Vehicle owners throughout Cyprus have been alerted to the commencement of the 2026 annual road tax renewal period, which officially began on January 7th. A strict deadline of March 11th has been established for all renewals. However, a substantial number of drivers are currently facing an unforeseen obstacle, preventing them from completing this essential procedure. This impediment is directly attributed to unresolved issues concerning the mandatory replacement of faulty Takata airbags. Approximately 11,000 vehicles have been identified as ineligible for renewal due to outstanding airbag recall notifications.
The online renewal system offers flexibility, allowing payments in three, six, nine, or twelve-month instalments. A prerequisite for successful renewal is the possession of a valid certificate of roadworthiness and active insurance coverage. Crucially, the underlying cause for the non-compliance among these 11,000 vehicles is their failure to undergo the required airbag replacements. The Road Transport Department (RTD) has implemented a policy that prohibits vehicles identified with potentially defective Takata airbags from renewing their road tax until the safety defect has been rectified and the vehicle subsequently inspected.
This stringent policy is part of a comprehensive safety initiative designed to ensure that all vehicles operating on Cypriot roads adhere to fundamental safety standards. The RTD has been actively communicating with vehicle owners regarding the Takata airbag recalls, a process that has been underway for a considerable duration. Initially, an estimated 100,500 vehicles were designated for these vital airbag replacements. While the majority of owners have complied with these directives, a persistent backlog of unresolved cases remains. Recent figures indicate that approximately 7,000 vehicles from a February 2025 announcement still await their scheduled replacements. Furthermore, an additional 19,500 vehicles were added to the recall list after February 2025, with 4,000 of these yet to have the necessary safety work completed.
A critical factor contributing to this situation is the expiration of an eight-month grace period that had been allocated for recall notifications. For vehicles where this designated timeframe has elapsed without the airbag replacement being undertaken, the RTD’s system now automatically flags them as ineligible for road tax renewal. Consequently, these vehicles are legally prohibited from being driven on public roads until the critical safety issue is resolved. Constantinos Kouppis, an RTD Officer, emphasised the inflexibility of the approaching deadline, stating, "No extension will be given, as this is not provided for in the legislation." He further elaborated on the ongoing nature of the recall process, noting, "We stand at 90 per cent of implementation. It is a dynamic process, as more vehicles are being continually added for recalls."
The consequences of failing to meet the March 11th deadline are substantial for affected motorists. Drivers who do not renew their road tax will incur surcharges, beginning with an additional €10 alongside 10% of the annual registration fee. This financial penalty underscores the department's firm stance on timely compliance with regulations. The RTD has clarified that the renewal process is only officially considered complete upon reaching the "Print Registration Licence" screen. For individuals encountering difficulties or requiring direct assistance, the department strongly advises visiting RTD district offices or Citizen Service Centres in person.
An additional concern for vehicle owners pertains to the status of vehicles that were not renewed or were formally declared immobilised during 2025. These vehicles risk being permanently removed from the RTD register unless all outstanding fees are settled and the 2026 licence is secured before the impending deadline. Motorists who do not intend to renew their road tax for the current year are earnestly encouraged to formally declare their vehicle as immobilised through the online portal to avoid continuous circulation fee obligations. The RTD anticipates a significant volume of renewals, with an estimated 750,000 vehicles expected to complete the process, and is issuing a warning against a last-minute rush that could potentially lead to system congestion.