Foreign nationals who wish to convert their existing driving licence to a TRNC driving licence are required to register with a driving school. Applicants must complete a total of 8 hours of daytime driving lessons and 2 hours of nighttime driving lessons. This procedure also applies to dual-national TRNC citizens.

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Applications may only be submitted once tourist status has ended; applicants must therefore hold valid residency, exemption status, or a work permit.

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The driving school applies for a learner’s permit on the applicant’s behalf and arranges the theory test, which typically involves identifying a small number of road signs.

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According to reports from previous applicants, the required driving lessons and the practical test are often formally signed off without an additional examination; however, procedures may vary.

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​The total cost (lessons + licence) is approximately 20,000 TL, though prices may vary by driving school. The stated cost includes the issuance of the learner’s permit and a five-year TRNC driving licence.

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Translation of regulation from the Official Gazette (2022), below: 

For 180 days from the date of entry of this (Amendment) Regulation, 
the following rules are to be applied to foreign driving license holders : 

(1) A person holding a valid driving license issued in a foreign country needs to have obtained a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus within the period specified in paragraph (3) of Article 45 
Article 45 paragraph 3 states that this is within 1 month of losing visitor status in the TRNC. 

(2) A valid driving licence issued in a foreign country other than the Republic of Turkey. 
person needs to; 

(A) Apply to the Driver's License Renewal Unit by submitting their current 
driving license and pay the fee for a 5 (five) year TRNC driving license. 

(B) Attend a driving school within one week from the date of application. The applicant must take driving lessons for a minimum of five days, where eight hours are day-time and two hours are night-time lessons. 
These lessons are to be under the supervision of a driving school instructor and the vehicle used needs to one provided by the driving school. 

(C) At the end of the five-day training period, the driving school will issue a signed and stamped document declaring that the lessons have been completed. 
(Ç) The applicant needs to take the document obtained from the driving school and submit it together with the receipt received from the Driving Licence Renewal Unit and apply for a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus driving licence within one month. 

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2. This Regulation shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the Resmi (Official) Gazette.