It is a magnificent country . On the flip side, driving in Turkey is not for the faint of heart, even in smaller cities and towns. You must be 18 years old to drive a car in Turkey, and 16 to ride a motorbike or scooter. This a quick overview of driving in Turkey so other travelers can get a feel. We recommend True Traveller for their 5 star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, great prices and excellent service. Most of the year the weather is so ideal that one can live outside. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); The first thing to note is that in Turkey you drive on the right-hand side of the road. Taking in the glorious Scottish Highlands, breathtaking coastlines, lochs and historic towns along the route, this really is one of the worlds epic road trips. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("JLCountry", "Turkey"); googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Turks tend to drive very quickly, usually weaving through traffic and often whilst speaking on their mobile phone. Speed limits range from 120kmh on motorways to 90kmh on other roads and 50kmh in urban areas. It is legal to use a hands free unit. The Turkish people are kind, generous and patient, but not on the roads! By joining our mailing list we can update you about the countries and subjects of interest to you. Motorways otoyol and national roads are generally of a high standard, offering a smooth driving experience. You must stop if you see a pedestrian on the crossing or about to step on the crossing. The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system. Driving is on the right with overtaking on the left. However, a cheap price here does not automatically equal sketchy. In the last few years, thousands of large new fuel stations have opened. The minimum age to drive a car is 18 years old and 16 years old for mopeds and light-motorcycles. Take a few moments to get into gear and let off the handbarke, and the honking will become a cacophony as every car in the line joins in! Telephone: Compulsory You must wear a seatbelt at all times, regardless of whether you are in a front or back seat (fine - 55 (16.16)). It is, rather, evidence that you possess such a licence in your own country. People drive on the right side of the road. Turkey is a rapidly developing country with beautiful roads built lately so I have made a list of the most beautiful routes that will be the most memorable for tourists driving and exploring on their own. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Ribbon_990x45_NoAdsense', [990, 45], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-2').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); It's also possible to wreck dive in Side at 25 meters. WHAT SIDE OF THE ROAD DO YOU DRIVE ON IN TURKEY? Take a journey from Side and learn about traditional Turkish culture. If you do not present your license, you could face a fine of 238 (69.92), or of 115 (33.88) for each of the other missing documents. A Google search will reveal where you need to apply in your country. In rural areas, your tank will be filled for you and payment is usually in cash, unless youre happy to pay a 2-3% surcharge to use a card. There are lots of police checkpoints, looking for drunk drivers, drivers with no licence or insurance and vehicles that are dangerous. Managing Partner (Legal Department) It's 30 meters long and at this location you can see a part of the Side Underwater Museum 'War of Independence' and 'the Temple of Poseidon' which is a 6 meters large statue. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Lots of readers tell us they are nervous about driving in a foreign country and ask whether its safe to drive in Turkey. var width = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; On a second offence, the penalty is TRY1,098 (241/277/US$310) and the licence will be taken for two years. Hit the highlights as you go, making sure to visit all the iconic sights on these top Norway road trips, worthy of any bucket list. Dangerous driving is very broadly defined and very subjective. Electric vehicles are becoming more common in Turkey and subsequently there are more EV chargers being installed around the country, mainly along the major highways. Suffolk In rural places, Turkish cars and scooters may not always put on their headlights, and the road may also not be lit. You can also provide your Avis Worldwide Discount number (AWD). The PTT will register your vehicle and provide you with an HGS sticker for your windscreen, which costs 90TRY. The Cappadocia area is renowned for its hot-air ballooning, and on a good day as many as 100 balloons may be in the air at sunrise. All passengers are obligated to wear seatbelts while in the vehicle. Getting Around in Turkey Turkey is an extremely easy country to get around in. