Car with Foreign License Plates in Northern Cyprus — Rules and Legalization

In Northern Cyprus, the same rules apply as in Turkey: you may drive a car with foreign license plates for up to 12 months from the date of entry. After this period, the vehicle must be taken off the island. Re-entry of the same car without changing the owner and license plates will not be possible.

• Rules for using a car with foreign license plates
• How to legalize a car after import
• Additional conditions and restrictions
• Useful addresses and coordinates

Rules for using a car with foreign license plates

In Northern Cyprus, a foreign vehicle may be used for no more than 12 months from the date of entry. After this period, the vehicle must leave the territory of the TRNC. If the car is not exported on time, it may be seized by customs, and the owner will be fined for the illegal stay of the vehicle.

Important: re-entry of the same car is allowed only after a change of owner and license plates.

How to legalize a car after import

To legalize the stay of a car in Northern Cyprus after bringing it in, you must complete the following steps:

1. Obtain an entry/exit certificate (in & out) at the main police office in Lefkoşa.
2. Take the certificate to customs, where you will be given a form to record the vehicle’s weight.
3. Visit the weighing station, weigh the vehicle, and have the weight entered into the form.
4. Return to customs and have the form stamped.
5. Pay the road tax for 6 months or 1 year at the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Office.
6. Purchase a stamp for the entry certificate — sold at the antique shop opposite the main police office (a kiosk on the corner).
7. Return to customs and present the paid documents. Based on the road-tax receipt, a new permitted stay period for the vehicle will be entered.

After completing all steps, you will receive an updated customs certificate confirming the legal stay of your vehicle in Northern Cyprus.

Additional conditions and restrictions

• If the car is not registered to you, you must have a notarized power of attorney authorizing you to import the vehicle, translated into Turkish. Without it, entry is impossible. The nearest translator to the port is the “Veles” office.
• If you leave Northern Cyprus without the vehicle, you must inform the border officers. If necessary, a declaration is completed confirming that the car will remain on the island and will not be transferred to third parties.
• If you depart through Ercan Airport with a residence permit, no documents need to be completed — data about your car is stored automatically.
• The vehicle may be driven only by the person who imported it, or by another driver — only in their presence.
• If the car is registered to your spouse, you must provide:
  • the in & out certificate,
  • a translated copy of the marriage certificate,
  • passport, driver’s license, and insurance listing the second driver.
  Based on these documents, customs will add the second driver to the permit.

Summary: A vehicle with foreign license plates may be used in Northern Cyprus for no more than 12 months. After this period, it must either be exported or cleared through customs and re-registered. Follow the rules to avoid fines and customs issues.