Turkey, enjoys remarkably scenic landscapes and has played vital historic roles; this, together with long sandy and pebble beaches, attracts millions of foreigners, both as tourists and new residents. Turkey is currently concentrating on strengthening its infrastructure with good roads and other means of transport. Carsharing services are common here. Foreigners often take cars with them to move comfortably, as in their country. That is why the topic of getting and using an existing driving license is relevant for lots of people. In this article we will tell you what rules apply in Turkey in this regard. If you are interested in moving or investing in real estate in Turkey, you can always get a free and detailed consultation from our experts.
Content:
- Important nuances for using a driving license in Turkey
- How to get a driving license in Turkey?
- Getting a driving license in Turkey from scratch
- Important nuances when getting driving license from scratch
- Investing in Turkish real estate
Important nuances for using a driving license in Turkey
Foreigners have the right to drive a car in Turkey for a certain period of time with their valid driving license, which they received in their country. It is equal to 6 months after the visa requirements are fulfilled. At the same time, they must have a photo on the rights. If it is not available, the driver must present an international certificate or a special permit (IDL/P).
Please note: you can only drive land vehicles with an international driving license. If we are talking about other types of transport, the rights must have a notarized translation valid on the territory of Turkey.
How to get a driving license in Turkey?
Foreigners with a valid driving license are not required to take the driving license exam. They need to make an appointment on the official website of the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, as well as contact the Department of Population, setting a date and place of the meeting.
The documents for getting a driving license in Turkey that you need to provide are as follows:
- identity ID;
- health certificate;
- document, which confirms fee payment for getting a driving license;
- one biometric photo;
- original and color photocopy of the driving license obtained in your country;
- consular or notarized translation of the driving license into Turkish;
- certificate of criminal record;
- information about the blood type;
- notarized certificate of foreign citizen’s education, which is translated into Turkish.
After a person has submitted the above documents, he/she is issued a new driving license. It is sent to the address a person indicated via RTT.
Getting a driving license in Turkey from scratch
If you do not have a driving license in Turkey, you are obliged to get it from scratch. To do this, you need to go through some stages:
- enroll in a driving school;
- successfully pass the theory exam;
- pass the driving test;
- get a certificate of academic performance at a driving school;
- submit an application to the Department of Population.
Each vehicle in Turkey has its own license class. A person with a car license cannot drive every vehicle on the roads. There are a total of 17 license classes:
- M, A1, A2, A – for motorcycles;
- B, BE – for cars;
- C1, C1E, C, CE – for trucks;
- D1, D1E, D, DE – for buses and minibuses;
- F – class for tractors;
- G – for working machines.
There are fees for each type of driving license. In 2023, you need to pay 825 TL for class A, 2,490 TL for class B and 4,155 TL for other classes.
Important nuances when getting driving license from scratch
When enrolling in a driving school under the Ministry of National Education in Turkey, the driver provides a package of documents:
- six biometric photos;
- health certificate;
- certificate of criminal record;
- information about the blood type;
- marriage certificate.
After enrolling in a driving school and passing the theory exam, the student takes a written exam. The obligatory limit is 70 points. In total, a person can try to pass a written exam four times. If the exam fails for some reason, the student has the right to take it again. To do this, you need to deposit 160 TL.
There are also four attempts to take the driving test. To do this, you need to write a petition to the Ministry of National Education within 45 days. If these four attempts are unsuccessful, it is necessary to enroll in a driving school again for re-training.
To apply for a driving license, you need to make an appointment online on the website of the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs or by calling the ALO 199 hotline.
Investing in Turkish real estate
Having a car in Turkey is convenient both for families and for individual use. It is easy to travel between cities by car. In addition, you can explore almost the whole of Turkey by car, visit the picturesque Trabzon with lush tea plantations and Alpine landscapes, magical Cappadocia, travel all over Antalya and the Aegean coast. Getting a driving license is a fairly simple procedure, although it has its own characteristics.
Contact us in a way that is convenient for you. We will answer all your questions related to buying a house or apartment in Turkey, getting a residence permit or buying a car.