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("App", "www"); Third: Mastering the row of the car between two cars in a horizontal manner. We got stuck on the old part of Trabzon, with our sat nav taking us ever deeper into the winding maze, until we had to find a polis to help us escape! Much of the above is worst case scenario stuff and chances are you wont encounter a landslide, kamikaze drivers or unpassable roads. The advice and opinions contained in the guides are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Guides Global. Turkish drivers are not rude, theyre just not very accommodating. There is a heavy police presence on the roads in Turkey and they routinely stop drivers to check on their insurance and other driving documents. There is limited public transport to Kapkr but fortunately, driving in Turkey is very easy. Find out about life on the road, destinations, routes and practical motorhome advice on our blog. You will need an 'A' category standard motorcycle licence to hire a motorcycle over 50cc in Turkey. On a first offence the penalty is TRY876 (193/221/US$247). Last May/June, I (solo female) traveled extensively by car in western Turkey and I . . In cities and built up areas, you will need to take the initiative when coming out of junctions and navigating roundabouts. It can take a long time to get to places that look close together on the map, but in reality are hours of driving apart. Large and slow vehicles tend to drive half on the road and half on the shoulder to allow faster cars to overtake. Drive around some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Southern Mediterranean area of Turkey. The fee for releasing your vehicle varies from place to place. Of equal importance, there are various laws making certain things compulsory or forbidden. Useful Driving Words. The first thing to note is that in Turkey you drive on the right-hand side of the road. This provides a picture of the situation in May 2014 from a 2-week driving trip, hiring a car in Urgup (Cappadocia) and driving - via the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts - to Izmir. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to sit in the front passenger seat. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5%. Wear seatbelts and children must be in the back with belts or safety chairs. A road trip in the stunning country of Morocco will take you from the sparking turquoise waters of the coast, through the dramatic snow-capped Atlas mountains. It covers most countries from which visitors are likely to come to Turkey. 2. Bury St Edmunds Drivers always must wear seat belts. It is available only in Turkish, but translates quite well using Google Translate. 3. Whenever we travel to a country without our own transport that is covered by Localrent.com we book with them because they are always best on price and offer a solid and reliable service. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Mobile_Leaderboard', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-6').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); All towns and cities have these areas, full of workshops, tire places and motor factors. In cities and on some rural roads, the speed limit is usually 50km/h and on motorways it is 120km/h. Meals can be taken on the terrace and walks can be enjoyed in the spring, autumn and even winter - even on cooler days people switch on a terrace heater and shelter from the wind and enjoy the winter sun. Tweet. Non-commercial drivers like tourists and regular citizens have a limit of 0.05% BAC. The speeding fines incurred while driving in Turkey depend on the speed you are exceeding the limit by. Driving to Turkey from the UK or Europe is pretty straightforward, and it means you can easily explore the amazing countries of the Balkans or Greece on the way. You cant pay by cash or credit card, The speed limit is between 30kph to 70kph in built-up areas, 110kph on open roads and 120kph on motorways, If you're caught committing a driving offence, you'll be given a fine. 7. Traffic flaws on the right side of the road. It is also advisable to have your passport with you. if (typeof(child) != 'undefined' && child != null) parent.removeChild(child); It can cover driving too quickly, driving too close to another vehicle, overtaking on bends, passing when not permitted, using your mobile phone whilst driving and all sorts of things pretty much at the discretion of the police officer who stops you. You can still use toll roads in the meantime where there is no payment option, your journey will be logged against your registration number and it will all be tallied up when you register at the PTT. Turkey has agreements with 50 countries (see www.trafik.gov.tr) permitting visitors to use their home licence providing it includes a photograph during visits of up to six months. Pulling over to the right and letting vehicles pass before turning left. If youre found using it illegally, you will be subject to a large fine and your vehicle will be seized and not returned to you. You can find decent accommodation without breaking the bank. The Turkish traffic rules have no significant differences from other Western countries. In the USA the alcohol limit is 0.08 (blood alcohol content). If you fancy a self-drive campervan trip, Campervan Turkey offer fully equipped camper vans and motorhomes from their depots in Marmaris and Antalya. Turkey is a wonderful destination if you are dreaming of going to Europe. Turkey does not require a "carnet de passage en douane": an international customs guarantee. