--- title: Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Türkiye country: turkey service: "foreign-driving-licence-exchange-bilateral-vienna-convention" category: transportation difficulty: complex estimated_time: "1-2 weeks (in-person submission to PTT delivery); examination route 2-4 months" cost_range: "₺4.354,90 – ₺13.386,20" last_verified: 2026-05-25 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/turkey/foreign-driving-licence-exchange-bilateral-vienna-convention/ status: current confidence: low tags: - driving - transportation - licence - exchange - nvi - "vienna-convention" - bilateral sources: - https://www.nvi.gov.tr/sss-surucu-belgeleri-hizmetleri - https://www.nvi.gov.tr/surucu-belgelerinin-karsilikli - https://nvi.gov.tr/edirne/2026-yili-harc-ve-hizmet-bedelleri - https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2020/06/20200605-4.htm - https://nvi.gov.tr/bursa/surucu-belgesi-islemlerine-dair-uygulama-talimati - https://www.mfa.gov.tr/yurtdisinda-yasayan-vatandaslarimizin_-ulkemize-izine-geldiklerinde-yararlanabilecekleri-trafik-kural-ve-bilgileri-.tr.mfa --- # Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Türkiye **Country:** 🇹🇷 Turkey **Last verified:** 2026-05-25 **Estimated time:** 1-2 weeks (in-person submission to PTT delivery); examination route 2-4 months **Cost:** ₺4.354,90 – ₺13.386,20 ## Required documents - **Original foreign driving licence** *(Sürücü Belgesi)* - Required: Original plus colour photocopy; valid and unexpired - Cost: Free - _Note:_ The original is collected at submission, cancelled, and returned to the issuing country's authorities. Bring the physical card — digital licences are not accepted. - **Notarised or consular-certified Turkish translation of the licence** *(Noter veya konsolosluk onaylı Türkçe tercümesi)* - Where to get: Any Turkish noter, or the consulate of the issuing country in Türkiye - Required: Original notarised translation - Cost: Set by the noter; varies by length and language - _Note:_ NVİ canonical guidance specifies notarised or consular-certified translation. Apostille is not enumerated as a separate requirement, although applicants from non-Hague-Convention origins may need consular legalisation in practice. - **Valid residence permit and passport (foreign nationals)** *(İkamet izni ve pasaport)* - Required: Valid ikamet izni card plus passport biodata page - Cost: Free (already held) - _Note:_ There is no minimum residence duration before eligibility; any valid ikamet izni qualifies. Turkish citizens present T.C. kimlik kartı instead. - **Driver health report** *(Sürücü Sağlık Raporu (*sürücü olur raporu*))* - Where to get: Authorised aile sağlığı merkezi, devlet hastanesi, or accredited özel hastane - Required: Original signed report on the prescribed form - Cost: Set by the issuing facility - _Note:_ Standards are governed by the Sürücü Adayları ve Sürücülerde Aranacak Sağlık Şartları ile Muayenelerine Dair Yönetmelik. Validity periods for higher classes (C/D/E family) are tied to the health-report renewal cycle. - **Biometric photograph** - Required: One ICAO-compliant biometric photo taken within the last 6 months - Cost: Set by the photographer - _Note:_ Available at most stationery shops and dedicated photo studios near nüfus müdürlüğü branches. - **Blood-group documentation** - Required: Either documentary evidence (lab report, hospital record) or signed written declaration - Cost: Free if declared in writing; otherwise lab fee - **Education credentials** - Required: Highest education certificate; foreign credentials require notarised Turkish translation - Cost: Free (already held); translation set by the noter - _Note:_ Verified electronically via the MERNİS national index where the credential is Turkish; foreign credentials follow the notarised-translation route. - **Criminal record clearance** *(Adli sicil)* - Required: Adli sicil check - Cost: Free - _Note:_ Verified electronically by NVİ against the Adalet Bakanlığı national index at the time of application — no paper certificate is normally required. - **Fee receipts** - Required: Proof of payment for harç, değerli kâğıt bedeli, and vakıf payı - Cost: Per class — see Costs section - _Note:_ Paid prior to or at submission. Payment channels vary by branch; many nüfus müdürlüğü accept card payment on site. ## Costs - **Total — Class A family (A, A1, A2, F, H, and disabled-driver A):** 4354.9 TRY — Combines harç ₺2.239,90 + değerli kâğıt bedeli ₺1.690,00 + vakıf payı ₺425,00 per the 2026 NVİ Edirne provincial schedule. - **Total — Class B (and disabled-driver B):** 8869.6 TRY — Combines harç ₺6.754,60 + değerli kâğıt bedeli ₺1.690,00 + vakıf payı ₺425,00 per the 2026 NVİ Edirne provincial schedule. - **Total — Classes B1, BE, C, C1, C1E, CE, D, D1, D1E, DE, G, M:** 