**NICOSIA, Cyprus** – Vehicle owners across Cyprus are being reminded of the impending deadline for the free renewal of their 2026 road tax, with the clock ticking down to midnight on Wednesday, March 11th. The Road Transport Department (RTD), under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, has been processing renewals since January 7th, but a significant number of vehicle proprietors have yet to fulfil this annual obligation, risking substantial surcharges and potential deregistration.
As of Saturday, March 8th, approximately 677,000 vehicles had successfully renewed their road tax for the upcoming year. This figure, while substantial, represents a slight decrease compared to the 680,670 renewals recorded by the same date in the previous year, prompting a renewed call for prompt action from the authorities. Failure to meet the deadline will result in a penalty of €10, in addition to ten percent of the annual road tax fee, a financial deterrent designed to encourage timely compliance.
The RTD facilitates renewals for periods of three, six, nine, or twelve months, and the process can be completed online via the department's website (rtd.mcw.gov.cy) or through other designated channels. A valid roadworthiness certificate and insurance are prerequisite for any renewal. Crucially, vehicle owners who have no intention of using their vehicles in the coming year and wish to avoid the road tax entirely must proactively file a vehicle immobilisation notice. Similarly, those who have permanently decommissioned their vehicles must submit a cancellation of registration form (RTD 98A) along with a destruction certificate to be absolved of tax liability from the date of scrapping.
However, the convenience of online renewal is not universally applicable. A specific cohort of vehicle owners, including those operating embassy vehicles, United Nations vehicles, quarry vehicles, and private buses used by large families, as well as owners of classic vehicles with special licensing and certain other organisational entities, are excluded from the online process. These individuals and organisations are required to undertake their renewals through alternative, likely in-person, RTD procedures.
The implications for non-compliance are significant. Vehicles that have not had their 2025 licences renewed and have not been formally immobilised will be struck from the RTD register. This deregistration will occur if outstanding fees are not settled and the 2026 licences are not renewed by the March 11th deadline. This measure aims to ensure that the vehicle registry accurately reflects currently roadworthy and legally taxed vehicles, preventing the accumulation of undeclared and untaxed vehicles on the island's roads.
The RTD has consistently emphasised that no renewal reminder notices are dispatched to vehicle owners, placing the onus entirely on the individual to stay informed and adhere to the stipulated deadlines. The department's proactive approach in opening renewals well in advance of the deadline is intended to mitigate the risk of system overload during the final days of the renewal period, ensuring a smoother experience for all users. As the deadline looms, vehicle owners are strongly advised to complete their renewals promptly to avoid incurring penalties and potential administrative complications.