Is It Possible to Buy a “Vanity” License Plate in Cyprus?

If you want to stand out with a memorable license plate, you can officially do so in Cyprus.

Here are a few steps to follow and the contact points for this procedure.

• When It’s Possible to Purchase a “Vanity” Plate
• Steps to Obtain a Memorable Plate
• Frequently Asked Questions about License Plates in Cyprus

When It’s Possible to Purchase a “Vanity” Plate

If you’re buying a used car on the local market, don’t expect it to come with a “vanity” plate. Typically, it will have a mismatched “hodgepodge” of letters and numbers. Additionally, you won’t be able to change the license plate. According to Cypriot regulations, the plate transfers “by inheritance” to the new owner. A different situation arises if you’re purchasing a new vehicle from a dealer or importing a car and registering it. In this case, the buyer has the right to choose a plate.

Steps to Obtain a Memorable Plate

If you need a “vanity” license plate, you can buy one at auction. License plate auctions in Cyprus began in 2016. Given the interest of island residents in purchasing plates with “lucky” number combinations, authorities decided to monetize this process, generating several million euros for the state treasury in a short time.

Auctions are open only to owners of new cars. Bids start at 50 euros and can go up indefinitely. Each series of auctions is time-limited. At the end of the auction, “lucky” plates go to those who bid the highest price. All other plates are sold at a price of 100 euros.

License plate auctions in Cyprus are conducted on the Department of Road Transport’s website. To view available options and buy a desired plate, you must register on the Department’s portal. To do so, you need a local license. Without it, you won’t be able to register or log in, even to see the current options.

To register on the Department of Road Transport’s website, you’ll need to fill out a special form providing standard information: name, surname, ID details, driver’s license number, etc.

Then, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete the registration process. Now you’ll be able not only to participate in license plate auctions but also to access various useful information.

Frequently Asked Questions about License Plates in Cyprus

What Are the Most Popular “Vanity” Plates in Cyprus?

License plates in Cyprus are considered attractive if at least two letters or numbers match. The more matches, the more memorable and prestigious the plate. The most popular plates on the island generally end in 001, 777, and 999.

Can the Greek Alphabet Be Used in License Plates?

License plates in Cyprus follow certain rules. Only 12 letters from the alphabet are used: A, B, E, H, K, M, N, P, T, X, Y, Z. You’ll never see specific Greek letters, such as Ω or Ξ, on cars on the island.

Which License Plates Are Rarely Seen in Cyprus?

Since Cypriots are very religious, numbers like 13, 69, and 666 will never appear on license plates. The ban on 666 was introduced in 1998 after numerous complaints from locals who considered seeing a car with the number 666 to be bad luck. Similarly, plates with 13 and 69 were banned in 2002.

Is It Possible to Put Your Name on a License Plate?

In 2017, the Department of Motor Vehicles developed a law permitting license plates like ANDREAS, NATASHA, or ILOVEYOU. However, after intense debate, the Cypriot parliament rejected this idea.

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