13386.2 TRY — Combines harç ₺11.271,20 + değerli kâğıt bedeli ₺1.690,00 + vakıf payı ₺425,00 per the 2026 NVİ Edirne provincial schedule. - **Renewal only (no class change):** 2115 TRY — Card cost ₺1.690,00 + foundation share ₺425,00 — no statutory harç applies on simple renewal. - **Notarised translation of the foreign licence:** 0 TRY — Set by the noter and varies by language; obtain before the appointment. - **Driver health report (sürücü olur raporu):** 0 TRY — Set by the issuing aile sağlığı merkezi, devlet hastanesi, or özel hastane. - **Examination route — theoretical and practical tests (non-treaty origins) (optional):** 0 TRY — waived if Licence issued by a Convention or bilateral-reciprocity country — Driving-school course fees and examination fees are set by each Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı-authorised school; ask for a written quotation before enrolling. ## Steps ### 1. Confirm Which Exchange Pathway Fits Your Licence - Bilateral reciprocity covers three named partners only — Spain, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, and Tunisia. - Vienna 1968 Convention covers approximately 80 signatory states; verify by checking the NVİ-published Convention roster. - If neither bilateral nor Convention coverage applies, the examination route is mandatory. > **Tip:** The NVİ pages surucu-belgelerinin-karsilikli (bilateral) and ulkemizin-taraf-oldugu-sozlesmelere-uye-ulkeler (Convention) are the canonical references. Do not rely on third-party country lists. ### 2. Secure Residence Permit and Driver Health Report - Foreign nationals must hold a valid ikamet izni at the time of application — there is no minimum duration of residence. - Obtain a sürücü olur raporu from an authorised aile sağlığı merkezi, devlet hastanesi, or accredited özel hastane. - The health report must be valid (not expired) at the date of submission. > **If this fails:** Health reports issued by non-authorised facilities are rejected at intake. Confirm the facility is listed under the Sürücü Adayları ve Sürücülerde Aranacak Sağlık Şartları ile Muayenelerine Dair Yönetmelik before paying. ### 3. Prepare Translation and Supporting Documents - Obtain a notarised Turkish translation of the foreign licence from any noter, or a consular-certified translation from the issuing country's consulate in Türkiye. - Assemble the document set: passport, valid ikamet izni, ICAO-compliant biometric photograph, blood-group evidence (or written declaration), education credentials (with notarised Turkish translation if foreign), and the receipts once fees are paid. - Adli sicil clearance is verified electronically against the Adalet Bakanlığı index — no paper certificate is normally needed. > **Tip:** Translations and notarisation often take longer than the appointment lead time; complete this step first. ### 4. Book an Appointment - Open randevu.nvi.gov.tr and select Sürücü Belgesi İşlemleri at the chosen nüfus müdürlüğü, or call Alo 199 for telephone booking. - Choose any nüfus müdürlüğü in Türkiye — service is not tied to your registered address. - Proxy bookings on behalf of the applicant are not accepted; the applicant must attend in person. > **If this fails:** Same-day slots are rarely available in metropolitan branches; if no slots are open, widen the search to neighbouring districts or call Alo 199 to confirm earliest availability. ### 5. Pay the Statutory Fees - Pay the harç (treasury fee) tied to the Turkish licence class to be issued. - Pay the değerli kâğıt bedeli (card cost) at the published rate; verify the current figure on the NVİ Edirne provincial fee-schedule page before payment. - Pay the vakıf payı (foundation share) at the published rate; verify the current figure on the NVİ Edirne provincial fee-schedule page before payment. - Keep the receipts — they are checked at submission. > **Tip:** Per the NVİ Edirne provincial 2026 schedule, the class B total is ₺8.869,60: 'B sınıfı yabancı sürücü belgesi değişimi için 2026 yılı toplam ücret ₺8.869,60'tır.' The motorcycle (A-family) total is ₺4.354,90 and the heavy-vehicle (C/D/E) total is ₺13.386,20 — confirm the current schedule at your provincial nüfus müdürlüğü before payment. ### 6. Attend the Appointment and Submit Documents - (Applicant) Attend the booked nüfus müdürlüğü appointment with the original foreign licence, its notarised Turkish translation, the document set, and the fee receipts. - (NVİ officer) Collects the original foreign licence, verifies the documents, and evaluates the application against the karşılıklılık tablosu to determine the Turkish class to be issued. - (NVİ officer) Issues a geçici belge (temporary document) on the day of submission, which permits driving while the production card is being personalised. > **If this