There is a driver shortage in Cyprus. The age limit may increase to 72.

Cyprus is considering raising the upper age limit for professional driver license holders from 70 to 72. The proposal is intended to help passenger and freight transport companies struggling to find workers. The proposal is open for public consultation until November 5.

The change would allow older drivers to remain in the profession longer, provided they meet health and other licensing requirements. This is not yet law. Separate consideration is being given to allowing younger drivers to start working in transport earlier.

Two additional years of work

The Department of Road Transport is proposing a change to the law regulating professional driver licensing. The new limit would mean that it is possible to have one. before the age of 72, instead of the current limit of 70 years.

This is an important distinction: the bill does not provide for a full year of work after the age of 72. The idea is to move the limit forward by two years.

The consultation began on October 5 and will last until November 5. Only the subsequent legislative process will determine whether the proposal will be adopted and when it will come into effect.

Companies can't find employees

In the justification for the project, the Road Transport Department points out that previous attempts to find a sufficient number of professional bus and truck drivers have not produced the expected results.

Information provided by transport companies confirms real staffing difficulties. The Office emphasizes the need to provide workers to companies responsible for the transport of passengers and goods.

Raising the upper age limit is intended to allow experienced drivers who still meet professional and health requirements to remain in the market. However, it does not automatically solve all staffing and transportation problems.

Older drivers undergo additional tests

The proposal once again draws attention to the assessment of the health status of persons carrying out transport professionally.

According to a Department of Road Transport official quoted by Philenews, drivers over 65 are already subject to extensive medical examinations. Around five or six doctors of various specialties are involved in assessing their fitness to work.

Raising the age limit alone doesn't automatically extend every driver's license. Proof of fitness to work will still be required.

The official also spoke about the increased frequency of professional licensing exams – they may be held up to four times a year. This information concerns exams, not the frequency of medical examinations.

Will younger drivers also benefit?

According to Philenews, lowering the minimum age limit is also being considered so that younger people can start working in the industry earlier.

The newspaper lists the current age thresholds as 21 for truck drivers and 24 for bus drivers. However, a professional license and the right to drive a specific vehicle category are separate requirements.

Therefore, the draft's provision regarding the 21-year-old age requirement does not, in itself, mean that all 21-year-olds will be permitted to drive buses professionally. The presented material does not provide a specific new minimum threshold or a date for its possible introduction.

Pame Express showed the scale of the problem

An example of staffing difficulties was Cyprus Public Transport's announcement in March to suspend the Pame Express service in Nicosia.

At the time, the carrier reported that it was 50 to 70 drivers short of fully meeting its needs and schedules. It attributed part of the problem to regulations regarding the employment of workers in this profession.

The current project is another attempt to address staffing shortages. For now, however, drivers and carriers must adhere to the existing rules—the proposal under consultation does not yet change their rights.

Sources: Philenews, Road Transport Department – Public Consultation Platform.