All foreign-plated motorcycles entering Turkey must carry valid Turkish MTPL insurance. Your home-country policy is not accepted. Turkish motorcycle insurance starts from just €26 per month — and the 6-month and 12-month rates are both €39, making longer tours exceptionally good value.
Do motorcycles need Turkish insurance?
Yes, without exception. Turkish Compulsory Traffic Insurance (Zorunlu Trafik Sigortası / MTPL) is required for every motorised vehicle on Turkish roads — including motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds with foreign registration plates.
Your home-country motorcycle insurance — whether a UK, EU, Georgian, or Russian policy — is not accepted as valid cover in Turkey. This applies regardless of whether your policy includes third-party liability cover that technically extends to Turkey (as sometimes claimed by UK insurers). Turkish law requires a locally issued MTPL policy, and Turkish customs enforce this requirement at the border.
Motorcycle riders stopped by Turkish traffic police without a valid MTPL policy face fines and possible impoundment of the vehicle.
Turkish motorcycle insurance prices
Motorcycle MTPL prices for foreign-plated bikes are set by SEDDK regulation:
- 1 month: €26
- 3 months: €26
- 6 months: €39 ← best value for summer touring season
- 12 months: €39 ← same price as 6 months — get 12 months for the price of 6
The pricing structure for motorcycles is highly favourable for longer stays. At €39 for 12 months, the annual rate works out at just €3.25 per month — extraordinary value for overlanders or anyone planning an extended tour of Turkey and the region.
There is no additional charge based on engine size, motorcycle type, or rider age. The price is flat across all foreign-registered motorcycles.
What vehicle types count as a motorcycle
For Turkish MTPL purposes, the motorcycle category includes:
- Motorcycles — all engine sizes, from 50cc scooters to 1200cc+ adventure bikes
- Mopeds — 50cc and under with an engine
- Scooters — if foreign-registered and motor-powered
- Sidecars — registered as a motorcycle in the home country
Note: Electric bicycles (e-bikes / pedelecs) do not require Turkish MTPL insurance as they are classified as bicycles, not motor vehicles, in Turkish law — as long as they have pedals and the motor assists rather than replaces pedalling.
If your vehicle is a three-wheeler (trike) or classified differently in your home country, let us know when you contact us — the classification matters for the policy category.
Motorcycle touring in Turkey — what to know
Turkey is a world-class motorcycle destination. The country offers enormous route variety: Black Sea coastal roads, Cappadocia's lunar landscapes, the Aegean coast, the Taurus Mountains, and the eastern highlands. Key information for motorcycle tourers:
- Helmet law: Helmets are mandatory for riders and passengers on all public roads in Turkey. Traffic police enforce this rigorously.
- Motorway access: Most Turkish motorways (otoyol) are accessible to motorcycles above 50cc. Scooters under 50cc are generally restricted to non-motorway roads.
- Fuel: Petrol stations are common on main routes. LPG is widely available for cars but not motorcycles. Unleaded 95 and 98 are standard.
- Mountain roads: Eastern Turkey has excellent mountain roads that are well-suited to adventure bikes, but some passes close in winter (November–April). Check road conditions before riding into the east.
- Traffic: Turkish cities — particularly Istanbul — have challenging traffic. Filtering is common practice in Turkish cities, though technically regulated.
Many motorcycle tourers combine Turkey with Georgia, and it is worth noting that Georgia has its own insurance requirements. Contact us if you need advice on insurance for a multi-country tour.
How to buy motorcycle insurance for Turkey
The process is exactly the same as for cars. Contact us on WhatsApp with:
- Your full name (as on passport)
- Passport number
- Motorcycle registration plate
- Policy start date
- Duration (1, 3, 6, or 12 months)
We confirm the price, accept payment, and issue your motorcycle MTPL policy — delivered as a PDF to your WhatsApp, usually within 30 minutes. The policy PDF is exactly what you show at the Turkish border.