Turkish Driving License for Expats: Step-by-Step Guide

Expats looking to explore Turkey by car and planning to stay longer than 6 month, you must exchange your foreign driving license for a Turkish one (TR Sürücü Belgesi).

This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on Turkish driving license for foreigners, how to get it and how to speed up the process.

Table of contents

• Can you Drive in Turkey With an International Driving License?
• Driving License in Turkey for Foreigners: Basic Rules
• How to Exchange a Foreign Driving License for a Turkish One?
• How to Get a New Turkish Driving License: Application Guide for Foreigners
• Turkish Driving License Exams
• Documents Required for Turkish Driving License Application
• Turkish Driving License Photo Requirements
• Get Your Turkish Driving License Photo Online!
• Driving License & ID Photo App
• Driving License Cost in Turkey

Can you Drive in Turkey With an International Driving License?

Yes, you can drive with a foreign driving license in Turkey for up to 6 months. After that, you'll have to switch to a Turkish driving license to keep driving legally.

Driving License in Turkey for Foreigners: Basic Rules

Which driving licenses are valid in Turkey? — Any foreign citizen in Turkey is allowed to use their international driving license for Turkey for up to six months from the date of entry into the country. After this period, they will need to obtain a Turkish driving license. If your license isn’t in a Roman alphabet, it's best to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) or get it translated officially.

You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid residence permit to apply for a driving license in Turkey. Without it, you cannot proceed.

To apply, you need to enroll in a driving school, complete the required theoretical and practical training and pass the necessary exams.

If you have a valid driving license from a country that has a reciprocal agreement with Turkey, you can exchange it for a Turkish license without taking any additional tests.

Countries whose licenses can be exchanged are: Albania, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Central African Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica, Denmark, DR Congo, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Georgia, Holland, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Morocco, Montenegro, Mexico, Mongolia, Moldova, Monaco, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Spain, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Seychelles, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Swiss, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK), Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

If your license is not convertible, you can obtain a Turkish license by attending driving school and passing required exams.

How to Exchange a Foreign Driving License for a Turkish One?

Residents of Turkey from eligible countries can exchange their foreign driving licenses with the following documentation:

• Completed application form (available at local Transport Registration Department).
• Valid original foreign driving license.
• Notarized Turkish translation of your license.
• Original and copy of residence permit or Turkish ID.
• Five 5x6 photographs.
• Criminal record report (valid for 12 months).
• Health report (valid for 12 months).
• Blood group certificate.
• Tax payment receipt for license fee.

Note: Application forms must be completed in Turkish. Your original foreign license will be returned to you.

Application Process

• Verify eligibility with the Transport Department
• Collect all required documents
• Submit application and documents at the local Transport Registration Department
• Receive your new Turkish license (typically same day or shortly after)

How to Get a New Turkish Driving License: Application Guide for Foreigners

To apply for a new Turkish driver's license as a foreigner, follow the simple steps below:

1. Collect the necessary documents.
2. Sign up for a driving course at a driving school. They will guide you through the entire process and help you prepare for both the theory and practical exams.
3. Take the theory exam at a driving center approved by the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The exam can be taken in Turkish or in your native language.
4. After passing the theory exam, take the practical driving test at an approved driving center. You can either bring your own car or rent one from the driving school.
5. Once you pass both the theory and practical exams, go to the local traffic registration office (trafiktescil bürosu) in your city to start your application
6. Get your driver’s license, which is valid for 10 years.

The entire process typically takes about 2–3 months, depending on how quickly you complete the required driving course, medical exams, and tests.

Turkish Driving License Exams

To get a Turkish driving license, you'll need to pass both theoretical and practical exams. Here’s a straightforward rundown of the process:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Residency: A valid Turkish residency permit or citizenship is required.
• Driving lessons: Complete at least 16 hours of lessons from an accredited driving school before the practical test.
• Health certificate: Obtain a health certificate from a government hospital or clinic.
• Vision test: Pass a vision test.

Theoretical Exam Structure:

• Format: 50 multiple-choice questions.
• Duration: 45 minutes.
• Languages: Available in Turkish, English, and German.
• Passing score: You need to answer at least 45 questions correctly (90% passing rate).
• Content: Covers traffic rules, road signs, vehicle maintenance, and safe driving practices. Questions are randomly selected from a pool of around 1,000.

If you don't pass the theoretical exam, you’ll need to wait three days before retaking it, and you can attempt the exam up to four times. After passing the theoretical exam, you'll take the

practical driving test.

Practical Exam Structure:

• Duration: About 30 minutes.
• Maneuvers tested: Includes tasks like parallel parking, lane changes, U-turns, and emergency stops.

Documents Required for Turkish Driving License Application

To apply for a Turkish driving license, you'll need to gather the following documents:

• A notarized translation of your valid driving license in Turkish
• Your residence permit (Ikamet) or education permit
• A copy and the original of your Turkish ID
• Two passport-sized photographs
• A criminal report from your local courthouse (valid for 12 months)
• A health report and blood group certificate, which you can get from either a state or private clinic
• Receipt showing you've paid the license fee

Turkish Driving License Photo Requirements

When applying for a Turkish driving license, your photos must meet specific criteria. Here’s what you need to know:

• The photo size should be 5 × 6 cm (50 × 60 mm).
• Photos must be high resolution and printed at 300 dpi.
• The height of your head in the photo (from chin to the top of the hair) should be around 34 mm.
• The background must be plain and light-colored.
• Keep a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed.
• Make sure the photos were taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance.

Here is an example:

Get Your Turkish Driving License Photo Online!

The simplest way to get a high-quality Turkish driver's license photo is by using online professional tools like Visafoto.com. Since 2013, Visafoto has been helping people with various document photos, including driving licenses, passports, and visas worldwide.

All you need is a photo taken against a plain white background. Upload it to Visafoto.com, and the tool will handle the rest. It will adjust image size, format, background color, and face positioning to meet the specific requirements. Not happy with the result? Visafoto offers a full refund.

You’ll receive both a digital copy for online applications and a print-ready version.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

Visafoto can help you whether you’re applying online or in person, as you will get a digital file of your photo and a template of your image that’s ready to print.

Driving License & ID Photo App

For an even more seamless experience, try the 7ID app from Visafoto.com. This app uses advanced algorithms to enhance your photo and is compatible with both iPhone and Android devices.

Simply upload your photo and select the document type and country. The app will automatically adjust your photo to meet official specifications, ensuring size, format, background color, and face alignment are perfect. You'll get a digital file and a print template.

If you have any questions, our technical support team is available 24/7.

Driving License Cost in Turkey

Turkey driving license fees vary based on the vehicle class:

• Type A — TL 2528 (approx. USD 75)
• Type B — TL 5165 (approx. USD 154)
• Type D and C — TL 7805 (approx. USD 233)

Avoid the hassle by getting a professional Turkish Driving License photo with 7ID app and Visafoto.com!

Safe driving!