Since 14 September 2026, you can no longer book a practical driving test in Cyprus, practise with a friend, and turn up. You need a minimum number of lessons at a licensed driving school first, and a certificate to prove it. This guide explains what changed, who it applies to and how to pick a school.
Last checked: 17 October 2026, against the Driving Licence Law (as amended by Law 160(I)/2020), decree ΚΔΠ 273/2026 and press reports of the start date.
What changed
The Driving Licence Law requires theory and practical training at a licensed driving school before the practical test. The detailed rules are in a ministerial decree, ΚΔΠ 273/2026, published on 26 June 2026. From 14 September 2026, the practical test is held only if the candidate has the school's training certificate.
Before this, a training minimum applied only to some motorcycle and trailer licences. Car learners could prepare however they liked.
How many lessons you need
| Licence | Minimum lessons |
|---|---|
| Car (B) | 10 |
| Car with trailer, combination 3,500 to 4,250 kg | 7 |
| Car and trailer (B+E) | 7 |
| Motorcycle A1 | 5 |
| Motorcycle A2 | 5 |
| Motorcycle A | 7 |
| Any of these, after a failed practical test | 5 more |
These are minimums. Most learners need more lessons to be ready, especially if they have never driven before.
How long is a lesson? The decree sets each training period at 45 minutes. The law counts the minimum in hours, so ask your school how it plans your lessons and what the certificate will show.
What you learn
The decree lists the topics a school should cover. They include:
- vehicle checks, moving off and stopping,
- road position, mirrors and signals,
- junctions, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings,
- reversing, turning in the road and parking (bay and parallel),
- emergency stop,
- motorway driving, which learners can only do with an instructor,
- driving at night and in bad weather,
- vulnerable road users, eco-driving and your legal obligations.
There is no fixed split between theory and practice. Your instructor decides how to spread the time.
The training certificate
- Who issues it: your driving school. The instructor signs it with their licence number and the school's registration number.
- What it says: that you completed at least the minimum number of lessons for your category.
- Readiness report: when your instructor thinks you are ready, they send a short report to the examiner before the test. It stays in your file.
- On test day: bring the certificate. Without it, the test does not go ahead.
Who it applies to
- Every learner taking a practical test from 14 September 2026. There are no transition rules in the law or the decree, so it does not matter when you got your learner's licence or when you booked the test.
- Manual and automatic cars alike. The rules make no difference between them.
- Foreign licence holders who must take the test. If your licence cannot be exchanged, the law makes no exception for you. Check whether your country is on the list in our licence exchange guide.
The rest of the route stays the same. You still pass the oral theory exam, hold a learner's licence for at least 21 days before your first test, and pay €20 for the test.
If you fail the practical test
You need at least 5 more lessons at a driving school before you can take the test again, and you must wait at least one month after the fail. The certificate has a separate column for retests, so expect a new certificate for each retest. Your school can confirm.
How to choose a driving school
- Location. Pick a school near where you will take the test, so you practise on the same roads and roundabouts.
- Car and gearbox. If you learn in an automatic, your licence will be limited to automatic cars.
- Language. Ask which languages the instructor teaches in before you sign up.
- Price and what it includes. Ask about the lesson price, the length of a lesson, the certificate and the cost of using the school's car on test day.
- Availability. Test dates are released month by month, so ask how soon the school can fit in your lessons.
Browse schools by city in our driving schools directory, or send one request and let local schools contact you:
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Prepare for the theory part too
Lessons cover the driving. The signs are up to you. The theory exam is oral: an examiner shows you road signs and you say what they mean. Practise with the free road signs test, browse the road signs library, and test your knowledge of the rules with the rules test. Our practical test guide explains what happens on the day.
Frequently asked questions
How many driving lessons are mandatory in Cyprus?
For a car (category B), at least 10 lessons at a licensed driving school. Motorcycles need 5 or 7 depending on the category, and you need 5 more after a failed practical test.
When did mandatory driving lessons start in Cyprus?
From 14 September 2026, the practical test is held only if you bring the training certificate from a licensed driving school.
Do mandatory lessons apply if I got my learner's licence before September 2026?
Yes. The rule applies to practical tests held from 14 September 2026, whenever you got your learner's licence.
How long is one driving lesson?
The decree sets each training period at 45 minutes. Ask your school how many periods your course includes.
What happens if I fail the practical test?
You need at least 5 more lessons and must wait at least one month before taking the test again.
Can I learn with a friend instead of a school?
You can still practise with a qualified supervisor on your learner's licence, but those hours do not replace the minimum lessons at a licensed school.