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UK visitors can drive in Turkey with a valid UK licence, but GOV.UK says drivers need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) or a UK driving licence notarised into Turkish. A Green Card is also required as proof of third-party insurance when driving a foreign-registered vehicle.
This guide explains the documents, insurance, car hire requirements and road rules worth knowing before a Turkish road trip. For the wider journey, TravelApp can also help coordinate flights, accommodation, insurance and other travel arrangements through one trusted UK travel agency.
Yes. GOV.UK currently says UK drivers need a 1968 International Driving Permit or a UK driving licence notarised into Turkish.
The 1949 version of the IDP is no longer accepted for Turkey. The GOV.UK International Driving Permit guidance confirms that Turkey requires the 1968 IDP.
The IDP does not replace the UK licence. Both should be carried together.
There is also an alternative: having the UK driving licence notarised into Turkish. For most holidaymakers, obtaining the correct IDP before leaving Britain is likely to be the more straightforward route.
GOV.UK currently states that an IDP costs £5.50 and is available from certain shops offering PayPoint services. The application needs to be made in the UK because GOV.UK states that an IDP cannot be bought outside the UK.
The application should therefore be handled before travelling to Turkey.
It is also worth checking the rental company's own terms. A company may have additional requirements even where the driver meets the country's legal requirements.
A UK driving licence can currently be used in Turkey for up to six months.
GOV.UK states that drivers aged 18 or over can drive in Turkey for up to six months using a UK driving licence. Continuing to drive after that period requires exchanging the UK licence for a Turkish licence.
This is mainly relevant to longer stays rather than a typical one- or two-week holiday.
The six-month driving rule should also not be confused with Turkey's separate immigration, residence and vehicle-import rules.
A simple document folder can prevent a lot of unnecessary hassle.
For a hire car, the main documents are:
Valid UK driving licence
1968 International Driving Permit or notarised Turkish translation
Passport
Rental agreement
Proof of insurance
Payment card used for the rental deposit
For a UK-registered vehicle being taken to Turkey, the paperwork is broader:
UK driving licence
1968 IDP or notarised Turkish translation
Passport
V5C vehicle log book
Green Card
Valid vehicle insurance
UK sticker where required
Any documents required by Turkish customs
GOV.UK's general driving abroad guidance also advises taking the V5C and insurance certificate when taking a vehicle abroad.
Keeping digital copies can be useful, but digital copies should not be treated as a replacement where an original document is required.
The exact requirements vary by rental company, vehicle category and driver.
A typical rental desk may ask for:
UK driving licence
1968 IDP
Passport
Booking confirmation
Payment card in the lead driver's name
Minimum age requirements
Evidence of how long the licence has been held
The legal driving age and rental-company minimum age are not necessarily the same.
Turkey's legal driving age is 18, but rental companies can impose higher minimum ages. A company may also restrict certain vehicle categories to older drivers.
Young-driver charges can apply below the company's standard age threshold.
Yes. Rental companies can set their own deposit and payment conditions.
Some require a credit card in the lead driver's name for the security deposit. Others may accept selected debit cards, but this depends entirely on the company and vehicle.
The booking terms should be checked before arriving at the desk rather than assuming that a standard bank card will be accepted.
Some UK rental companies may ask for driving licence verification.
GOV.UK explains that a driving licence check code can be created up to 21 days before a trip and shared with a hire company where required.
This is a rental-company requirement rather than a universal Turkish driving document.
Turkey requires third-party motor insurance, and UK drivers bringing a foreign-registered vehicle must carry a Green Card as proof of cover.
GOV.UK specifically lists Turkey among the countries where a Green Card may be required. Its Turkey travel advice states that drivers must carry a Green Card showing third-party insurance.
A Green Card is different from travel insurance.
Motor insurance relates to the vehicle and road-use liability.
Travel insurance can cover areas such as:
Medical treatment
Cancellation
Curtailment
Personal belongings
Travel disruption
The exact cover depends on the policy.
TravelApp's UK travel insurance guide explains the main areas worth checking before a trip.
A Turkish rental car will normally come with compulsory insurance, but that does not mean every type of damage or every excess is automatically covered.
Rental agreements can include different combinations of:
Third-party liability
Collision damage protection
Theft protection
Excess
Windscreen and tyre cover
Additional driver cover
Roadside assistance
The important figure is not simply the rental price. The excess and exclusions can make a significant difference if something goes wrong.
Yes, when driving a foreign-registered vehicle.
This is one of the biggest differences between driving a UK car in Turkey and driving through most EU countries.
GOV.UK's current vehicle insurance guidance specifically includes Turkey among the countries where a Green Card may be required.
Anyone taking a UK-registered car should contact the insurer well before departure.
GOV.UK warns that insurers may take time to issue a Green Card, with some providers requiring several weeks.
For a hire car, the rental company's insurance arrangements are handled through the rental agreement, so the customer should check exactly what proof of cover is supplied.
Driving a UK car into Turkey is considerably more complicated than picking up a hire car at Antalya Airport.
The vehicle becomes subject to Turkish customs rules as well as ordinary road and insurance requirements.