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); Driving in Turkey is pretty simple - especially if you come from a country where they drive on the right-hand side of the road. This offer is not valid for rentals in other countries. As a solo female, you might want additional security and assurance that hotels and accommodations are safe. People get on an Interstate, get in the passing lane and stay there the entire drive until they need to exit. Tips to follow on the day of the theory test. Most now require to you pay in advance with a card. We were able to stop where and when we wanted to explore, change our plans at the last minute and revel in the freedom of travelling at our own pace. Fuel marked as full on paperwork but gauge showing empty. Generally, the speed limit in towns is 50kph. Tips for driving in Turkey Driving licence. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Driving in Turkey at night is particularly hazardous. I have a valid Michigan driver's license and an international permit. There are fairly regular police and army checkpoints along roads into and out of towns and cities, especially close to the borders with Armenia, Iran and Syria. Why isnt there astandard voltage around the world? However, be careful of highway junctions which have the appearance of roundabouts. new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], Konack Mahallesi Gazi Mustafa Aka Sokak Weve needed several repairs in Turkey and work that we would have paid hundreds for in Europe has cost 20% of what we would have typically paid. Leave enough time to get to your destination in daylight it will always take longer than you think. Speeding Fines. Turkey: drives on the: right: Turkmenistan: drives on the: right: Turks and Caicos Islands: drive on the: left: Tuvalu: drives on the: left: Uganda: drives on the: left: Ukraine: drives on the: right: United Arab Emirates (UAE) drives on the: right: United Kingdom (UK) drives on the: left: United States of America (USA) drives on the: right: United States Virgin Islands: drive on the: left: Uruguay Anything above that and the fine is 238 (69.92). On The Road. Norway is a wonderful country for a road trip. Unique Country Driving Laws Do not use a cell phone while driving. If you do you will be taken to a hospital for a blood test. Car rental providers typically require an age limit of 21 years old for them to allow you to lease a car. A Shortage of Free Car Parking document.getElementById('thankyou').className='msg hidden'; 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 people who issue the permit will know this, but its worth reminding them. The average speed limit for cars and other private vehicles is 74mph or 120 km/h on a motorway, 31 mph or 50 km/h in busy areas and 55 mph or 90 km/h in rural and less busier areas. Our road trip checklists can help you get organised with packing and pre-trip planning. It is possible to buy third party car insurance at the border as you enter Turkey, if your usual insurance company will not insure you. If you do, they will collect the fee plus a hefty fine for not paying it in the first place. Between 10pm and sunrise you may not use the car horn. Proof of payment is almost always by displaying a voucher in your car. 1. But, if you do breakdown, then Turkey is the place to do it! Resourceful, helpful and knowledgeable, the highly skilled mechanics of Turkey have a fix for everything and dont require you to make an appointment and return in six weeks! Alongside your documents, at the top of your car packing list should be loo paper (most restaurant and public loos dont provide this), lots of water and huge amounts of snacks. The Gap Decaders are participants in a number of affiliate programmes. Georgia is undoubtedly one of the best road trip countries in Europe, with all four corners of this tiny nation offering diverse experiences, surrounded by the glorious backdrop of dramatic mountains, beautiful coasts and rolling steppe. You need your original motor vehicle registration document, and the vehicle must be registered in the name on your passport, which should match your driving licence. If the vehicle belongs to someone else, a Power of Attorney will be required, under which they authorise you to drive the car. We spent three months road-tripping in Turkey in 2022 and learned the hard way, so you dont have to! The signage was especially good, and unlike France, indicated the next major town, not the next tiny village. Do not move your vehicle. The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Turkey. Like many countries around the world, you always have to drive on the right side of the road when in Turkey. We love eating so much, we even wrote about the best road trip snacks! Its common for pedestrians and street dogs to wander into the road, often without looking, especially in rural areas. The two things that make driving in Turkey a little more complicated and off-putting to some people are the poor secondary and local roads found in most of the country and the foolhardy courage of some Turkish drivers: no gap is too small, no straight too short to overtake and no speed quite high enough! Keep to the right If you're driving, remember to stay on the right side of the road. Is Driving in Turkey Safe? googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Language", "en"); With such a diverse landscape and wonderfully welcoming people, whats stopping you from hitting the tarmac and taking a Moroccan road trip? Parking. Trying not to drive in that frame of mind, with a rental vehicle, is one of the fundamental driving in Turkey tips we can give you. This world map shows which side of the road traffic drives on. Of equal importance, there are various laws making certain things compulsory or forbidden. