Exchanging a driving licence in Turkey: a guide for foreigners
Six months on a foreign licence from entry, then an exchange at the population directorate with no test for licences from road traffic convention countries. You need a notarised translation, a medical report and a criminal record certificate.
| In short | |
|---|---|
| Driving on a foreign licence | 6 months from entry |
| Test on exchange | not needed for convention countries |
| Translation | notarised, into Turkish |
| Medical | a fitness-to-drive report |
| Fees | ~$45 |
| Where | the population directorate, by appointment |
The short answer: you can drive in Turkey on a foreign licence for six months from your date of entry. Anyone living there longer exchanges it for a Turkish licence at the Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. Licences from countries that are parties to the road traffic convention are exchanged without a test, and the fees for the card total about $45.
There are more documents than you might expect: a notarised translation of the licence, a fitness-to-drive medical report, a criminal record certificate from the Turkish e-government system, a translation of your education certificate and a biometric photo. Appointments are booked through the directorate's online queue.
How long you can drive on a foreign licence in Turkey
A foreign licence is valid in Turkey for six months from the date of entry. That is enough for tourists, but residents with a residence permit need a Turkish licence after six months. If the licence is not in Latin script, a notarised translation or an international permit is needed for roadside checks.
Who exchanges a licence without a test
Licences from countries that are parties, together with Turkey, to the international road traffic convention are exchanged without a test. Licences from non-party countries are not accepted for exchange: the directorate sends the applicant to driving school and the tests. The licence must be valid, and the categories on the Turkish licence follow the foreign one.
Licences from convention countries
Most non-EU countries, Russia included, are parties to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so their licences are exchanged for Turkish ones under the general rules, without a test. No special documents are needed: the notarised translation is done in Turkey, and the criminal record certificate comes from the Turkish e-government system. The six months count from the last entry, so leaving and returning starts the period again.
Documents for exchanging a licence
- a passport and a residence or work permit;
- the foreign licence, valid on the day you apply, and a colour copy;
- a notarised Turkish translation of the licence;
- a fitness-to-drive medical report;
- a notarised translation of your education certificate;
- a criminal record certificate from the Turkish e-government system;
- a biometric photo no older than six months and a payment receipt.
How the exchange works: steps
- Get notarised translations of the licence and the education certificate.
- Pass a medical and get the fitness-to-drive report.
- Obtain the criminal record certificate online and pay the fees at the tax office or a bank.
- Book the population directorate through the online queue and file the documents.
- Receive the Turkish licence: it is issued on the spot or sent by post.
How much exchanging a licence costs in Turkey
For a foreign licence exchange in 2026 you pay for the card and the foundation fee, about $45 in total at the Central Bank of Turkey rate of 7 October 2026. The medical, notarised translations and photo are paid separately. The fees are revised every year along with other charges, so check the amount before paying.
Fees are about $45, but there are seven documents and any one can get the application returned
The law does not stop you exchanging a licence in Turkey on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: a translation without notarisation, a medical report without the fit-to-drive mark, a forgotten translation of the education certificate and missing the six months, after which you can no longer drive on a foreign licence. Murblz specialists order the translations, book the medical and the directorate, pay the fees and file the documents. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the city and categories; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
If your licence has expired
Expired foreign licences are not exchanged in Turkey. Renew the licence in the issuing country first, then apply for the exchange. If renewal is impossible, a Turkish licence is obtained through driving school and tests, which costs much more than an exchange.
This topic in other countries
Deadlines, tests and documents for exchanging a licence differ in every country, so it is best to plan the exchange before the move, together with the residence permit: that way you will not spend months on taxis or risk a fine and your insurance.
Exchanging a licence in other countries: Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, UAE, Portugal, Cyprus, Paraguay, USA, Italy.
Turkey residence permit
Types, costs and timelines.
Learn more →Istanbul
Districts, prices and life in the city.
Learn more →Turkey: all programmes
Living, taxes and documents for a move.
Learn more →We will help you exchange your licence without extra visits. Tell us where your licence was issued and when you got your residence permit. We will count the deadline and prepare the documents.
FAQ
How long can you drive in Turkey on a foreign licence?
Is a licence from any country valid in Turkey?
Is a test needed to exchange a licence in Turkey?
How much does exchanging a licence cost in Turkey?
Where do you exchange a licence in Turkey?
What documents are needed to exchange a licence in Turkey?
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