Turkish Customs states that people resident outside Turkey can temporarily bring foreign-registered vehicles for private use, provided they meet the relevant conditions. One important test is whether the person has been outside Turkey for at least 185 days in the preceding year.
The maximum temporary-import period can be up to 730 days in qualifying circumstances, but that does not mean every foreign visitor automatically receives 730 days. The period available can depend on residence status, immigration permission and the circumstances of the vehicle.
For that reason, anyone planning to take a UK car to Turkey for an extended period should check the Turkish Customs rules for the exact circumstances.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade guidance on foreign vehicles provides the current customs rules and eligibility conditions.
The core documents include:
Passport
UK driving licence
1968 IDP or notarised Turkish translation
V5C
Green Card
Vehicle insurance
UK sticker
Any customs documentation required for the vehicle
If the vehicle belongs to someone else, written authorisation and additional documentation may be required.
A UK vehicle travelling outside Britain may need a country identifier.
GOV.UK advises checking the current vehicle identifier and sticker requirements before travelling. The exact requirement can depend on what is already displayed on the registration plate.
It is worth checking this before leaving the UK rather than assuming that a UK identifier built into the number plate will be accepted everywhere.
Drivers should check the equipment supplied with a rental car before leaving the airport.
The original rental agreement and Turkish vehicle requirements can differ depending on the vehicle type, so equipment should not simply be assumed to be present.
For a road trip, it is sensible to check for:
| Item | What to check |
| Warning triangles | Confirm the vehicle has the required warning equipment |
| First-aid kit | Check that one is present |
| Fire extinguisher | Check that the vehicle has the required extinguisher |
| Reflective vest | Keep it accessible rather than buried in the luggage |
| Spare/repair equipment | Check the vehicle's tyre and breakdown equipment |
| Rental emergency details | Save the company's roadside assistance number |
Rental vehicles should meet the requirements applicable to them, but checking the equipment at collection takes only a few minutes.
The priority after an accident is safety.
Stop safely and switch on the hazard lights.
Check whether anyone is injured.
Contact emergency services if medical assistance is required.
Follow police instructions if officers attend the scene.
Exchange driver, vehicle and insurance details.
Photograph the vehicles, registration plates, road position and visible damage.
Contact the rental company as soon as possible.
Avoid signing documents that are not understood.
GOV.UK advises drivers to take particular care on Turkish roads and to approach checkpoints slowly while following the instructions of security personnel. It also warns that accidents are common, particularly because of poor or reckless driving.
For a hire car, the rental company's emergency procedure should be saved before leaving the airport.
Turkey uses the HGS electronic toll system on toll roads and bridges.
HGS allows vehicles to pass through toll points electronically rather than stopping to pay at a conventional cash barrier. The official Turkish Post and Telegraph Organisation (PTT) explains that HGS products are linked to the vehicle and used for toll payments on motorways and bridges.
Many rental vehicles already have an HGS arrangement.
The rental company can then charge the relevant tolls to the renter under the company's terms. An administration fee may also apply, depending on the company.
The exact process should be confirmed at collection.
The official HGS system warns that insufficient balance can result in an unpaid passage. PTT guidance states that the required balance should be restored within the relevant period to avoid a penalised charge.
This makes it particularly important to understand how the rental company's HGS system works before setting off.
For a privately owned UK vehicle, the HGS arrangement needs to be handled separately.
Turkey drives on the right-hand side of the road, unlike the UK.
Several other differences are worth remembering.
Speed limits vary according to road type, vehicle and location. Posted signs take priority.
The limits can also differ from those familiar to UK drivers, particularly on motorways and different categories of roads.
Avoid relying on a single nationwide figure. Check the signs throughout the journey.
Seat belts should be worn by occupants where required.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited.
Turkey has stricter drink-driving rules than the UK in some circumstances, particularly for professional drivers.
The safest option for anyone driving is not to drink before driving.
Lighting requirements can differ from UK practice, particularly outside built-up areas.
The vehicle handbook and local road signs should be followed.
Checkpoints can be encountered on Turkish roads.
This does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the journey.
When approaching a checkpoint:
Slow down
Follow the officer's instructions
Keep documents accessible
Remain in the vehicle unless instructed otherwise
Do not attempt to bypass the checkpoint
The documents most useful to have ready include the driving licence, IDP, passport, rental agreement and insurance evidence.
GOV.UK specifically advises travellers to approach checkpoints slowly and follow security personnel's instructions.
Driving conditions can change considerably between major tourist areas and more remote parts of the country.
GOV.UK says roads between major cities are generally in excellent condition but warns that road surfaces can be poorer in remote areas. It also advises particular care when travelling at night.
A road trip through the Turkish Riviera can therefore feel very different from driving long distances through rural or mountainous areas.
Routes around Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris, Bodrum and other popular destinations can involve winding roads, gradients and changing traffic conditions.
Allowing extra time is sensible rather than planning every journey around the shortest possible route.
The six-month UK driving-licence rule becomes important for longer stays.
GOV.UK states that people aged 18 or over can use a UK driving licence for up to six months in Turkey. After that, a Turkish licence is required.
But driving-licence rules are only one part of a longer stay.
