The Road Transport Department has released draft regulations for public consultation that would extend the first MOT for rental passenger cars and light goods vehicles to three years after they first enter service. Currently the requirement is two years for these vehicles, which fall under categories M1 and N1. Under the proposal, the initial test would be delayed by an additional year while the annual testing regime would remain unchanged.
The change is being pushed at the request of the Cyprus Car Rental Owners Association. The association argues that rental vehicles accumulate high mileage in their early years, making a longer interval before the first inspection more realistic. Officials say the adjustment should lower the cost and administrative burden for rental companies when checking relatively new vehicles.
Private car owners will see no shift in the schedule. Regular passenger cars continue to undergo their first test after four years and then every two years thereafter. The new rules for rental fleets have not been implemented yet. The amending regulations must still complete the approval process before they become law.