Road tax in Cyprus is payable at the beginning of each year. It must be paid by the first ten days of March (by March 11, 2022), or else you will be penalized with a €10 fee plus 10% of the total annual road tax amount.
Road tax is calculated based on the car’s age and its emissions, and it can be paid for three, six, nine, or twelve months. You must have valid insurance in force and a vehicle inspection (MOT) in effect to be able to pay the tax.
What if I don’t plan on driving my car next year? Do I still need to pay the road tax?
In that case, you must apply to immobilize your vehicle. You must complete and submit a TOM 12B form to the Road Traffic Department or Citizens’ Service Centre, indicating when the car will be immobilized.
Vehicles whose owners have not paid the previous year’s road tax by the spring of the current year and have yet to declare immobilization is removed from the Road Network register.
What if the vehicle has been immobilized as a result of an accident?
In that case, the form TOM 98A must be submitted to the Road Traffic Department or Citizens’ Service Centre, to which a certificate of immobilization due to an accident must be attached (the landfill administration issues such a certificate for vehicles sent for scrap).
Where can I pay my road tax in Cyprus?
It is possible to pay the road tax on the JCC Smart portal at banks, Citizen Service Centres, and regional offices of the Road Traffic Department.
Department of Road Transport
Tel: +35722807000,
website: www.mcw.gov.cy.
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO PASS A VEHICLE INSPECTION (MOT) IN CYPRUS?
Any car over 4 years old must undergo a technical inspection procedure every two years, which in Cyprus is known as an MOT. You must have a valid MOT certificate to be able to pay road tax. There is also a penalty for not having an MOT.
The Ministry of Transport reminds you well in advance if you need to undergo a technical inspection, but only the first time you need to make it. So if you buy a brand new car, you will receive an sms to pass an MOT a month before your vehicle is 4 years old. The sms is sent to the phone number you indicated upon registering the vehicle. In case you’ve changed your phone number, you can request to update your details on the Road Ministry’s website (you’ll have to register on the website):
https://rtd.mcw.gov.cy/WebPhase1/gui/Common/LoginFrameGreek.jsp?lang=en
The inspection of the vehicle is carried out in a certified and equipped service center (MOT service centers). The inspection procedure includes checking the following:
- levels of emissions;
- brake operation;
- amortization (suspensions);
- control systems;
- operation of the headlights;
- tire wear
The inspection takes approximately 30 minutes and is carried out using specialized computer equipment. The cost is the same throughout Cyprus and is €35.
Driving a vehicle without a current MOT certificate can result in a fine of €1,700 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY FINES ONLINE IN CYPRUS?
You can find out if you have any fines from the police in Cyprus via the JCC Smart portal.
Step 1: Go to the JCC Smart portal, and select “Cyprus Police.” or visit their website:
https://police.jccsmart.com/warrantssearch.aspx
Step 2: Find the Warrants Search subsection.
Step 3: Enter your date of birth (for individuals) or company registration number (for legal entities) on the page that opens.
Step 4: After your date of birth, you will be asked for your identification document number (Cypriot ID card, foreign passport, or ARC). You will find out if you have any outstanding debts by providing the required number. If you do have outstanding fines, a message will appear on the screen telling you to visit the nearest police station, where you will be notified of any outstanding fines and told how to pay them.
