If you want more details, please keep on reading. In this post, I will share information and my experiences about<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- using your US driving license in Turkey,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- what documents to carry with you when driving, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- other helpful tips when driving in Turkey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This guide is intended for US Driver License holders, and you can also read my “Can Tourists Drive in Turkey?<\/a>” article for more general information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contrary to common belief, you do not need an International Driving Permit in Turkey. You can drive and also rent a car with your US driving license in Turkey.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tony-lee-OkEGOw9YTIY-unsplash.jpg\")
Driving in Turkey<\/a> may start new adventures.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n 1. Duration that you can use your US Driving License in Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From the date you enter Turkey, you can use a US Driver’s License for 6 months.<\/strong> The time you spent on your previous trips is not added together. Every time you exit and enter Turkey, this 6-month term will restart.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of 6 months, you should get a Turkish Driving License to continue driving in Turkey<\/a>. <\/strong>If you need more information, click to check my article about obtaining a Turkish Driver’s License<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is another exception for Turkish nationals with valid US driving licenses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish nationals can use their US driving license for 2 years on one condition. If you are a Turkish national, after 6 months, you need to translate your driver’s license. (Turkish Road Traffic Regulation Article 88)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving license translation needs to be approved by a public notary or Turkish consulate. This procedure is pretty simple, and it will take one to two hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIf you\u2019re ready to get your car rental in Turkey, my short answer is,\u00a0 I recommend and personally use<\/em> Discover Cars<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> The website searches for both international and local companies, so you always get the best rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also always get their full coverage insurance<\/em> \u2014 which is usually less than $10 USD per day.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Discover-Cars-Link.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n2. You DO Need to Have Your Passport with Your Driving License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Turkish people<\/a> have the compulsory duty to carry their ID cards with them at all times. All foreigners\/tourists are also expected to carry IDs with them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The valid ID for an American citizen is his\/her Passport or Turkish Residence permit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a regular control, the police ask for<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- your passport,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- your driving license,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- vehicle registry documents, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- mandatory vehicle insurance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
On holiday spots, police are usually okay with seeing your driving license only. They may skip controlling your passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need your passport also to prove your entry date to Turkey<\/strong>. As your US Driving license will be valid for 6 months, police need to check the entry date stamped on your passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, most of the time, police are very easy going towards tourists, especially during the summer holiday season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. You do NOT need to Translate your Driving License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is no specific regulation obliging foreigners to carry a translation of their driving licenses.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only Turkish citizens who want to use their license for more than 6 months up to 2 years, need to translate their US Driving License.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, if you are staying longer than a usual holiday, I advise you to get a notarized Turkish translation of your driving license. This is the best practice to avoid any arguments.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are one or more public notaries in every major town. With a visit to one of these public notaries, you can get a notarized translation quite easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The process will not take much time, but it will depend on the speed and availability of the translator. The cost will be around $60.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. NO International Driver License (IDB) is required for US Driving License Holders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
International Driver’s License is also accepted as a valid driver’s license in Turkey. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to, you can use an International Driver’s License, as well. Yet, if you have a US Driving License with a photo, you do not need it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Surucu-belgesi.jpg\")
A sample Turkish Driving License
Courtesy of the Turkish Population Registry<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-1.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n5. You can Rent a Car With a US Driving License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can rent a car with a US Driving License in Turkey. Your US Driving Licence must have a photo. Some rental companies may deny renting a car<\/a> to people who are younger than 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can hire a car from Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Alamo, Budget, and many other local and international rental companies in Turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before renting a car,<\/strong> I usually check car rental companies’ scores and reviews at Discover Cars<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renting from local companies with low ratings in Discover Cars may not be the best idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These rental companies may demand additional charges at the end of the contract. (like scratches in the paint of the car, which you are not responsible for) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\ude97\ud83d\udca8 Ready to book your car rental? <\/strong>Click the link to book directly with Discover Cars<\/strong>,<\/a> which searches all national and local companies to get you the best rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.1 I advise you to get full insurance when renting a car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
All cars insured in Turkey are insured by mandatory traffic insurance for damages you may inflict on other people or cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to the heavy sales tax on motor vehicles, cars are a lot more expensive in Turkey than in Europe or the USA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes mandatory insurance coverage limits are low to cover all third-party losses. Plus, compulsory insurance does not reduce your liability if you are the faulty one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a Turkish lawyer, I would suggest you obtain full insurance from your rental company to protect you from unwanted liability. Better safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.2 Renting a car costs between 15-40 US Dollars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The price of renting a car in Turkey<\/a> is around 15-40 Dollars per day. The cost does not include fuel. The availability and the price significantly differ from city to city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Click to read my article for additional renting and driving tips in Turkey.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-2.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n6. For longer stays, You Need to take exams to get a Turkish Driving License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
