The short answer
Most visitors can rent and drive a car in Turkey on their national licence for a holiday. Turkey joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic in 2013, and licences from most European countries are accepted for tourist stays. The main exceptions are UK licence holders, who need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) or a UK licence notarised in Turkish, and drivers whose licence is not written in the Latin alphabet. If you are unsure, an IDP is cheap and settles the question at the rental desk and at police checks.
An IDP is a translation of your licence, not a licence on its own: always carry it together with your national licence.
Rules by licence
| Licence | For a holiday rental in Turkey | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1968 IDP or a UK licence notarised in Turkish | UK government advice: the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted, and the IDP must be bought in the UK before you travel. |
| United States | US licence accepted for visits of up to 90 days | US State Department; for stays up to a year, carry a notarised Turkish translation. An IDP from AAA or AATA is a cheap backup. |
| Germany | German licence recognised for tourist stays | German Foreign Office. An IDP is not required. |
| Poland | Polish licence valid for up to six months | Polish government guidance. |
| Netherlands | Dutch licence usually accepted; IDP recommended | The Dutch government says most non-EU countries require an IDP; the ANWB issues the 1968 model. |
| Romania | Romanian licence valid for tourist stays | An IDP is advised for longer stays. |
| Other EU countries | EU photocard licence generally accepted | Check your own government’s advice; carry an IDP if your licence is an old paper version. |
| Russia | New-format plastic licence with Latin letters generally accepted | Old paper licences can be questioned at the desk; an IDP is a useful backup. |
| Australia | Australian licence valid for up to six months | Australian government advice: digital licences may not be accepted. |
| Licence not in the Latin alphabet | IDP required | Rental desks and police must be able to read your licence. |
Why the rules differ
Two sets of rules apply. Turkish law decides which licences the police accept; for most visitors a foreign licence is valid for a tourist stay of up to six months from entry, while US guidance gives 90 days for US licences. The rental company then sets its own conditions in the offer, and a desk can refuse a licence it cannot read even when the police would accept it. That is why an IDP helps most when your licence is in another alphabet, is an old paper version or comes from a country whose rules are unclear.
What the rental company asks for
- Your passport or national ID card.
- The physical driving licence, valid for the whole rental. Do not rely on a digital licence app.
- A licence held for at least one or two years, as stated in the offer.
- A minimum age, usually 21, and higher for some larger or premium cars.
- An IDP when your licence is not in the Latin alphabet or the offer asks for one.
- A card or cash for the deposit, depending on the offer – see our guides to no-deposit rentals and renting without a credit card.
The driver requirements are listed in each offer’s terms. Check them before you pay, especially for young drivers and newly qualified drivers.
How to get an IDP
An IDP is only issued in the country that issued your licence, so get it before you travel. Choose the 1968 model for Turkey. UK drivers buy it in the UK; in the United States, the State Department authorises only AAA and AATA to issue IDPs; elsewhere, ask your licensing authority or national automobile club. Avoid websites selling an “international driving licence”: these documents are not official and are not accepted as an IDP.
Documents to carry while driving
- Your national driving licence (the card)
- Your IDP or notarised translation, if you need one
- Your passport
- The rental agreement and the car’s registration papers, which the company leaves in the car
- Your booking voucher with the company’s phone number
Police and gendarmerie checks are common on main roads, especially in summer. Our guide to driving in Turkey covers speed limits, tolls and what to do after an accident.
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026. Rental conditions change; the offer you select always shows the current terms.