Car Rental & Driving in Turkey
A car gives you freedom, but Turkish traffic demands attention. Here is your practical guide to renting and surviving on the roads.
Rental Requirements
License: EU, UK, US, or other national licenses are accepted. An IDP is recommended but not mandatory. Always carry your passport.
Age: Usually 21+. A "Young Driver Fee" applies for those under 25.
Deposit: A physical Credit Card in the main driver's name is required to block the deposit.
Driving Culture
Honking: It's a communication tool ("I am here", "Green light"), not aggression.
Right of Way: Forget standard rules. In reality, priority often goes to whoever is bigger or faster. Always be ready to brake.
Tolls (HGS): Rental cars have an HGS sticker. Just drive through the gates; the fee is deducted from your deposit.
I. Rental Essentials: Insurance & Contracts
Full Insurance & Zero Excess
Basic rental prices usually include only mandatory Third Party Liability (TPL). This does NOT cover damage to your rental car.
Advice: Always opt for Full Coverage (CDW) with Zero Excess. Minor scratches are common in dense Turkish traffic.
Who to Choose?
Small "street corner" rental shops are cheap but risky. Safe Choice: Use major international brands (Avis, Hertz) or reputable Turkish chains (Garenta, Cizgi). Always take photos and video of the car upon pickup.
II. Roads, Police & Parking
Speed Limits & Alcohol
Speed: 50 km/h (City), 90 km/h (Roads), 120-140 km/h (Highways).
Alcohol: The limit is 0.5 permille. NOTE: If you have an accident and any alcohol is found in your blood, your insurance becomes void immediately.
Seatbelts: Mandatory for all passengers.
ACCIDENTS & BRIBERY (Critical!)
In case of accident: DO NOT MOVE THE CAR! Unlike in many countries, you must wait for the police to write a report before moving the vehicle, otherwise insurance may be void. Call 112.
Bribery: Never attempt to bribe a police officer. It is a serious criminal offense.
Speed Cameras & Fines
There are many cardboard police car mockups, but also real cameras (EDS). Speeding fines go directly to the rental company, which will charge your credit card.
Police Checkpoints
Police (Polis) or Military Police (Jandarma) checkpoints are common. If stopped, stay calm, smile, and show your documents.
Parking & Attendants
Parking in cities is chaotic. Look for "Otopark" signs (paid lots). On streets, attendants (parkomat) may collect fees in cash.
Navigation: Google vs. Yandex
Yandex Maps is often more accurate than Google Maps in Turkey. Note: Turkey is not in the EU Roaming zone; data can be very expensive. Buy local E-SIM or download offline maps.
III. Fuel & Car Care
How to Refuel?
Full Service: You do not pump gas yourself. An attendant does it.
Fuel Types: Motorin (Diesel, Black) / Kurşunsuz Benzin (Petrol 95, Green).
Payment: Pay by card at the pump or inside the shop.
Car Wash (Oto Yikama)
Rental companies often require the car to be returned clean. Hand car washes (Oto Yikama) are very common and cheap (5-10 EUR).
IV. Scooters & E-Scooters
Moped Rental
Popular in resorts. Standard car license (B) is enough for 50cc. Helmets are mandatory.
E-Scooters (Marti, BinBin)
Shared electric scooters are everywhere. You need an app and a credit card. Ride carefully or better avoid :).