As in Ukraine, in Türkiye traffic flows from the right and pedestrians have priority at the marked crossings.

Türkiye has a speed limit of 50 km/h in built-up areas and inner city, 90 km/h in intercity, 110 km/h on dual carriageway and a maximum of 120 km/h on highways. However, there are often varying speed limits introduced in most sections of the highways for automobiles.

Seat belts in the front and rear are obligatory.

The legal alcohol limit for private drivers is set at 0.50 promille.

More information can be found here .

Foreign driver’s licenses are only valid for 6 months as of the date of entry into Türkiye. At the end of such 6 months period, a foreign driver's license must be converted into a Turkish driver's license in order to legally drive in Türkiye. The application to convert a foreign driver’s license can be made to the civil registry offices (nüfus müdürlüğü in Turkish).

Documents required for such conversion procedure are:

• Foreign driver’s license (as well as a photocopy thereof)
• Notarized Turkish translation of the foreign driver’s license
• ID card
• Medical certificate confirming the necessary conditions for driving a motor vehicle of the corresponding category (which can be obtained from authorized healthcare facilities)
• Proof of payment of the relevant service fee
• Biometric photo
• Document showing the blood type of the license holder
• Notarized Turkish translation of the certificate of education
• Criminal record (which is checked online by the officials)

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the Mutual Recognition and Exchange of National Driving Licenses clarifies that the recognition of Ukrainian licenses in Türkiye takes place for individuals holding a temporary or permanent residence permit and that the exchange of driving licenses will take place without the need for any theoretical or practical exams.

More information can be obtained by calling the number 199, which is the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. The call centre also offers consultancy in the English, German, and Arabic languages.

On December 25, 2022, the long-awaited Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Turkey on mutual recognition of driver's licenses will enter into force.

From now on, if citizens of two states are permanently or temporarily residing in another country, their driver's licenses will also be valid in that country. That is, Ukrainian drivers will not have to:

• plan a trip abroad to Turkey every 6 months;
• spend time and money trying to get a driver's license in Turkey to replace the Ukrainian one;
• worry about problems with insurance companies due to the fact that the car was driven by a person who was legally in Turkey for more than 6 months and did not replace the driver's license.

Persons residing abroad may temporarily, without registration, bring one foreign-registered vehicle registered in their name at their place of residence to Türkiye. However, persons residing in the European Union and European Free Trade Association countries may also bring vehicles registered in their name in the European Union and European Free Trade Association countries other than their place of residence.

In order to bring your foreign-registered vehicle to Türkiye, in addition to having a regular residence in the country where the vehicle is registered, you must have been abroad for at least 185 days in the last year prior to the date of entry into Türkiye.

Foreign nationals who have a residence permit in Türkiye may have their vehicles registered for the period specified in their residence permit, not exceeding 730 days. Foreign nationals who do not have a residence permit in Türkiye are granted a total of 90 days in 180 days.

When entering with a vehicle with a foreign licence plate, you need to have with you your driver’s license, proof of ownership of the vehicle and a valid insurance policy for the vehicle. In order to expedite the procedures at the border, you may complete a pre-declaration via this link , which is an online pre-declaration system introduced by the Ministry of Customs and Trade, and declare relevant information on your vehicle at least 15 days in advance.

It is possible for a vehicle registered in the name of someone else in Ukraine to be brought to Türkiye by others through a power of attorney or by way of lease, provided that the following conditions are met:

• Both the person bringing the vehicle by proxy and the vehicle owner must be a resident outside of Türkiye,
• The vehicle must be registered in the country of residence of the person bringing it,
• Lease agreement for vehicles brought by renting (rent a car).

In case the vehicle is brought to Türkiye by way of a power of attorney or lease, one of the following documents (as applicable) must be submitted to the customs office:

• A power of attorney approved by the embassy, consulate or notary public, or if the person bringing the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle are present at the customs office, a power of attorney to be issued between these persons and approved by the customs office,
• A document issued between real persons and certified by the officials of the relevant country, such as the customs office, municipality, police or court,
• Lease agreement for vehicles brought by renting (rent a car).

