How to Get a Category AM Driving Licence in Cyprus?

From 1 January 2026, Cyprus stopped letting AM learner permit holders ride independently, the same crackdown that hit A1 riders, and one specifically aimed at ending the practice of delivery riders working indefinitely on learner status without ever completing their license. This piece covers what AM authorizes, current requirements, and significant regulatory changes.

What category does AM cover?

AM authorizes two- or three-wheeled mopeds with a maximum design speed over 25 km/h but not exceeding 45 km/h, as well as light quadricycles with an unladen mass not exceeding 350 kg (excluding battery weight for electric versions) within the same speed range.

Minimum age

You can obtain a learner’s license for AM from 17, ahead of completing the full licensing process.

The 2026 change to learner permits

This is genuinely important if you’re currently riding on a learner permit. Under the Driving License (Amendment) Law of 2023, from 1 January 2026 onward, AM learner permit holders can no longer use their permits to ride independently, including for delivery work, a practice that had become common. Riding is now only permitted during official training sessions under a licensed instructor’s supervision or during the official driving examination itself. If you haven’t passed your full test by that date, you lose the ability to ride solo on a learner permit alone.

Why the reform matters for delivery riders specifically

The learner-permit restriction specifically targets a pattern that had become common in Cyprus: riders working delivery jobs for extended periods on learner status, without ever completing the full licensing process. Under the new rules, that route is genuinely closed — riding solo on a learner permit, for work or otherwise, is no longer an option once the restriction applies.

The theory and practical exam

Preparation typically includes theoretical lessons on road safety, moped mechanics, and the Traffic Code, as well as practical riding lessons with an instructor. The Traffic Code itself, covering signs, rules of the road, and exam-style questions, forms the core study material for the theoretical component.

Eligibility requirements

• Residency in Cyprus for at least six continuous months before applying
• A valid legal basis for remaining in Cyprus, such as proof of employment or study
• Compliance with Cypriot social insurance contributions through employment or self-employment

Documents you’ll need

• Two recent photographs, 40x35mm
• Identification card or passport
• Your previous driving license or learner’s permit, if you already hold one
• A health certificate, if you’re 70 or older

What it costs

The application fee is €40 for applicants under 65 and free for those 65 and older; confirm current amounts with the Department of Road Transport, since fees are periodically reviewed.

The application process

All documents must be submitted in person at a Road Transport Department office or a Citizen Service Center (KEP). Processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to three months, depending on the accuracy of your documentation and appointment availability. Booking your practical test as early as possible is worthwhile, since appointments fill up quickly.

Automatic transmission

As with other EU-aligned systems, testing on an automatic-transmission moped typically restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only.

Where AM sits in Cyprus’s motorcycle system

Above AM, Cyprus runs A1 from 18 (learner license from 17.5, up to 125cc/11kW), A2 from 20 (up to 400cc), and full Category A from 24 direct, or 22 with two years’ A2 experience.

Validity

An AM license is valid for 15 years, matching Categories A1, A2, and A.

Foreign license conversion

Foreign nationals holding a valid driver’s license from an approved country may be able to convert it directly to a Cypriot equivalent without additional lessons or a driving test, provided they meet the six-month residency requirement.

Tips that actually help

• If you’re currently riding on an AM learner permit, prioritize completing your full test before independent riding on that permit becomes restricted.
• If you’re a delivery rider relying on a learner permit, understand this route is no longer viable long-term under the new rules.
• Book your practical test appointment as early as possible, given how quickly slots fill.
• Check whether your foreign license qualifies for direct conversion before assuming you need to retake the test from scratch.

Where does this fit going forward?

AM in Cyprus is undergoing genuine regulatory tightening, making it more important than ever to complete your full licensing process rather than relying indefinitely on learner status. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Cyprus and license eligibility pages provide the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements and administrative rules can change — the learner-permit restriction took effect on 1 January 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the official Cypriot source, the Department of Road Transport, before making decisions. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.