Turkey has long been a popular tourist destination, attracting a large number of visitors from many countries. For those who enjoy in-depth travel, a self-driving tour is undoubtedly the most comfortable way to explore. However, whether you are shipping your own car to Turkey or renting one locally like many others, you must comply with Turkish driving regulations.
1. Basic Turkish Driving Rules
First, traffic in Turkey drives on the right, and speed limits are in kph. The speed limit is 50 kph in urban areas, 90 kph in suburban areas, and 120 kph on highways. If you are driving in rural areas of Turkey, especially at night, please be particularly alert for stray livestock or animals to avoid physical or material damage. Turkish drivers tend to be aggressive; therefore, if you are driving in Turkey for the first time, you must prioritize safety and avoid honking unnecessarily. In areas such as during Ramadan, traffic accident rates tend to be higher, so extra caution is required.
2. Driving on Toll Roads
Toll roads are common in Turkey, and many are part of the High-Speed Toll System (HGS). On general toll roads, you can pay with cash, but on roads under the High-Speed Toll System, cash or cards cannot be used. Instead, you must register for the HGS automatic toll system. To complete the relevant procedures, you need to take your visa or residence permit to a local post office or bank and request an HGS transponder. The transponder costs 5 TL and must be topped up with 30 TL to begin use. Then, stick it to the top center of the windshield. When passing through a toll station, the fee will be automatically deducted from your account. If you pass through an HGS toll station without a transponder, an alarm will sound, cameras will take a photo, and you will receive a fine ten times the toll amount.
3. Driving Licenses in Turkey
Foreign driving licenses are valid for driving in Turkey for up to six months. However, one of the following two documents is required:
1) An International Driving Permit (IDP). Unlike an international driver's license, you can apply for an IDP at a post office or the AA.
2) A Turkish translation of your UK driving license—this copy must be notarized to be valid.
After six months, a foreign driving license must be converted into a local license. To convert it, you need to obtain and complete the required forms from the relevant authorities, then have your passport and driving license translated and notarized. If a health check is required in your area, please arrange it with your local hospital. Then, go to the tax office to pay the relevant driving license fees and submit all materials to the police station, where they will verify the details of the country that originally issued your current license. After about a month and a half, once the relevant materials have been reviewed and your fingerprints have been taken, you will receive your Turkish driving license.
4. Bringing a Car to Turkey
If you are a foreign resident—for example, if you reside outside of Turkey for 185 days a year—and your car is registered abroad, you can bring your car to Turkey for a maximum stay of 730 days. To do this, you need to apply for a temporary transit permit or a transit document from the Ministry of the Interior.
5. Buying and Registering a Car in Turkey
Most foreign residents can purchase a car after arriving here. Fortunately, if the buyer has already obtained a residence permit, they can purchase a car without paying value-added tax (VAT). After purchasing a car, you need to complete the registration process, which involves the notarization and translation of certain documents.