How long you can drive on a foreign license
Visitors can generally drive in Turkey on a valid foreign license (with an International Driving Permit recommended alongside it) for up to 6 months. Once you become a resident, that window closes and you need either a Turkish license or a formal conversion of your existing one.
Whether you need a test depends on your country
Turkey has reciprocal agreements with a number of countries that allow a straight paperwork conversion, no driving test required. Nationals from countries without such an agreement generally need to pass both a written test (available in several languages) and a practical driving test at a Turkish traffic authority.
Check your specific country before assuming
Which countries qualify for a no-test conversion changes periodically as Turkey updates its bilateral agreements. Confirm your country’s current status directly with the traffic registration office (trafik tescil) before you plan around either path.
What you need either way
Your original license (plus a notarized Turkish translation), passport, residence permit, a recent eye test from a Turkish optician, and passport photos. If a driving test is required, budget extra time — appointment slots can book up weeks in advance in larger cities.
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Book a free call →This article is general information as of 2026. Reciprocal agreements, test requirements and required documents change and vary by nationality — confirm your specific situation with the Turkish traffic registration office before applying.
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