Quick facts
| Topic | In Turkey |
|---|---|
| Driving side | Right; overtake on the left |
| Speed limits (cars) | 50 km/h in towns · 90 km/h two-way roads · 110 km/h divided roads · 130 km/h motorways |
| Alcohol limit | 0.5 g/l for car drivers; 0.0 when towing |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Tolls | Electronic only (HGS); no cash booths |
| Foreign licence | Valid for up to six months after entry; UK licences need a 1968 IDP or a Turkish-notarised copy; non-Latin licences need an IDP |
Rules of the road
- Seat belts are compulsory in every seat, front and back.
- Use a mobile phone only with a hands-free system.
- Children under 150 cm and 36 kg travel in the back in a suitable child seat or booster; children under three always need a child seat. A rear-facing baby seat goes in the front only with the airbag switched off.
- Give way as signs indicate at roundabouts; priority rules are not the same at every roundabout.
- Cars must carry two warning triangles, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Check that they are in the boot at pickup.
- Speed cameras and average-speed sections are common on main roads.
Speed limits
Unless signs show otherwise, these limits apply to private cars. Limits for vans, minibuses and cars towing a trailer are lower.
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Inside towns and villages | 50 km/h |
| Two-way roads outside towns | 90 km/h |
| Divided roads (dual carriageways) | 110 km/h |
| Motorways (otoyol) | 130 km/h; 140 km/h on some newer motorways where signed |
Tolls and the HGS system
Turkey’s motorways, the bridges over the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, the Eurasia Tunnel and some other tunnels are tolled electronically. There are no cash booths: cameras and readers record the vehicle as it passes. Rental cars carry an HGS tag, usually a sticker behind the windscreen, which is linked to the rental company’s account.
The company pays the tolls and charges them to you after the rental, together with the invoice, from the deposit or by card. Some add a small service fee. Do not remove the tag and do not stop at the toll gates.
Tolled routes that rental drivers often use include:
- The three Bosphorus bridges and the Eurasia Tunnel in Istanbul
- The Northern Marmara Motorway around Istanbul
- The Osmangazi Bridge and the O-5 motorway from Istanbul towards Bursa and Izmir
- The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge over the Dardanelles
- The O-4 (TEM) towards Ankara
- The O-31 Izmir–Aydın and O-32 Izmir–Çeşme motorways
- The Göcek Tunnel between Dalaman and Fethiye
The coastal D400 between Kemer, Antalya, Side and Alanya and the road from Milas–Bodrum Airport to Bodrum have no tolls.
Fuel and charging
Petrol is benzin (usually 95 octane) and diesel is motorin; LPG is common too. Check the fuel type on the cap or in the rental agreement before you fill up. Most stations are attended, accept cards and are frequent on main roads. In mountain areas and on remote stretches of coast they are further apart, so fill up before you set off. Electric-car charging is growing in cities and along motorways, but plan longer trips with a charging app.
Parking
Look for signs saying otopark. Many town centres and resort areas have attended paid car parks, and in Istanbul the municipal İSPARK car parks are a reliable option. Street parking in old towns is limited and illegal parking is towed or fined. Ask your hotel about parking before you arrive.
Police checks and documents
Traffic police and gendarmerie checkpoints are common, especially on main roads in summer. Keep your licence, your passport, the rental agreement and the car’s registration papers in the car. If you hold a UK licence or one that is not in the Latin alphabet, carry your International Driving Permit too.
Accidents and breakdowns
Call 112 if anyone is hurt. For any accident, call the rental company before moving the car and follow its instructions. Insurance cover usually requires an official accident report, and leaving without one can make you liable for the damage. For a breakdown, call the company’s roadside number on your voucher or key tag.
Borders and ferries
Most rental companies do not allow their cars to leave Turkey. Crossing into Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia or other countries needs the company’s written permission, special insurance and a fee arranged in advance. Taking a car on a ferry, including domestic routes, can also be restricted. Ask before you book.
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026. Rental conditions change; the offer you select always shows the current terms.