Foreigners can drive with their home country’s driver’s license for 6 months in Türkiye. After that, they need to either obtain a Turkish driver’s license or leave and re-enter the country.
A foreigner can exchange their driver's license for a Turkish one only if they have Turkish citizenship or a residence permit (ikamet). This must be done through the Nüfus Müdürlüğü (Population Directorate). The procedure is carried out in two stages.
If you have a Turkish passport, there is no need to send your old license back to your home country, and you will be issued a second Turkish license. However, if you only have a residence permit (ikamet), your foreign license will be taken and sent back to the issuing authority in your home country. You can later collect it there.
Stage 1
Required documents:
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Notarized translation (by a Turkish notary) of the foreign driver's license
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Color copy of the driver's license
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Color copy of the passport
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Color copy of kimlik (Turkish ID) or residence permit (ikamet)
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Biometric photo
You must schedule an appointment on the website randevu.nvi.gov.tr, selecting the “Sürücü Belgesi” (Driver’s License) section and filling in your details. Choose the nearest Nüfus Müdürlüğü office based on your registered address, as well as the date and time for your appointment. Arrive on time with the required documents. You will need to complete a form, providing your name, surname, nationality, address for license delivery, phone number, and residence permit number. The verification process by Turkish authorities may take over a month.
You can track the progress of your application using a special number. Once approval is received from your home country, you can schedule a follow-up appointment at Nüfus. Bring the required documents listed below.
Stage 2
Required documents:
After submitting the documents, temporary driving licenses will be issued, which will appear in e-Devlet immediately. Temporary licenses are valid for 1 month, during which time your permanent license should be delivered to your registered address.
*Before visiting a medical center to get the SÜRÜCÜ ADAYLARI VE SÜRÜCÜLER İÇİN SAĞLIK RAPORU health certificate for driving in Türkiye, you must complete a personal health information form on e-Devlet. Vision tests and blood type checks (if your blood type is not recorded) are required before seeing an ophthalmologist. You can complete these checks at any clinic.
The entire license exchange process at Nüfus Müdürlüğü takes from 1.5 to 4.5 months, depending on the response time from the issuing country of your driver's license.
How to Obtain a Driver’s License in Türkiye for the First Time
If you do not have a driver’s license yet, you will need either a Turkish passport or a residence permit. You must attend a driving school and pass the exams. The training includes the following stages:
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Theoretical course – traffic rules, first aid, and driving basics
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Practical driving lessons
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Theoretical and practical exams conducted in Turkish at local traffic police departments
Before taking the exams, you must undergo a medical examination to get a fitness certificate for driving.
Once you pass all the exams and submit the required documents, you can obtain either a driver’s license valid in Türkiye or an international driver’s license.
Driver’s License Costs Will Increase in 2025!
If you don’t yet have a driver’s license, act fast. In 2025, the cost of obtaining a Turkish driver’s license will increase in line with the revaluation rate (YDO), expected to be about 45%.
Driver’s License Fees in Türkiye for 2024 and Expected 2025 Costs:
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Class B:
2024: 3,945.40 TL
2025: 5,720.80 TL
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Classes A, A1, A2 (including certificates for the disabled):
2024: 1,308.40 TL
2025: 1,896 TL
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Classes B1, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, G, M:
2024: 6,583.50 TL
2025: 9,545 TL
Fines for traffic violations, taxes, and fees will also increase.
New Driving Test Rules in Türkiye
New rules for driving tests in Türkiye were published in the Official Resmi Gazete and will take effect 6 months after publication.
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Driving tests will be conducted on two approved routes set by provincial or district education authorities.
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Tests can now be taken using electric vehicles, reducing the number of questions about the car engine.
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Disabled drivers can use their own vehicles or specially equipped ones for the exam.
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More time will be given to gather required documents and fix issues.
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New ID cards and photos are required for driving courses.
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If a candidate fails four times, they can switch courses and take additional attempts.
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Students who interrupt their studies can be exempted from theoretical lessons and exams if they re-register within three years.
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Driver's licenses can be frozen during military service, pregnancy, or long-term illness.
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A 5-year ban applies to those caught cheating on driving tests.
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Test duration has been extended to 40 minutes, and exams will be conducted from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
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Candidates can retake the parking section if they fail it.
How to Replace Old Turkish Driver's Licenses with New Ones
Driver's licenses issued before January 1, 2016, must be replaced according to Article 10 of the Traffic Law. The replacement process, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended by the Ministry of Internal Affairs until December 31, 2024.
Old licenses can be replaced with new ones until December 31, 2024. After January 1, 2025, you will have to pay the full cost of the license, document fees, and fund contributions. For example, the 2024 fee for a Class B license is 5,165 TL, with 2025 fees to be adjusted by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
Cost of Replacing Licenses:
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Old type – 15 TL
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New type – 769 TL
Expired licenses will become invalid, and driving with them will result in a fine of 12,978 TL.
To renew a license, schedule an appointment with the “General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs” via their website or by calling ALO 199.
For replacing licenses issued before January 1, 2016, Turkish citizens and foreigners who have obtained citizenship and Turkish licenses need to gather the following documents:
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Translated and notarized driver’s license
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Translated and notarized diploma
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Color copy of kimlik (Turkish ID) or residence permit (ikamet)
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Color copy of the driver’s license (1 copy)
This information is for guidance only and is not a public offer. Data may change, so please confirm with official government bodies as necessary.