fails:** Missing notarised translation or an expired ikamet izni results in rejection at intake. Confirm both are in order before travelling to the appointment. ### 7. Receive the Turkish Licence - The Turkish licence is produced at the central personalisation centre and delivered by PTT to the address registered in MERNİS within 1 to 2 weeks. - The geçici belge remains valid until the production card is received. - NVİ cancels the original foreign licence and returns it to the issuing country's authorities. > **Tip:** If the PTT delivery does not arrive within 2 weeks, track via the PTT consignment lookup or return to the issuing nüfus müdürlüğü with the geçici belge to enquire on the production status. ### 8. Examination Route — for Non-Treaty Origins - (Applicant) Enrol at a Motorlu Taşıt Sürücüleri Kursu authorised by the Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı. - (Applicant) Complete the prescribed theoretical instruction and any required practical hours. - (Applicant) Pass the teorik sınav (multiple-choice theoretical examination) governed by the MEB Özel Motorlu Taşıt Sürücüleri Kursu Yönetmeliği. - (Applicant) Pass the direksiyon sınavı (practical in-traffic examination). - (NVİ officer) Issues the Turkish licence on submission of the application bundle plus examination success documentation; the original foreign licence is not collected on this route. > **If this fails:** Driving-school course and examination fees are not published centrally; obtain a written quotation from at least two authorised schools before enrolling, and confirm scheduling availability for the practical test. ## FAQ ### How long can I drive in Türkiye on my foreign licence? Foreign nationals may drive on the foreign licence for 6 months from entry into Türkiye; after that the licence is no longer accepted and an exchange (or a new Turkish licence via examination) is required. Turkish citizens and Mavi Kart holders have a longer 2-year window, which was extended from one year by the 5 June 2020 amendment to the Karayolları Trafik Yönetmeliği. The 6-month figure for foreigners is confirmed by NVİ FAQ and Dışişleri Bakanlığı guidance. ### Which countries qualify for exchange without an examination? Two distinct routes apply. Bilateral reciprocity is named in three state-to-state agreements with Spain, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, and Tunisia. Separately, signatories to the Vienna 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (approximately 80 states; the canonical roster is published as a PDF by NVİ) qualify on the Convention basis. The brief figure of around 80 bilateral countries conflates the two routes — NVİ lists three bilateral partners only. ### Can I exchange my foreign licence online through e-Devlet? No. The e-Devlet portal lists only enquiry services such as Motorlu Taşıt Sürücü Sertifikası Sorgulama and does not offer the substantive exchange. Appointment booking is online through randevu.nvi.gov.tr, but the application itself must be filed in person at a nüfus müdürlüğü. Proxy applications are not permitted. ### Is apostille required on the translation of my foreign licence? NVİ canonical guidance specifies notarised or consular-certified Turkish translation only; apostille is not enumerated as a mandatory step. Practice with non-Hague-Convention origin countries may still involve consular legalisation in lieu, so confirm with the receiving nüfus müdürlüğü or your home-country consulate in Türkiye before paying for additional certifications. ### What happens to the original foreign licence? The original is collected at submission, retained while the Turkish licence is produced, and after issuance is cancelled and returned by NVİ to the authority that issued it in the country of origin. Plan accordingly if you expect to travel back before the Turkish card is delivered — a temporary document (geçici belge) is issued at the nüfus müdürlüğü on the day of submission to bridge the gap. ### How are the licence classes mapped? Since 1 January 2016 Türkiye has issued licences aligned to EU Directive 2006/126/EC: M, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, F, and G. The pre-2016 alphabetical classes are no longer issued, and holders of the old type may exchange to the new type at the same fee. The mapping from a foreign licence to a Turkish class follows the NVİ karşılıklılık tablosu (reciprocity table); motorcycle classes map to their direct equivalents, and other vehicle classes generally map to B unless the foreign licence explicitly covers higher categories. ### How long is the Turkish licence valid? Classes M, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, F, and G are issued for 10 years initial validity. Classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE