Driving licence in Turkey

Driving licence in Turkey (Turkish: Sürücü belgesi) is a document issued by the relevant government agency, regional or local security force, confirming the rights of the holder to drive motor vehicles. Driving licence exams are regulated by the Ministry of National Education (Turkey) while the licence is issued by the General Directorate of Security.

Turkey has been an associate member since 1963, and application to accede to the European Economic Community, the predecessor of the European Union (EU), was made on 14 April 1987. ^[1] Turkey signed a Customs Union agreement with the EU in 1995 and was officially recognised as a candidate for full membership on 12 December 1999, at the Helsinki summit of the European Council.

On 1st January 2016 new Turkish laws concerning driving licences were implemented.^[2][3] The changes are intended to bring Turkey more in line with existing EU driving regulations and concern all road users in Turkey. A foreign national can drive in Turkey with an EU license for 6 months. After 6 months he/she has to change it to a Turkish licence. Application can be made to any Traffic Registration office, and the foreign driving licences will not be returned to holders. Instead they will be sent to the issuing authority of the country of origin i.e. for British nationals, DVLA. The DVLA says that expats can drive in the UK on a Turkish licence for up to 12 months, and if they wish to settle back in the UK, the Turkish license can be exchanged for a UK license. ^[4]

In Turkey you must be at least 18 years old in order to drive a car and at least 17 to drive a motorbike. The driving test comprises a practical and theory test, which has been recently made tougher in order to meet European Union regulations. ^[5]

Requirements for Turkish citizens

In order to get a licence, applicant must fulfill these requirements:^[6][7][8]

• Driving school certificate
• Original and photocopy of ID card
• Health Report
• Blood group document
• Two photos, one biometric photo
• Driver's licence card fees
• Criminal record certificate
• Finger print

Requirements for foreigners

Application forms available from the Driver’s Association office (Şoförler Odasi) at the local Transport Registration Department. Requirements:^[9]

• Original valid foreign driving licence
• Notarised Turkish translation of the driving licence
• Original and copy of the residence permit (Ikamet) or Turkish identification card
• 5 identity-sized photographs (required at various steps of the process)
• Original criminal report which can be obtained from the local court house (valid 12-months from issue)
• Original health report issued by a local state health centre (Sağlık Ocağı) or private clinic; photos required (valid 12-months from issue)
• Blood group certificate (can be requested from a clinic or health centre)
• Receipt from the tax authorities showing that the relevant driving licence fee has been paid (cost depends on the class of licence being exchanged)
• Payment for delivery of the credit card-sized photo-ID driving licence
• Validity #NA

Classes

Class	Description	Age of acquisition	Valid in
F	Tractors	18 years	Turkey
G	Work vehicles	18 years	Turkey

See also

• European driving licence
• Vehicle registration plates of Turkey
• Turkish identity card
• Turkish passport

References

External links