Turkey
Drives on the right · TRY · Emergency 112Speed limits
Urban
50 km/h
Rural / outside built-up areas
90 km/h
Motorway
120 km/h
Alcohol limits
General limit
0.5‰
Novice drivers
Same as general limit
Mandatory equipment
- •Warning triangle
- •First aid kit
- •Fire extinguisher
Winter tires & snow chains
In many provinces, winter tires are required by local regulation during winter months (dates vary by province, commonly around December to April) — check current rules for the specific region you're driving through.
Tolls
System
Toll booths
Motorways ("otoyol") and some bridges charge tolls, collected electronically via an HGS tag (no cash booths on most routes) — rental cars usually come with a tag pre-fitted and the cost billed afterward, but confirm with your rental company.
More things to know before you drive
Seatbelts
Mandatory front and rear for all occupants.
Mobile phone use
Hands-free only; holding a phone while driving is prohibited.
Child seats
Children under 150 cm must use an approved child restraint suited to their size.
Headlights
Dipped headlights are required outside built-up areas at all times, day and night.
Low-emission & restricted zones
No nationwide low-emission zone network; Istanbul has some traffic and access restrictions in parts of the historic center.
Right of way & roundabouts
Priority to the right at unmarked intersections; roundabouts give way to traffic already circulating. Driving culture and lane discipline can differ noticeably from Western Europe — stay alert, especially in cities.
Parking
Paid parking zones are common in cities, typically via meter, attendant, or app.
Speed cameras
Fixed and mobile cameras are widely used, including on major motorways.
Good to know
Transcontinental — part of the country is in Europe, part in Asia, connected by bridges and a tunnel across the Bosphorus. Currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Electronic tolls (HGS) apply automatically; make sure your rental company has this set up before you drive.