More than half of school buses failed to attend an emergency inspection on time, while serious gaps in safety and supervision have been identified by the Audit Office in a report dated 18 June 2026.
According to the findings, 35% of school buses inspected nationwide at Public Vehicle Technical Inspection Centres were deemed unfit. At the same time, 53% of all school buses did not attend the mandatory emergency technical inspection by the deadline of 28 November 2025.
The issue is particularly serious, as it concerns vehicles used daily to transport students to and from schools.
Unfit but still operating
Inspections revealed that five school buses previously deemed unfit by the Department of Road Transport in Famagusta continued to operate and transport students.
These buses did not hold a valid roadworthiness certificate, which, according to the Audit Office, constitutes a serious violation of legislation.
Questions over MOT centres
Concern is also raised by the fact that 19% of buses deemed unfit by district transport offices had previously passed inspection at private MOT centres.
In several cases, the two inspections were carried out within a very short period, even within a week. According to the Audit Office, this raises questions about the reliability and rigour of checks carried out by these centres.
Without valid certificates
Among the buses that attended inspection centres by 28 November 2025, 14% did not have a valid MOT certificate, as required by Ministry of Transport guidelines.
The highest percentage was recorded in Limassol at 22%, followed by Famagusta at 19% and Paphos at 13%.
Low compliance across districts
No district recorded full compliance with inspection requirements.
Limassol showed the highest attendance rate at 70%, followed by Larnaca at 49%, Nicosia at 35%, Paphos at 34% and Famagusta at 29%.
The highest failure rates were recorded in Famagusta, where 76% of inspected buses were deemed unfit. In Larnaca and Paphos, the rate was 47%, in Limassol 39%, and in Nicosia 8%.
Audit Office recommendations
The Audit Office calls for immediate corrective measures. Among other actions, it recommends meaningful sanctions against MOT centres when inspections are found to be ineffective, as well as consequences for contractors who fail to comply with Ministry guidelines.
It also calls for strict enforcement to ensure that buses classified as unfit are immediately withdrawn from transporting students and do not return to the roads without a new valid certificate.
Ministry warns of disruption
In its response, the Ministry of Transport states that the Department of Road Transport has taken steps to ensure contractor compliance and that penalties have been imposed in several cases.
However, it notes that the immediate and universal suspension of roadworthiness certificates could effectively lead to a paralysis of student transport, with serious operational and social consequences.
