Starting from the first of next month, the road transport department will enforce new learner motorcycle licensing rules requiring learner riders to be supervised by a licensed instructor on public roads during their training. Learner permits will only be valid for training purposes and will have a maximum two-year validity. The new regulations also cover official driving exams and authorized training for emergency services.

These changes are expected to significantly disrupt the food delivery sector, where many riders operate under learner permits, often being foreign nationals. Industry representatives warn that full licensing requirements will now be mandatory, complicating recruitment and work arrangements. Delays in processing documentation, especially for foreign workers, add to the challenges faced.

Authorities emphasize that learner permits are intended strictly for learning and not for employment. They urge all learner permit holders to schedule their driving tests promptly to secure full licenses within the new regulatory framework. The updated rules aim to improve road safety but are anticipated to impact the delivery service workforce across Cyprus.