Vehicle and boat dealers in North Cyprus

Driving and licences: what the PIO states

According to the TRNC Public Information Office (PIO) FAQ, foreigners may drive in the TRNC on a touristic trip provided they have a valid passport and the vehicle is registered in their name. It states that tourists' driving licences are valid for 90 days from the date of entry and that, within 30 days of the visitor status ending, the person must apply for a licence in the TRNC. The FAQ credits the TRNC Traffic Department as its source.

The same FAQ says that third-country citizens with a residence, work or student permit take a test on the TRNC traffic rules, receive a learner's licence and take a course of at least 5 days, 8 hours a day and 2 hours at night before applying. It also says Turkish citizens who receive such a permit may not drive on a Turkish licence after that day. The PIO page Life in the TRNC for foreigners says tourists may drive on a foreign licence approved by the Immigration Police Officer at the port of entry.

Neither PIO page explains how to import or register a vehicle. For licence steps in more detail see the driving licence page. This is informational, not legal advice; confirm with the authority.

Registration, roadworthiness, insurance, import and taxes

No official page opened for this guide states the current rules for registering a vehicle, roadworthiness testing, insurance, import, customs duty or vehicle taxes, so none are described here. No official page on these topics was used; check the Traffic Department and the Customs and Excise Department. Two partial statements exist: the PIO page for foreigners says foreigners may use their motor vehicle on a tourist trip if they hold a valid passport and the vehicle is registered in their name, and an undated ministry traffic notice says you may be asked for registration papers, insurance, licence and ID at traffic checks. Neither sets out insurance or registration rules.

Before buying or importing a vehicle, read the current rules at the Traffic Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Ministry responsible, and ask the seller in writing which documents transfer with the vehicle. The government offices page, the arrival page and the practical information page point to where these offices are listed. Confirm with the authority; this is informational, not legal advice.

Marinas and boats: what official and company pages state

The PIO page on Karpaz Gate Marina is dated 30 June 2017 and may be out of date. According to it, the marina sits in a protected bay on the north side of the Karpaz Peninsula, about 5 km from the village of Yeni Erenköy, and it names Cyprus Yachts as its brokerage and new boat sales office. The page does not mention vessel registration, and no official source on registering a boat was opened for this guide.

Fishertown, covered in the first block, is a marine company that states it deals in Mercury engines and several boat brands; it is not a marina. For boats hired by the day or week, see boat tours and yacht charters.

Questions to ask before buying

About the seller: Is the business a dealership, an independent seller, a broker or a marina, and where does it say so itself? Which make or brand does it hold an arrangement for, and can it show that in writing? Who is the legal seller named on the invoice?

About the vehicle or boat: Whose name is on the registration, and can it be transferred to yours? What inspection or roadworthiness papers exist, and who issued them? What warranty applies, who honours it in North Cyprus, and for how long? Are there outstanding debts, loans or liens? For a boat, which flag and papers does it carry?

About cost and rules: Which import, customs, tax, insurance and transfer steps apply, and which authority confirms them? What is the final total in writing, and what is refundable? If you will drive on a foreign licence at first, when must you apply for a TRNC licence? For residence matters see the residence permits page.