Any foreign citizen in Turkey has the right to drive using their home-country driver’s license for six months, provided visa requirements are met or a residence permit (IKAMET) is held.
After six months, foreign licenses must be exchanged for Turkish licenses.
Exchanging Foreign Licenses for Turkish Licenses
If you reside in Turkey for over 180 days, you must exchange your license. Some foreigners briefly cross the border to “reset” the six-month period, but if you plan to stay long-term, it’s best to follow the official procedure.
Steps to Exchange Your License:
- Appointment: Book via the NVI website (https://randevu.nvi.gov.tr) or phone (199). Select “Sürücü Belgesi,” fill in your name, residence permit number, and date of birth. Choose the correct Nüfus Müdürlüğü branch.
- Visit Office: Attend your appointment with passport, IKAMET, and current driver’s license. Enter the electronic queue and submit your exchange application.
- Medical Exam: Conducted by private clinics, includes vision check, blood group, and Rh factor.
- Pay Fees: State fee in 2024 is approx. 5200 TRY, payable at post office or bank.
- Second Appointment: Bring the full document package including the original foreign license. Documents are verified and sent to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs if applicable.
- Receive Turkish License: New plastic card sent by courier or mail. Temporary license issued during processing.
- You will then receive an SMS with information about how much you need to pay and where. To avoid running around to different branches, you can pay at PTT (Turkish Post). Take a number from the post office and pay. Payment is accepted only in lira.
Required Documents:
- Passport and notarized translation
- Residence permit (IKAMET)
- Blood type certificate
- Medical report (Sürücü Sağlık Raporu) including ophthalmologist check
- Biometric photo
- Original and copy of foreign license, notarized translation
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Education diploma with translation
The entire process takes 3 to 6 months. After that, you’ll be able to legally drive in Turkey.
Obtaining a Turkish License from Scratch
- Enroll in driving school.
- Submit documents: passport, diploma, medical report, photos, residence permit, no-criminal record certificate.
- Pass driving exam (up to 4 attempts).
- Receive certificate from driving school (auto-recorded).
- Submit documents and pay fees to Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü.
- Receive license by mail within ~2 weeks.
Training at a driving school and passing the exams takes 2-4 months. Everything depends on your driving skills and the driving school itself. Tuition starts at 11,850 lira.
You can study at a Russian driving school, but the prices there are much higher (from 15,000 lira).
Important note: after receiving your license in Turkey, you will be considered a novice driver (Stajer). If you are involved in an accident resulting in serious damage, injury, or death due to your fault, your license will be revoked. Also, if you drive under the influence of alcohol (more than 0.1 ppm), your license will also be revoked, and you will have to start training from the beginning.
Additional questions:
1.What should I do if my foreign driving license expires in Turkey?
If your foreign driving license has expired in Turkey, you should contact your local State Traffic Police office to clarify procedures and whether temporary use is possible.
2. What are the benefits of exchanging a foreign driving license for a Turkish one?
Exchanging your foreign driver’s license for a Turkish one allows you to avoid potential fines for using an expired foreign license and legalizes your driving status in the country.
3. Can I take the Turkish driving license test in a foreign language?
The theoretical exam is conducted in Turkish, but some driving schools provide translators to support foreign students. However, knowing basic Turkish terms will facilitate successful completion of the exam.
The data is provided for informational purposes only and does not have a commercial basis.
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