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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.
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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. 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. 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.
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.
Requirements for Turkish citizens
In order to get a licence, applicant must fulfill these requirements:
Requirements for foreigners
Application forms available from the Driver’s Association office (Şoförler Odasi) at the local Transport Registration Department. Requirements: