The question of “how to obtain a driving license in Turkey?” arises alongside many
other questions, given the increasing numbers of foreign investors obtaining
real estate residency in Turkey. They seek profitable properties for sale in
Istanbul, especially those close to the new canal, which is considered a golden
opportunity in the real estate investment wave in Turkey.
What distinguishes a driving license in Turkey?
There are about 84 countries around the world that recognize a driving license in Turkey, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, and the UAE.
Transportation networks in Turkey are characterized by a strong network, where streets and areas in Istanbul are perfectly linked. Obtaining a Turkish driver’s license allows you to reach many tourist destinations in Istanbul and Turkey that you must visit, as well as not miss the opportunity to see natural landscapes throughout the country, in addition to places with sea views.
Transportation between Turkish regions is one of the most basic daily needs that cannot be neglected. Instead of renting a taxi, bus, or metro – despite their development and speed – having a personal space while traveling with complete comfort remains the best option, especially as a large number of people find great pleasure by just sitting behind the wheel!
What are the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in Turkey?
The requirements for obtaining a Turkish driver’s license can be summarized in five points:
- The age must be over 17 years old.
- There should be no criminal impediment.
- The applicant must be literate and have at least an elementary school diploma.
- The applicant must have good health and vision.
- The applicant must have passed the theoretical exam for obtaining a driver’s
license with a minimum score of 70%.
Who can obtain a Turkish driver’s license?
- Turkish citizens.
- Refugees with a temporary protection card (kimlik).
- Residents with a valid residence permit, whether it is a real estate or tourist
residence permit, or any other type of permit.
What are the procedures and documents required to obtain a driving license in Turkey?
Firstly, you need to prepare the required documents to obtain a Turkish driver’s license, which are:
_A copy of your passport, which must be valid.
_A copy of your residence permit or, if you are a refugee, a copy of your temporary protection card.
_Two personal photos.
_ translated copy in Turkish of your educational qualification, certified by a notary.
_ certificate of no criminal record, which can be obtained from the judiciary or online.
_ health report from any government hospital or clinic.
Make sure that all the documents are valid and then submit them to one of the driving schools. The training period takes two weeks, after which a date is set for the theoretical test, which covers what you have learned. You must score no less than 70% to pass the test, which is available in several languages, including Arabic.
By the way, you should know that you are allowed to retake the test up to four times. If you cannot pass the test after four attempts, you will have to re-register and pay all fees again from the beginning.
After passing the theoretical exam, the practical exam is scheduled, and if you fail, you can retake it without having to redo the theoretical test.
Then, the driving school sends you to the bank to deposit the license fee and attach the payment receipt with the documents. After that, a date is set by the security center in your area to send them the documents along with the certificate of passing the driving course to obtain a temporary license for one month before finally obtaining the driving license in Turkey.
Important questions for those who want to obtain a driving license in Turkey:
How long does it take to obtain a driving license in Turkey and convert it from a foreign license to a Turkish one?
This depends mainly on the speed of procedures at the embassy of the original country. For example, the UAE driving license only takes a week! Generally, the duration can range from one week to six months.
What is the validity period of a driving license in Turkey?
The Turkish driving certificate is valid for 10 years, and if it is issued outside of Turkey, it can be used for two years. The Syrian driving certificate can only be used for six months from the date of legal entry into Turkish territory after being translated into Turkish and authenticated by the notary.
As for the international driving license, you can use it normally as long as it is valid, but you should know that it cannot be converted to a Turkish license.
What are the types of driver’s licenses in Turkey?
There are several categories for the Turkish driver’s license, including:
_Category A1 for motorcycle driving
_B, the most well-known and commonly used category that allows drivers to operate cars and small buses
_Category E, which permits drivers to operate buses, as well as other categories.
How much does a driver’s license cost in Turkey?
The fees for obtaining a driver’s license in Turkey are approximately 4,400 T.L, which includes all fees except for the certificate collection fee of 1,400 Turkish Lira. If you fail the theoretical exam, you will need to pay an additional fee of around 220 Turkish Lira. The fees for obtaining a license vary from category to category. For a Category B license, the fees are around 2,500 Turkish Lira, while Category A fees are 825 Turkish Lira.
We hope that we have answered your various questions. If you have more inquiries regarding real estate investment in Istanbul, how to obtain Turkish citizenship or a Turkish passport, or if you are looking for properties for sale in Istanbul, please do not hesitate to ask for our assistance, as we consider ourselves your guide in Turkey.
