To drive legally in Turkey with foreign plates, you need a valid passport, driving licence, vehicle registration document, temporary vehicle import permit (issued at the border), and — crucially — a valid Turkish MTPL insurance policy. Here is the complete checklist for foreign drivers.

The short answer: Five documents: passport, driving licence, vehicle registration (V5C or equivalent), Turkish MTPL insurance policy, and the temporary import permit issued at the border. The first four you bring; the fifth is issued at customs.

Essential documents for driving in Turkey

Every foreign driver operating a foreign-plated vehicle in Turkey needs the following five documents:

  1. Valid passport
  2. Driving licence (home-country or international)
  3. Vehicle registration document
  4. Turkish MTPL insurance policy
  5. Temporary vehicle import permit (issued at the border by Turkish customs)

Insurance requirements in detail

The insurance requirement is the one most likely to catch foreign drivers off guard. You must carry a Turkish MTPL (Zorunlu Trafik Sigortası) policy — a locally issued Turkish insurance document. Your home-country policy, Green Card (if Turkey is not clearly included), or any other foreign insurance certificate is not sufficient on its own.

The policy must:

  • Be issued by a SEDDK-licensed Turkish insurance company
  • Cover the vehicle plate you are driving
  • Be in your name (as passport holder)
  • Be valid on your date of entry and throughout your stay

Turkish traffic police verify insurance electronically via the TRAMER database using your plate number, but customs officers also ask to see the physical (or digital PDF) policy document at the border.

Driving licence requirements

Your home-country driving licence is accepted in Turkey for private vehicle use. Rules by licence type:

  • EU driving licences: Accepted without restriction for any length of stay in Turkey.
  • UK driving licences: Accepted for stays of up to 90 days. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for longer stays.
  • Georgian driving licences: Accepted. An IDP is recommended for stays over 6 months.
  • Russian driving licences: Accepted for stays up to 90 days. An IDP is strongly recommended for longer stays.
  • Other countries: Generally accepted for up to 90 days; an IDP is recommended.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your licence into multiple languages and is issued by your national motoring authority (AA/RAC in UK, Georgian road authorities, etc.). It is not a standalone document — it must be carried alongside your original licence.

Vehicle registration document

You must carry the official vehicle registration document issued in your home country. This is:

  • UK: V5C (logbook)
  • EU countries: Registration certificate (Fahrzeugschein / carte grise / certificat d'immatriculation)
  • Georgia: Saregistracio mowmoba (სარეგისტრაციო მოწმობა)
  • Russia: Svidetelstvo o registratsii (СТС)

If you are driving a vehicle registered to someone else (a company vehicle, borrowed car, etc.), carry a signed authorisation letter from the registered owner. Without it, customs may refuse entry or create complications.

Temporary vehicle import permit

When you enter Turkey by land, Turkish customs issues a Geçici İthalat Belgesi (Temporary Import Permit) for your vehicle. This document:

  • Is stamped into your passport or issued as a separate document
  • Records your vehicle plate, make, and model
  • Allows the foreign-plated vehicle to remain in Turkey for up to 6 months per calendar year
  • Requires you to export the vehicle before the permit expires

Attempting to keep your vehicle in Turkey beyond 6 months without re-exporting it is a serious customs violation that can result in fines and the vehicle being impounded.

What to do at the accident scene in Turkey

Knowing what documents and numbers you need before an accident happens will save time and stress. Turkey uses an official accident report form called the Maddi Hasarlı Trafik Kazası Tespit Tutanağı. Here is what you need and when:

Property-damage-only accidents (no injuries)

  1. Photograph both vehicles and the scene before moving anything
  2. Move vehicles to the roadside if they are blocking traffic
  3. Exchange: full name, phone number, vehicle plate, insurance company, policy number, TRAMER Belge No
  4. Complete the accident report form together — both drivers sign both copies; each keeps one
  5. Submit your copy to your insurer within 5 business days; do not admit fault or pay at the scene

Accidents with injuries

Call the police (155) and emergency services (112) immediately. Do not move the vehicles until police arrive and give permission.

Documents you need for the accident form

  • Your Turkish MTPL policy PDF (contains your insurer's name, policy number, and TRAMER Belge No)
  • Your passport
  • Your vehicle registration document

Save your policy PDF to your phone before you enter Turkey — you may be in an area with no signal when you need it.

Complete pre-departure checklist

  • ✓ Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining validity recommended)
  • ✓ E-visa (if required — UK, US, Canadian citizens need one; most EU citizens do not)
  • ✓ Driving licence (home-country)
  • ✓ International Driving Permit (if staying more than 90 days)
  • ✓ Vehicle registration document
  • ✓ Turkish MTPL insurance policy PDF (on phone and/or printed)
  • ✓ Owner authorisation letter (if driving someone else's vehicle)
  • ✓ Emergency contact numbers (insurer, roadside assistance if purchased)

Documents to collect at the border:

  • ✓ Temporary vehicle import permit (Geçici İthalat Belgesi) — issued by Turkish customs