Guide to Driving In Turkey - Drive Safe in Turkey

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Turkey and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

90 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 0mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Turkey on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Turkey is TRY
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Turkey 1.20 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Turkey

Driving in Turkey
Pocket guide to driving in Turkey
Profile:
Turkey
Ankara
TRY
Driving in Turkey
SPEED: (kph)
50
90
120
Speed limit in Turkey
Holiday:
Rush hour in Turkey
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Turkey
FUEL:
1.20
1.27
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Turkey
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Turkey
DRINK:
0mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Turkey
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Turkey
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Turkey
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Turkey
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Turkey
See here for current child seats law in Turkey

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Turkey?

Driving the highways in Turkey is a pleasant experience but if you get stuck in city traffic or have to slow down on rural roads which are full of potholes it is not so great. Turkey's motorways are more like our dual carriageways and are often full of trucks and lorries which you are less likely to see on the rural roads.

Drivers in Turkey can be a bit unpredictable so you would do well to try to second guess them and proceed with caution. Driving is on the right with overtaking on the left. Care should be taken when turning as following vehicles may try to overtake you at the same time. Avoid driving at night as many roads are unlit and can have hidden dangers. Mountain roads often do not have guard rails and can be dangerous at night.

Horns are used deliberately by drivers. If you are not sure whether to go or not at a traffic light then the sound of horns will let you know. For all the inconveniences, the experience of exploring Turkey by car will be well worth any hassles you encounter while driving.

Turkey Driving

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.16

€ 1.16

Feb , 2024

€ 1.27

€ 1.20

Jan , 2024

€ 1.19

€ 1.13

Dec , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.05

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
In many parts of Turkey, parking is available just about everywhere, all you'll need to do is to make sure you aren't causing an obstruction. In the cities you'll find parking lots and garages with machines or more likely parking attendants. In the commercial parts of the main cities you'll find parking meters and ticket machines. Areas where parking isn't allowed are clearly marked with signs and yellow or red lines on the road or kerb.
 
Paid parking
 
Paid parking can be in dusty lots, garages or by meter or ticket machine in parking bays. There are usually plenty of signs to indicate parking restrictions.
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is done by the police and you'll get a ticket to be paid at the local police station or bank. If you're causing an obstruction, your car is likely to be towed.
 
Disabled parking
 
In Turkey, the disabled blue badge scheme is rarely recognised although it's becoming more common. Check locally what the benefits are but we would recommend you simply ask for assistance when you park your car, choosing a parking area where there is an attendant. They will usually be very helpful, especially if a small tip is forthcoming!

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The traffic police are on 154. If you need driving advice visit the website of The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club  - www.turing.org.tr or call them on (212) 282 8140.

The standard European emergency number of 112 also applies in Turkey

The United States Embassy in Turkey for Ankara is located at 110 Atatürk Blvd, Kavaklıdere, 06100, and you can call (90-312) 455-5555.
Their website is https://tr.usembassy.gov/

The British High Commission in Turkey is located at Meşrutiyet Caddesi No 34, Tepebaşı Beyoglu, 34435 Istanbul, Turkey and you can call +90 212 334 64 00
Their website is http://ukinturkey.fco.gov.uk/en/

What to do in an emergency

If you have a problem with your car you should phone the number given to on the rental documents or attached to the windscreen of your car. If you are driving your own vehicle, use your emergency assistance company's partner in Turkey.
 
In the event of an accident you should call the police on 112 if it is serious or the traffic police on 154 if it is a minor accident. You will need a report from them for your insurance company. Whilst awaiting their arrival, take photographs of the scene and take the names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses. If it is safe to do so, don't move the vehicles.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

Bozuk satih - Rough surface
Dikkat - Attention
Dur - Stop
Park yapilmaz - No parking
Tamirat - Roadworks
Giremez - No entry
Tek yon - One way
Yavas - Slow
Yaya gecidi - Pedestrian crossing
Yol kapali - Road closed
I have broken down -  Ben bozuldu
Where is the police station? - Nerede polis karakolu?
I have a flat tyre - Ben düz bir lastik var
I have been in an accident - Ben bir kaza olmuştur
Where is? -  Nerede?
Where can I buy petrol? - Ben benzin nereden satın alabilirim?

Turkey Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.16

€ 1.16

Feb , 2024

€ 1.27

€ 1.20

Jan , 2024

€ 1.19

€ 1.13

Dec , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.05

Nov , 2023

€ 1.18

€ 1.09

Oct , 2023

€ 1.39

€ 1.27

Sep , 2023

€ 1.39

€ 1.34

Aug , 2023

€ 1.23

€ 1.22

Jul , 2023

€ 0.92

€ 0.93

Jun , 2023

€ 0.85

€ 0.93

May , 2023

€ 0.87

€ 0.93

Apr , 2023

€ 0.97

€ 1.01

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Mar , 2024 1.16 1.16
Feb , 2024 1.27 1.20
Jan , 2024 1.19 1.13
Dec , 2023 1.13 1.05
Nov , 2023 1.18 1.09
Oct , 2023 1.39 1.27
Sep , 2023 1.39 1.34
Aug , 2023 1.23 1.22
Jul , 2023 0.92 0.93
Jun , 2023 0.85 0.93
May , 2023 0.87 0.93
Apr , 2023 0.97 1.01

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Turkey and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Phil Partridge
Posted by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

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