Destinations / Turkey
Driving in Turkey as a visitor
Usually yes. Turkey expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Turkey expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 140 km/h otoyol motorways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in TRY. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Tolls | HGS/OGS electronic tolls on motorways and bridges. |
|---|---|
| Seatbelts | Headlights and seatbelts mandatory. |
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit; zero if towing. |
| Documents | Carry passport, licence and IDP. |
On the road in Turkey
At the pump
Stations are attendant-served; petrol is 'benzin' (95 octane Kursunsuz) and diesel is 'motorin', both among Europe's pricier fuels at roughly 45-50 TL per litre. Cards are accepted everywhere.
After a crash
Call 112 (single emergency number) and, on any injury or disagreement, the traffic police (155). Do not move the vehicles until police arrive unless they block traffic dangerously; a police report ('kaza tutanagi') is needed for insurance.
Sources: turing.tr · tollguru.com · turkiyetoday.com · avis.co.uk
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Turkey?
Usually yes. Turkey expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Turkey accept?
Turkey recognises the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Turkey ask for one?
Requested for non-Latin-script and non-EU licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.