Foreign driving licence in Türkiye: how long you may use it and how to convert it

A tourist may drive in Türkiye on a foreign licence. A resident may not do so indefinitely: under the Highway Traffic Regulation a foreigner who takes up residence must convert the foreign licence into a Turkish one within six months, after which the foreign licence is no longer valid for driving here. Conversion is handled by the population directorate (Nüfus Müdürlüğü), which has issued driving licences since 2016. This guide covers the use limits, the conversion procedure, the documents and the differences between countries.

How long a foreign licence may be used

Holders of a foreign national licence, with or without an international driving permit, may drive in Türkiye for six months from the date of entry. For residence permit holders the six months run from the date residence begins; afterwards the foreign licence must have been converted, or the driver is treated as unlicensed, with the fine and vehicle immobilisation that follow. An international driving permit does not extend the period; it is a translation of the national licence, not a licence. Insurers may also refuse claims where the driver's licence was no longer valid in Türkiye.

Which countries convert directly

Türkiye converts licences on the basis of reciprocity. Licences from countries party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and from countries with which a bilateral arrangement exists are converted without a Turkish driving test, class for class, subject to the Turkish class rules (for example, a Turkish B licence is issued for a foreign car licence; a foreign motorcycle class is converted only where the foreign class matches). For countries without reciprocity or where the Turkish authority cannot verify the licence, the applicant takes the Turkish theory and practical tests before a licence is issued, with the foreign licence counting as proof of prior driving where the rules allow. The current country list and class table are published by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs; check it before you collect documents.

Documents for conversion

• Foreign licence, original, valid, together with a notarised Turkish translation (≈ ₺884 per page at the 2026 notarial tariff, paid by you to the notary) and, for many countries, a verification: an apostilled confirmation from the issuing authority or a letter from your consulate confirming the licence and its classes.
• Residence permit card (or work permit) and passport.
• Driver health report (sürücü sağlık raporu) from a family health centre or a licensed clinic, stating fitness for the requested class.
• Proof of education: for Turkish licences a minimum of primary-school completion is required; a diploma or school certificate, apostilled and translated, is asked for from foreigners.
• Blood group document (from the health report or a laboratory).
• Criminal record certificate from e-Devlet; see our criminal record guide.
• One biometric photograph; the directorate takes the licence photo at the counter in most offices.
• Receipt for the licence fee: the valuable-paper amount (değerli kağıt bedeli) and the licence harç per class from the annual tables, paid at a tax office or bank.

Appointments are booked on the NVİ appointment system. The foreign licence is kept by the directorate and returned to the issuing country through diplomatic channels; if you need it when you leave Türkiye, you may apply to have your Turkish licence exchanged back, subject to that country's rules.

Timing and the new licence

With a complete file the counter visit takes half an hour, and the Turkish licence card is posted by PTT within one to three weeks. The licence carries your YKN and the same classes as the converted licence, subject to the class table. A Turkish licence is valid for ten years for cars (five for heavy classes) and is renewed at the directorate with a fresh health report. Address changes must be declared within 20 business days for the card to reach you; see our address change guide.

Common mistakes

• Translating the licence but not obtaining the verification the directorate asks for your country.
• Health report from a clinic not authorised for driver reports.
• Letting the six months pass and continuing to drive; the fine is applied at the next traffic check.
• Requesting a class the foreign licence does not support.

Sources

• nvi.gov.tr — General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs: driving licence conversion for foreigners, country list
• mevzuat.gov.tr — Karayolları Trafik Kanunu 2918; Karayolları Trafik Yönetmeliği, provisions on foreign licences
• turkiye.gov.tr — e-Devlet: licence appointment, licence status
• gib.gov.tr — Harçlar Kanunu and valuable-paper table: driving licence fees

Questions