Confusion continues over the circulation status of four-wheel motorcycles and buggy-type vehicles, as highlighted during discussions at the Parliamentary Transport Committee, with MPs expressing frustration over lack of progress despite the issue being raised a year ago.
The committee heard allegations that the Road Transport Department “knows who owns these vehicles and there is suspicion they are being rented without the department taking any action”, with some operators illegally renting them to tourists.
AKEL MP Costas Costa stated: “Nothing has been done for a year, it’s as if we’re hearing the same things as last year. This issue must return within a month at the latest and the Road Transport Department must convene a meeting with all involved parties and bring a solution to Parliament”.
According to submissions, driving these vehicles classified as Category T—four-seat buggies with white number plates—requires special licences as they are registered as agricultural tractors.
DEPA MP Marinos Moushiouttas emphasised the need for legality and safety. “We don’t want to interfere with anyone’s business, what we want is for circulating vehicles to be legal and for safety to be ensured, so we don’t mourn victims or have accidents”.
Police representatives noted: “There is a vehicle category registered as tractors, we have to deal with these vehicles and request relevant documents and special Category ST licences”.
Iakovos Lambrou, representing the Importers Association, outlined two main vehicle categories: “There are vehicles registered on roads and driven with car licences (Category L7E) and others in Category T registered as tractors”.
He explained that Category T vehicles cannot be used by rental companies, whilst most drivers lack required licences or insurance. He referenced a fatal accident in Akamas, highlighting insufficient signage issues reported to the Road Transport Department.
MPs questioned: “How logical is it to register them as tractors? Are they rented to tourists? It’s incomprehensible why they’re registered as tractors. Could the Road Transport Department change categories to solve some problems?”.
Nikos Stylianou, representing POVEK, said Category T buggies have few differences from other Category L7E four-wheelers.
“Until 2018, these specific vehicles were in Category L7E and could be rented. However, transferring them to Category T removed this possibility. We propose adding Category T to licence categories so they can be driven with car licences and proper circulation permits issued”.
He criticised the lack of progress following a 14 May meeting with the Road Transport Department. “All they told us was ‘we’ll look into it’. The department brought no proposals whilst we submitted our own”.
The Road Transport Department representative responded: “Vehicles are registered in Category T based on European directive and this cannot change. These vehicles cannot be rented in our country. Specific licences are required to drive them”.
The department opposes including them in rental categories.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism noted this affects the tourism sector, specifically “adventure tourism” primarily concerning Ayia Napa and Akamas areas. “Providing relevant training to users before rental agreements is proposed,” officials concluded.
