[STARTING UP IN TURKEY] Driving a car in Turkey

However, aiming to make the decision for or against driving a bit easier for you, this week Today's Zaman provides you with the most essential facts about cars and driving in Turkey.

To drive your own car, you will naturally need a valid driver's license. You can obtain such a license (sürücü belgesi) by visiting one of the plentiful driving schools (sürücü okulu). There will surely be one located in your neighborhood. To apply to the school you will first need a copy of your passport and a copy of a diploma showing the highest level of education you received, both have to be translated and notarized. Furthermore, you will need a couple of passport photos and -- as a foreigner -- you must also hold a valid residence permit.

At the school, you will attend both theoretical and practical lessons until you are eventually given your successfully completed driving certification (sürücü sertifikası). The theoretical test can only be taken in Turkish, due to the fact that the tests are standardized. However, with some luck you will find an English-speaking driving instructor for the practical lessons.

This certification still needs to be turned into an official license; therefore you have to apply to one of the Turkish Ministry of Transportation's municipal sub-branches, a Traffic Directorate (Trafik Müdürlüğü). In addition to the original copy of your driving certification, you will need your passport (original and one copy, notarized by a Turkish notary public), your residence permit, a health report (available for a fee of around TL 30 at any public hospital), a criminal background check (usually issued by the Turkish authorities at a cost of TL 5), a driving history check (available for TL 5 from the Traffic Directorate), receipts from your driving course and exam fees, as well as four passport photos. Upon delivery of all these forms and an additional fee of TL 40 you will finally be issued your well-deserved Turkish driver's license.

But keep in mind that this license may not automatically be valid in your home country. You may eventually need to have it translated and recognized by your home country. Though, many foreigners insist that -- despite all of the struggles with the paperwork -- it is worth obtaining your driver's license in Turkey in terms of cost. Indeed, whereas in some European countries the related costs may range up to some 2,000 euros, with prices of TL 30-40 per lesson and another TL 100 for the exams, costs in Turkey, despite varying, are comparatively low.

If you already obtained a license in another country, do not forget to validate it before you start driving on Turkish streets. To validate your license you must apply to your municipality or city's Traffic Directorate. First, you will usually be asked to submit your driver's license and passport, both translated and notarized. Second, you will be informed about additional necessary papers, which usually include your residence permit, a your criminal background check and driving record, a health test, passport photos and the usual fee of TL 40.

Another way to solve the whole matter would be to get an International Driving Permit through your home country's automobile association. To use this international license in Turkey, however, you can only have the official status of “tourist” and its usage will be further restricted to a maximum one-year duration.

Anyway, let us assume you have finally successfully completed the bureaucratic driver's license marathon. Well then, which car to drive? Sure, you have the possibility of renting a car or using a Turkish friend's vehicle -- if this is OK with both you and your friend and your respective insurance policies. Owning your own car is a bit more complicated, and the main question hinges on a choice: Do you import your own motored “darling” from abroad or do you buy a new one in Turkey?

Importing a car to Turkey

Importing cars is possible, though difficult, in Turkey and first of all requires a wealth of paperwork. We will mention the most important guidelines and regulations below. Keep in mind that violating any of these regulations may lead to high fines. For this reason, it is always a good idea to contact the Turkish authorities directly and ask for advice regarding detailed legal regulations, specifics and exceptions. The best information source in this regard is probably the Turkish Automobile and Touring Club (TTOK), which is also responsible for most of the procedures related to importing a car to Turkey. It can be reached at www.turing.org.tr. Its Web site is also available in English.

Generally, the car's ownership must be proven by documentation. Furthermore, an insurance policy (the so-called “Green Card”) that is valid in Turkey and fully covers the car and driver for the duration of their stay in Turkey must be obtained. Upon delivery of these documents, a temporary entrance card is given by the customs authorities. Remember, all documents must be translated into Turkish and made official either by your home country's Turkish embassy or consulate or by a Turkish notary public. They are then to be presented to customs officials at the border when entering Turkey with the car.

Moreover, vehicles are allowed to stay inside the country for a maximum of six months within any 12-month period. That means after a term of exactly 180 days the vehicle must leave the country for at least six months before being brought into Turkey again. But keep in mind that this trick can be used only twice. You cannot bring the vehicle in for a third six-month period. In addition, the imported car cannot be sold, lent or rented to anyone else in Turkey and only officially registered persons (limited by law to the owner and his immediate family members) are allowed to drive it.

In the end, however, you may decide to purchase your car in Turkey. Still, there are some regulations, but it is definitely possible to overcome them. Thus, a vehicle owned by a foreign individual should be registered through the Turkish Traffic Directorate to be given a Turkish license plate number. These cars are often given plate numbers that include the letters MA to MZ. Unfortunately, the usage of the car will again be limited to the owner and -- upon official application to the authorities -- to immediate family members, such as their spouse and children.

Last but not least, you will need to be insured, and you will have to pay your taxes. Both are absolutely compulsory in Turkey. Insurance for foreign plated cars is purchased from the TTOK in the form of a Green Card, as mentioned above. Fees range up to approximately 100 euros per month or a reduced 420 euros for six months. For a Turkish plated car, you may purchase a policy at any insurance company that meets your needs and interests. And if you want to inform yourself in advance about increasing costs of taxes, the online newspaper the Bodrum Bulletin (www.bodrumbulletin.com) has a tax calculator.

İyi yolculuklar! Have a good trip!