Residence status, vehicle import rules and customs requirements follow their own conditions.
Anyone planning to remain in Turkey for an extended period should therefore check the current Turkish authorities' rules rather than treating the standard tourist arrangements as permanent.
Driving documents are separate from immigration documents.
British citizens travelling for tourism can currently enter Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. GOV.UK also states that passport requirements apply and should be checked before departure.
For a Turkey holiday, it is therefore useful to check both:
Entry requirements
Driving requirements
The two sets of rules are separate.
TravelApp's wider travel-planning approach is useful here because the flight, passport, insurance and driving paperwork all form part of the same journey rather than separate tasks.
For European journeys, TravelApp also keeps travellers informed about changing border procedures through its latest EES and border guidance.
A five-minute check at the rental desk can prevent problems later.
UK driving licence
1968 IDP
Passport
Booking confirmation
Payment card
Rental agreement
Confirm compulsory cover
Check the excess
Check exclusions
Ask about roadside assistance
Confirm what happens after an accident
Check the fuel level
Photograph existing damage
Check tyres
Check lights
Check warning equipment
Confirm the HGS arrangement
Save the rental company's emergency number
Minimum driver age
Young-driver surcharge
Additional-driver rules
Deposit amount
Accepted payment cards
Mileage limits
Cross-border restrictions
Fuel policy
Photographing the vehicle before departure is particularly useful. Existing scratches or dents should be recorded according to the rental company's process before the car leaves the collection point.
For a UK traveller hiring a car in Turkey, the paperwork is worth sorting before departure.
Before leaving the UK, check that the following are ready:
Licence: Valid UK driving licence.
IDP: 1968 International Driving Permit, or a UK driving licence with a notarised Turkish translation.
Insurance: Appropriate third-party insurance cover.
Green Card: Required when driving a foreign-registered vehicle.
Rental agreement: Check the minimum age, deposit, insurance, excess, mileage and HGS arrangements.
Vehicle: Photograph any existing damage and check the vehicle and supplied equipment before leaving the rental desk.
Longer stays: Check the six-month driving-licence limit separately from Turkey's residence and vehicle-import rules.
Getting these details sorted before arrival can make the car-hire process much smoother, particularly when a road trip is only one part of a wider Turkey holiday.
A Turkey road trip involves more than choosing a rental car. Flights, departure airports, baggage, accommodation, transfers, insurance and driving arrangements all need to work together.
That is where TravelApp can help as a wider UK travel planning partner, rather than simply handling the flight. Bringing different parts of the journey together can make it easier to compare the overall trip and deal with practical details before departure.
For example, flight options can be compared through TravelApp Flights, while the TravelApp guide to saving money on holidays can help when looking at the total holiday cost rather than the airfare alone.
Travel insurance is another part of the planning process. The TravelApp UK travel insurance guide covers the main areas of cover worth checking before departure.
For a Turkey holiday involving flights, accommodation, transfers or other arrangements, TravelApp can be contacted on +44 20 3137 0990 or info@travelapp.co.uk.
The aim is to make the journey easier to organise as a whole, not just to find a flight.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
Yes, but a UK licence alone is not enough under current GOV.UK guidance. Drivers need a valid UK licence together with a 1968 International Driving Permit or a UK licence notarised into Turkish.
Yes. GOV.UK currently requires a 1968 IDP or a UK driving licence notarised into Turkish. The older 1949 IDP is not accepted for Turkey.
A UK licence can currently be used for up to six months by drivers aged 18 or over. Continuing to drive after that requires exchanging the licence for a Turkish one.
Yes. GOV.UK says drivers need a Green Card to show third-party insurance when driving in Turkey.
The rental company's own insurance arrangements apply to its vehicles. The important point is to confirm what insurance documentation and cover are included in the rental agreement before collecting the vehicle.
A rental company will normally require a valid driving licence, 1968 IDP, passport and payment card. Additional requirements can include minimum licence-holding periods, age requirements and a driving licence check.
The legal driving age is 18, but rental companies can set higher minimum ages. Requirements vary according to the company and vehicle category.
Some companies may accept debit cards, while others require a credit card for the security deposit. The specific rental company's payment terms should be checked before travel.
HGS is Turkey's electronic toll system. Vehicles use an electronic HGS product to pay tolls on participating motorways and bridges. Rental companies often have their own process for charging the renter for toll usage.
Stop safely, check for injuries, contact emergency services where necessary, exchange information, photograph the scene and contact the rental company or insurer. Do not sign documents that are not understood.
Yes, but foreign-registered vehicles are subject to Turkish customs rules. Eligibility can depend on residence and the number of days spent outside Turkey during the preceding year. Turkish Customs provides detailed guidance for foreign vehicles.
There is no single 730-day rule that applies automatically to every UK visitor. Turkish Customs says qualifying foreign residents can receive up to 730 days in certain circumstances, while the period available to other foreign nationals can depend on their permitted stay in Turkey.
Check the current UK vehicle-identification rules before departure. GOV.UK advises drivers to check whether a country sticker is required based on the vehicle's registration plate and destination.
British citizens can currently visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or business, subject to the applicable entry requirements.