American citizens can obtain Turkish Driving Licenses by following the necessary steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
American citizens need to attend driving courses (30 Hours) and 12 hours of driving lessons and then pass the written exam and driving exam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find more information on this subject in my article “2 Ways for Foreigners to get a Turkish Driver’s License<\/strong><\/a>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Driving in Turkey is similar to driving in the USA, but with its differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Both Turkey and the USA drive on the right-hand side of the road<\/a>, which may make the transition easier for American drivers in Turkey than those from left-hand driving countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most significant difference is the drivers’ behaviors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compared to American drivers, Turkish drivers are often described as more assertive. For example, horn honking is common in Turkey, which is less prevalent in the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other than road signals and rules have slight differences but feel very similar to the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Do Not drive after you drink alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Drinking is legal in Turkey<\/a>, but Do Not drive after you drink alcohol<\/strong>. The alcohol limit is very low in Turkey, and the police are very strict about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was easy to bribe traffic police officers in my childhood days, but those days are long gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the USA, 0.08 BAC (blood alcohol content) is the legal limit when driving. In Turkey, the legal limit is lower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-commercial drivers like tourists and regular citizens have a legal limit of 0.05% BAC. Commercial drivers have no legal limit BAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is very easy to pass this limit, even if you drink a glass of wine or just a beer depending on your personal conditions. The alcohol test is a breath test carried out by police officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your test results are above the limit, your driving license is suspended for 6 months, plus a monetary fine will be applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In more serious cases (like accidents), you may be subject to a blood test for alcohol. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If alcohol is found in your blood, there may be more severe consequences. Even if you have no fault<\/strong> in the occurrence of an unwanted incident, you may be deemed guilty. You may also be charged seriously, and insurance may not cover your losses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
So be safe and use taxis<\/a> when you use alcohol. You can come back later to retrieve your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. City Entrance Checkpoints are important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are checkpoints at the exits and entrances of every major settlement. These are both traffic and security control points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please drive carefully and slowly when nearing these checkpoints. Follow the lead of the police on these points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are not stopped because you have done something wrong. These checks are random controls. Turkish police are usually hospitable to tourists, and you will be on your way within a few seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/akin-cakiner-I7lDEH4Y9aU-unsplash.jpg\")
Enjoy the scenery while driving in Turkey<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n 10. Condition of the roads in Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to the World Economic Forum 2019 data, Turkish road quality is<\/strong> better than Italy, Greece, Australia, and South Africa<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkey has a higher road quality than many developed European countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish Road quality has a score of 5.0, and the USA has a 5.5 Road quality score in the same index. (Click for WEF Road Quality Index<\/a>) Turkey ranks 32nd among 141 countries worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most roads between and around major hubs are in excellent condition, but you should be careful on some rural roads that are frequently used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish speed limits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The speed may be confusing because of conflicting speed signs. These are the general speed limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 50 km\/h inside town and cities<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 90 km\/h on regular intercity roads<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 110 km\/h on inter-city divided roads<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 120 km\/h on motorways\/highways<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
11. Parking in Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In Turkey, roadside parking is free unless otherwise indicated in writing or forbidden by a sign. Observe the locals, and you can park as locals do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Gas Stations and Toilets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The service level that you get in gas stations differs very much. If you are a fan of clean toilets like me, my first choice is OPET. The other brands I like are Shell and BP. By the way, the toilets are free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gas stations are plentiful. Most of the gas stations also have a small shop where you can buy snacks and drinks. Most gas stations have a windshield cleaning service available for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Emergency Phone number in Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
112 is the general emergency phone line in Turkey. The Turkish police phone line is 155, and you can also call gendarme with 156 in rural areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, you should call your rental car company for specific instructions in case of any car damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nTurkey Travel Planning Guide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\ude91 Should I buy travel insurance for Turkey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
100% YES! <\/strong>\u2014 With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing<\/strong><\/a>, one of the biggest names in travel insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca7Can you drink tap water in Turkey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rarely <\/strong>\u2014 You\u2019ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle<\/strong>,<\/a> which filters your drinking water so you don\u2019t get sick from drinking water in Turkey, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Turkey. (Read more<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\ude99\ud83d\udca8 Is it safe to rent a car in Turkey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes <\/strong>\u2014 Renting a car in Turkey is one of the best ways to explore the seven regions of Turkey! I always rent with Discover Cars<\/a><\/strong>, which checks both international companies and local Turkish companies, so you get the best rates. (Read more<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfe9 What\u2019s the best way to book my Turkey accommodation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Turkish hotels and hostels, Booking<\/a><\/strong> is the best site. If you\u2019re considering an Airbnb, don\u2019t forget also to check VRBO<\/a><\/strong>, which is often cheaper than Airbnb!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2708\ufe0f What\u2019s the best site to buy flights to Turkey?<\/strong> For finding cheap Turkey flights, I recommend Skyscanner<\/a><\/strong> and Google Flights<\/strong><\/a>. (Read more about the best Turkish Airline Companies.<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- 90 km\/h on regular intercity roads<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 50 km\/h inside town and cities<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n