are issued for 5 years, tied to the renewal cycle for the driver health report. Renewal at expiry is filed at the nüfus müdürlüğü and carries the renewal-only fee (no statutory harç). ### What is the route if my country is not covered by either a bilateral agreement or the Convention? Applicants must obtain a Turkish licence as a first-time candidate. The route is to enrol at a Motorlu Taşıt Sürücüleri Kursu authorised by the Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı, complete the prescribed instruction, pass the teorik sınav (multiple-choice theoretical examination) and the direksiyon sınavı (practical in-traffic test), and submit the application bundle at the nüfus müdürlüğü with examination success documentation. Unlike the exchange route, the original foreign licence is not collected on this path. ## Sources - [Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (NVİ) — Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs](https://www.nvi.gov.tr/sss-surucu-belgeleri-hizmetleri) — accessed 2026-05-25 — _T1_ — NVİ operates the foreign driving licence exchange service at any nüfus müdürlüğü in Türkiye. The foreign licence usage window before mandatory exchange is 2 years for Turkish citizens and Mavi Kart holders and 6 months for foreign nationals from entry into Türkiye. A geçici belge (temporary document) is issued on the day of submission, and the production card is delivered by PTT within 1 to 2 weeks to the address registered in MERNİS. Proxy applications are not permitted. - [Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (NVİ) — bilateral reciprocity register](https://www.nvi.gov.tr/surucu-belgelerinin-karsilikli) — accessed 2026-05-25 — _T1_ — Türkiye holds bilateral driving-licence reciprocity agreements with three named countries: Spain (signed 5 April 2009, implementation from November 2010), Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (KKTC), and Tunisia. Vienna 1968 Convention on Road Traffic signatories qualify for exchange on a separate basis; the Convention member roster is published by NVİ as a downloadable PDF. - [Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (NVİ) — Edirne provincial fee schedule for 2026](https://nvi.gov.tr/edirne/2026-yili-harc-ve-hizmet-bedelleri) — accessed 2026-05-25 — _T1_ — The 2026 driving-licence fee schedule combines harç (treasury fee), değerli kâğıt bedeli (card cost, ₺1.690,00), and vakıf payı (foundation share, ₺425,00). Totals by class: A family (A, A1, A2, F, H) ₺4.354,90; class B ₺8.869,60; classes B1, BE, C, C1, C1E, CE, D, D1, D1E, DE, G, M at ₺13.386,20; renewal only at ₺2.115,00. The schedule applies to foreign-licence exchange at the fee of the Turkish class to be issued; there is no separate exchange-only tariff line. - [Resmî Gazete — 5 June 2020 amendment to the Karayolları Trafik Yönetmeliği](https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2020/06/20200605-4.htm) — accessed 2026-05-25 — _T1_ — The 5 June 2020 amendment to the Karayolları Trafik Yönetmeliği extended the foreign-licence usage window for Turkish citizens and Mavi Kart (Blue Card) holders from 1 year to 2 years. The 6-month window for foreign nationals from entry into Türkiye was retained. - [Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü (NVİ) — implementation directive on driving licence procedures](https://nvi.gov.tr/bursa/surucu-belgesi-islemlerine-dair-uygulama-talimati) — accessed 2026-05-25 — _T1_ — The implementation directive specifies the document set for exchange (notarised or consular-certified Turkish translation of the foreign licence; identity documentation; sürücü olur raporu; biometric photograph; blood-group evidence; education credentials; adli sicil verified electronically; fee receipts). Article 20 routes holders of licences from non-recognised origins to the new-licence path via theoretical and practical examination, treating them as first-time candidates from the procedural standpoint. - [Dışişleri Bakanlığı (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — guidance for Turkish citizens abroad](https://www.mfa.gov.tr/yurtdisinda-yasayan-vatandaslarimizin_-ulkemize-izine-geldiklerinde-yararlanabilecekleri-trafik-kural-ve-bilgileri-.tr.mfa) — accessed 2026-05-25 — _T1_ — From 1 January 2016 Türkiye has issued the new-type sürücü belgesi with categories aligned to EU Directive 2006/126/EC: M, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, F, and G. Classes M, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, F, and G carry 10-year validity; classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE carry 5-year validity tied to the driver health report renewal cycle. --- Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/turkey/foreign-driving-licence-exchange-bilateral-vienna-convention/