being told that 'ignorance of the law is no excuse'.

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
26/11/2009 12:56

Re msg 19 Reflective vest??? Never heard that one before, I thought the third item was a torch! Perhaps I should tell them my reflective vest is under my dress!!

Cruella


Joined: 16/05/2008
Posts: 63

Message Posted:
26/11/2009 13:22

Another example of making the rules up to suit themselves against the people who keep this tin pot place going.

BeeBop


Joined: 16/05/2009
Posts: 70

Message Posted:
26/11/2009 14:37

When I first applied for residency here 11 years ago I has just bought a TRNC plated vehicle. The police had seen me in it and when I went to collect my residency informed me that I could only drive a TRNC plated car with a TRNC driving licence and I had to apply straight away for that so that I was legal and my insurance was valid. I duly conformed.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
26/11/2009 16:42

Fine if one applies for residency but what about us comers & goers?

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
28/11/2009 19:46

Anyone confirm or deny this ridiculous situation?

Reg55



Joined: 07/07/2008
Posts: 110

Message Posted:
28/11/2009 20:25

There are so many examples of inconsistent rule interpretation and people doing their level best to comply with what they have been advised, still falling foul. It drives me and, sounds like, everyone else NUTS!



Why can't somone (BRS ?) get this sorted. Surely documenting all (or at least the top 10 of most relevance to Ex-pats) the key issues correctly and getting the government to sign off on the document which thereby is agreed by the Govenment to be used as a reference to be relied on. The document could be given to the police also ?

WAZ-24-7



Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 695

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 14:12

anyone Know the law or rules on riding a scooter on a visitors Visa with UK license?

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 14:31

Hector,

When I first insured my car, the insurance agent (an Advocate) advised me that I had to get a TRNC Driving Licence before my '3 months' expired.

I discussed this with him at the time, and my understanding is this: -

If you are a 'Visitor' on a Visa which has a 'number of days' written in the 'Entry Stamp' then you can drive on a Foreign Driving Licence for that number of days - usually 90, but it can vary.

If you visit 3 or 4 times a year, then on each entry to TRNC, you would get a fresh stamp, stating the number of days that you are allowed to stay - again this is normally 90 days - you are allowed to drive on a foreign licence for this period.

I would think that if you were granted an 'extension' to your stay (without leaving and re-entering TRNC) then you might be on dodgy ground driving on a Foreign Licence during the extension period

If you live here permanently, or for periods of longer than 90 days at a time, and intend to drive, then you need a TRNC Licence.

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 15:39

Is there a rule book of DO'S and DONT'S written by someone for us lot here so we don't fall short of doing the right things when approached by police which would make both parties happy,also I wonder why car dealers don't ask us questions first before selling us cars as to whether we are holiday visitors, own or not a home and what license we require to enable us to drive legally here before taking our money infact the estate agent selling us our home should bring this matter up with us before too taking our money, same with the insurance guys before they take our money too.It all seems so simple at first ,its only later you find out you cant do this or that .my wife and I bought a Villa in 2008 in joint names, also bought a car so we would be very indepentant ,this year she got her kimlit card and so did my daughter too,i transfered the villa to her name,my daughter spends more time here so i will rush her local car licence,the car is in my name though,any issues on this matter tks

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 15:53

Why not just drive over the border and come back a few hours later. I need to get a Visa extension for up to 6 months as I only got a 30 day Visa for my car when I drove over for a 6 month visit. I suppose I'll find out what it's all about when I go to the Customs in Nicosia in a week or so. I'm taking a Turkish speaking chap with me. I may not bother asking about the TRNC driving license situation and leave it to them to mention..if they do. I'm only on an extended tourist visit.

Mindy



Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1210

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 17:27

Corbo

As i understand the current position here, you are allowed 90 days visa, but if you intend staying longer then it is surely temp residency or special permission from immigration.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 17:38

I only got a 30 day Visa for the car and was told to go to Customs at Nicosia to get a further Visa.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 20:30

keithcaley

That's what I thought the situation was. Why did the person mentioned in message 1 get fined?

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
29/11/2009 20:58

Hector,

As we don't know the whole story, we may never know.

It may simply have been a mistake, they didn't want to admit it, and wouldn't back down.

Or perhaps the rules have changed.

Let's hope Naomi Memhet can cast some light on it - every thing else is speculation...

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
02/12/2009 18:13

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE HERE ON A PERMANENT BASIS,NOR DO YOU HAVE TO BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT HOLDING A LOCAL LICENSE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO BUY A VEHICLE.YOU CAN PURCHASE A VEHICLE FOR OCCASIONAL USE OR A MORE FREQUENT USE AND YOU CAN HAVE ANY TYPE OF INSURANCE DESIRED i.e.THIRD PARTY OR FULL COVER.PLEASE DO FEEL FREE TO COME BACK WITH ANY OTHER QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE AND DO VISIT OUR WEB SITE,ADDRESS AS FOLLOWS:www.tigatrading.com

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
02/12/2009 18:29

Basheer

The issue was whether you can still drive on a UK licence if you have a property in NC but only visit.

iankb


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 32

Message Posted:
02/12/2009 20:02

Purely for interest this is what happens in Turkey.For many years people have driven on UK. Licenses irrespective of how long they have lived here or whether they are a resident etc.Over the last three years the insurance Co's have demanded to see your passport and last entry stamp into Turkey.This is if you are involved in an accident and they will have to cough up.Even if you are a 'resident' who has left the country on a tourist visa as many do every three months then the insurance co. will not pay out.They say that you a driving illegally on a UK. licence.The easist thing to do here is just to get a Turkish Licence ( which is a complete sham, no test just a medical ) and then you are ok.We all know that if the insurance co's can find a way of not paying then they will.Life is no different here than TRNC only here the police don't care as long as you have a licence from wherever.



Ian

IvorBankloan



Joined: 14/08/2009
Posts: 180

Message Posted:
02/12/2009 20:27

I don't know about Northern Cyprus regs but in most other countries of the region including where I'v e been for the past couple of years the regs are ;



If you're on a visit visa you can drive on your home license but once you have a resident visa that become ilegal and you need a local license.

Gettting a local license in some countries if you hold UK license is just an eye test and license but if not a UK license you need to take a test



When I've hired cars in Norhern Curpurs my UK lecnse was ok so I'm guessing that the regs change once you live there on a resident visa.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
02/12/2009 20:56

So we still don't know what the actual situation is in NC then.

marcosthechef



Joined: 30/11/2009
Posts: 646

Message Posted:
02/12/2009 21:44

I was delivering some goods to a bar in a fully legal commercial vehicle and police raided the bar on suspicion of not having 'correct paperwork' and they gave me a parking ticket 60tl, I tried to argue the toss but got a shrug of the shoulders and 'this is cyprus' ansa from the monkey in charge !! the thoughts going thru my head were (you wouldnt even get a job as a traffic warden in my country) but i didnt say ouwt,

they make it up as they go along sadly, cant wait for them to get in the EU or not !!