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This is often by the presence of a parking warden, who will charge you the appropriate parking fee. In general 50cl beer or 1 glass of wine is within the limits (It depends on the medical condition of the person). But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Using the cellphone while driving is forbidden in any way. According to the World Health Organisation Turkey has 12.3 fatal accidents per 100,000 inhabitants per year, which is slightly less than North Americas 12.4, but more than Europes 9.3. No flying required! Traffic on roundabouts have right of way, the same as Europe. Driving in Turkey can be complicated not only because of the roads and the traffic but also because of the complexities surrounding driving licences. at Orkun & Orkun, Address: })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MQS989'); What you can and cant do on the road varies country by country, and its important to know what is is allowed and whats not before getting behind the wheel. Overladen vehicles, expecially when harvest takes place, are common. If you have brought your foreign-registered car or vehicle to Turkey on a temporary basis, you are allowed to drive it in Turkey on the basis set out above. It is therefore expected that their vehicles have their steering wheels positioned on the car's left side. These companies seek a higher age requirement when you are looking for a luxury vehicle to drive. Our guides tell you how thingsreallywork: the legal system, the taxes, the administration, business and the culture. Ballooning takes place only at dawn, before the wind currents become too strong. Sometimes traffic is diverted onto a gravel track for several kilometres, where the new road can be seen but is not yet opened. It is valid for 12 months. Do you live, work or do business in a foreign country? Their mouths fall open and they seem to think their eyes . good luck, enigma. Some rental agencies charge a fee for use of the HGS toll sticker and some will deduct it from the credit card you used to pay for the hire car, letting you know the cost when you return the vehicle. Find out all you need to know about SIM cards in Turkey so you can research, navigate and book hotels on the go. The law on drink driving is tough in Turkey, with 0.05% being the legal alcohol limit. Despite the challenges of driving in Turkey, we loved the country for its dramatic landscapes and vibrant cities, incredibly friendly and kind people, amazing food and yes, even the roads! Typical penalties are a fine of TRY100-200. Locals drive on the right hand side, and Turkey's roads are generally in good condition, although they can become choked with traffic around the densely populated cities - our tips on driving in central Istanbul are: don't. Second: Mastering the car row in the form of the English letter (L). Although the IDP document is valid for a period of 12 months, it can only be used in Turkey at any one time for a period of six months. You can get a quick overview of driving in Turkey by watching this video interview (below) with Turkish lawyer Baak Yldz Orkun. If you are going to use any toll highways, make sure you get a KGS card from the rental agency. You may also like to view information about destinations in Turkey. Fuel stations in busy areas feel similar to those in Europe and are self-service, although there are always forecourt staff on hand to assist. Highways are frequently mixed with town thoroughfares, thus vehicles may be travelling in a variety of directions, including in the incorrect direction. The car is not what you ordered; manual not automatic, no air conditioning, not 44, a smaller model, or some other discrepancy. Tell us your pick-up location using the vehicle rental search form below. Also, if the vehicle to be overtaken is currently overtaking another vehicle. Jan 17th, 2013, 03:36 PM. function hide_thankyou () { Our guides are prepared by professionals from many countries. We have seen every single one of these traffic rules flouted when driving in Turkey, but that doesnt mean as a foreigner you should not follow them. Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. You will undoubtedly come across road hazards when driving in Turkey and awareness cannot compensate for the unexpected, so drive cautiously in unfamiliar surroundings. Turkey is a huge country, with a well-developed public transport system which includes dolmus (shared) minibuses, shared taxis and trains, as well as domestic air services for longer hops. Guyana and Suriname are the only countries . Children under twelve aren't allowed to travel in the . 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