Full UK/EU licence plus 1968 IDP
RequiredTurkey recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP; UK photocard drivers should carry a 1968 IDP alongside the licence, especially for stays over 6 months or when renting.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Turkey
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Turkey: 10 legal requirements + 6 other things worth knowing.
10
Required
2
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Turkey
10 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Full UK/EU licence plus 1968 IDP
Turkey recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP; UK photocard drivers should carry a 1968 IDP alongside the licence, especially for stays over 6 months or when renting.
Passport with 150 days validity
Passport must be valid for at least 150 days from entry and have a full blank page; UK visitors get 90 days visa-free in any 180-day period.
Green Card insurance extension
Standard EU/UK motor insurance does NOT cover Turkey; buy a Green Card extension from your insurer or purchase Turkish third-party insurance (around 50 EUR/month) at the border.
V5C and vehicle declared at border
Bring the V5C logbook; your own car is recorded against your passport on entry and must leave Turkey with you, or you face heavy fines and an exit ban.
Two warning triangles and first aid kit
Turkish law requires TWO warning triangles, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher to be carried in the vehicle at all times.
HGS electronic toll tag (no vignette)
Turkey uses the HGS sticker/transponder for all motorways and Bosphorus bridges. There is no time-based vignette. Buy at PTT post offices, Shell stations, or border crossings from around 50 TRY (1.50 EUR) plus prepaid credit.
Free-flow HGS tolls, pay within 15 days
Cameras read your HGS tag at gantries; rental cars include HGS. Approx cost 60–120 TRY (2–4 EUR) per 100 km. Unpaid tolls must be settled within 15 days at a PTT or fines apply.
Drive on the right, 0.5 g/L BAC (0.0 if towing)
Drive on the right; alcohol limit is 0.50 g/L for normal drivers but ZERO if you are towing a caravan or trailer.
Speed limits 120/90/50 km/h
Motorway 120 km/h, dual carriageway 110 km/h, rural single 90 km/h, urban 50 km/h. Cars towing trailers are limited to 80 km/h on motorways.
Cash declaration over 10,000 USD equivalent
Amounts above 10,000 USD (or equivalent) in cash must be declared at the border; Turkish lira export is capped at 5,000 USD equivalent.
Documents
Passport with 150 days validity
RequiredPassport must be valid for at least 150 days from entry and have a full blank page; UK visitors get 90 days visa-free in any 180-day period.
Green Card insurance extension
RequiredStandard EU/UK motor insurance does NOT cover Turkey; buy a Green Card extension from your insurer or purchase Turkish third-party insurance (around 50 EUR/month) at the border.
V5C and vehicle declared at border
RequiredBring the V5C logbook; your own car is recorded against your passport on entry and must leave Turkey with you, or you face heavy fines and an exit ban.
Emergency number 112
Good to knowSingle emergency number 112 covers police, ambulance, and fire across Turkey since 2022.
Required equipment
Two warning triangles and first aid kit
RequiredTurkish law requires TWO warning triangles, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher to be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Hi-vis vest and spare bulbs
RecommendedA hi-vis vest is strongly recommended (and required if you exit the vehicle on a motorway); spare bulb kit and headlamp beam deflectors for RHD cars are also advised.
Vignette
HGS electronic toll tag (no vignette)
RequiredTurkey uses the HGS sticker/transponder for all motorways and Bosphorus bridges. There is no time-based vignette. Buy at PTT post offices, Shell stations, or border crossings from around 50 TRY (1.50 EUR) plus prepaid credit.
Tolls
Free-flow HGS tolls, pay within 15 days
RequiredCameras read your HGS tag at gantries; rental cars include HGS. Approx cost 60–120 TRY (2–4 EUR) per 100 km. Unpaid tolls must be settled within 15 days at a PTT or fines apply.
Driving rules
Drive on the right, 0.5 g/L BAC (0.0 if towing)
RequiredDrive on the right; alcohol limit is 0.50 g/L for normal drivers but ZERO if you are towing a caravan or trailer.
Speed limits 120/90/50 km/h
RequiredMotorway 120 km/h, dual carriageway 110 km/h, rural single 90 km/h, urban 50 km/h. Cars towing trailers are limited to 80 km/h on motorways.
Aggressive driving and undertaking common
Good to knowLane discipline is poor, undertaking is normal, and use of horn/headlight flashing is constant: drive defensively, especially in Istanbul and Ankara.
Environment
Winter tyres Dec 1 – Apr 1 in mountain regions
RecommendedWinter tyres are mandatory for commercial vehicles 1 Dec – 1 Apr and strongly recommended for cars in eastern/central Anatolia; many mountain passes (e.g. Bolu, Tahir, Sarıkamış) need chains in winter.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowTurkey does not operate LEZ stickers or congestion charges in any city, so no environmental sticker is required.
Money
Turkish lira, fuel ~1.30 EUR/L
Good to knowCurrency is Turkish lira (TRY); petrol/diesel typically 42–48 TRY per litre (~1.25–1.40 EUR). Cards accepted at virtually all fuel stations; small tip (round-up) appreciated for forecourt attendants.
Cash declaration over 10,000 USD equivalent
RequiredAmounts above 10,000 USD (or equivalent) in cash must be declared at the border; Turkish lira export is capped at 5,000 USD equivalent.
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Drive on the right, 0.5 g/L BAC (0.0 if towing)
RequiredDrive on the right; alcohol limit is 0.50 g/L for normal drivers but ZERO if you are towing a caravan or trailer.
Speed limits 120/90/50 km/h
RequiredMotorway 120 km/h, dual carriageway 110 km/h, rural single 90 km/h, urban 50 km/h. Cars towing trailers are limited to 80 km/h on motorways.