Vehicles registered in the name of a legal person can also be brought to Türkiye and such vehicles are granted a total of 90 days, provided that the following documents are submitted:

• Power of attorney evidencing the approval of the shareholder or board of directors,
• Document evidencing that the proxy is either a shareholder or an employee of the legal person.

Please be informed that documents listed above should be translated into Turkish and the translation should either be notarized or approved by the consular.

After being brought to Türkiye, foreign-registered vehicles can be used by the permit holder, the spouse, parents and children of the permit holder, if the condition to residing abroad is met and documentation evidencing such relationship is provided. The use of the vehicle (except for emergencies) by another person other than the persons listed above is not permitted, even if the permit holder is also present in the vehicle.

In order to compensate the damages caused by vehicles involved in accidents with foreign license plates, it is mandatory to have compulsory traffic insurance or an insurance coverage equivalent to such insurance. The insurance coverage is therefore checked at the border. Vehicles without any insurance or a valid insurance can issue an insurance policy from the nearest place to the customs office.

In relation to the above, green card is a document evidencing a valid international traffic insurance in countries participating in the green card system and an equivalent of a compulsory motor third party liability insurance. Green card provides an easier procedure for indemnification in cases of accident in another member country. Türkiye and Ukraine are both members to the green card system, therefore vehicles with such insurance will not be required to have a further compulsory traffic insurance policy in Türkiye.

For more information, please see this link .

There is an electronic payment system called HGS (Fast Passing System, hızlı geçiş sistemi in Turkish) for the payment of a fee or toll (distance-based charges) applicable on certain sections of private motorways in Türkiye, including certain bridges and tunnels. The obligation to pay tolls via the HGS is obligatory for all kinds of vehicles, however the amount of toll may differ. This system is available in two different options, either in form of a HGS windscreen sticker or a HGS card. Toll control points have barriers that are automatically lifted when the corresponding fee is paid via a vignette or the HGS card, allowing the vehicle to pass.

HGS stickers or cards can be purchased from the Turkish Post Office (abbreviated as PTT in Turkish) or banks and the credit can be loaded online using a debit or credit card or via the Turkish Post Office or ATMs.

For more information, please see this link .

It is prohibited to park vehicles in places where:

• parking is prohibited by traffic signs
• in front of and on passageways
• within a distance of 5 meters from both directions to designated fire hydrants, schools, hospitals etc.
• within a distance of 15 meters from both directions to the signs indicating the stops of public service passenger vehicles (such as municipality bus)
• in lanes other than the rightmost lane unless there is a sign to the contrary
• in a way that prevents the exit of parked vehicles
• out of the parking time or period indicated on the signposts
• on pedestrian roads and similar places

Certain parking areas belong to municipalities and require payment.

Drivers are mostly held liable for exceeding speed limits, running red lights, parking violations and driving under the influence. Fines are further imposed for failure to wear a seat belt, using a cell phone while driving, objecting to an alcohol test, not complying with lane change rules, driving without a license, driving under the influence of drugs, wrong use of license plates and similar reasons.

A trailer or a non-motorized caravan may be brought along with the land vehicle for personal use. The trailer must have a license plate and be registered as a separate vehicle.

There are no general declaration requirements or restrictions regarding products bought in Europe, provided that the purchased items are for your own use and not for resale. To determine if the products purchased are intended for own use, customs authorities may verify the products, e.g. the packages or the quantity. In order to prove that goods are for own use, authorities may ask to see the receipt or other proof of purchase. The failure to provide adequate and sufficient proof may require the payment of duties or the confiscation of the relevant products. The general rule therefore is that accompanied baggage of non-commercial nature and quantity is exempt from customs duties. There are certain quantity limits and restrictions in relation to certain consumables such as, for instance, cigarettes, alcohol or sugary products.

More information can be found here .