Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Türkiye

Step-by-Step

1. 1

   Confirm Which Exchange Pathway Fits Your Licence

   1. Bilateral reciprocity covers three named partners only — Spain, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, and Tunisia.
   2. Vienna 1968 Convention covers approximately 80 signatory states; verify by checking the NVİ-published Convention roster.
   3. 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. 2

   Secure Residence Permit and Driver Health Report

   1. Foreign nationals must hold a valid ikamet izni at the time of application — there is no minimum duration of residence.
   2. Obtain a sürücü olur raporu from an authorised aile sağlığı merkezi, devlet hastanesi, or accredited özel hastane.
   3. The health report must be valid (not expired) at the date of submission.

   ⚠️ Watch out: 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. 3

   Prepare Translation and Supporting Documents

   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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. 4

   Book an Appointment

   1. Open randevu.nvi.gov.tr and select Sürücü Belgesi İşlemleri at the chosen nüfus müdürlüğü, or call Alo 199 for telephone booking.
   2. Choose any nüfus müdürlüğü in Türkiye — service is not tied to your registered address.
   3. Proxy bookings on behalf of the applicant are not accepted; the applicant must attend in person.

   ⚠️ Watch out: 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. 5

   Pay the Statutory Fees

   1. Pay the harç (treasury fee) tied to the Turkish licence class to be issued.
   2. 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.
   3. Pay the vakıf payı (foundation share) at the published rate; verify the current figure on the NVİ Edirne provincial fee-schedule page before payment.
   4. 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. 6

   Attend the Appointment and Submit Documents

   1. (Applicant) Attend the booked nüfus müdürlüğü appointment with the original foreign licence, its notarised Turkish translation, the document set, and the fee receipts.
   2. (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.
   3. (NVİ officer) Issues a geçici belge (temporary document) on the day of submission, which permits driving while the production card is being personalised.

   ⚠️ Watch out: Missing notarised translation or an expired ikamet izni results in rejection at intake. Confirm both are in order before travelling to the appointment.

7. 7

   Receive the Turkish Licence

   1. 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.
   2. The geçici belge remains valid until the production card is received.
   3. 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. 8

   Examination Route — for Non-Treaty Origins

   1. (Applicant) Enrol at a Motorlu Taşıt Sürücüleri Kursu authorised by the Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı.
   2. (Applicant) Complete the prescribed theoretical instruction and any required practical hours.
   3. (Applicant) Pass the teorik sınav (multiple-choice theoretical examination) governed by the MEB Özel Motorlu Taşıt Sürücüleri Kursu Yönetmeliği.
   4. (Applicant) Pass the direksiyon sınavı (practical in-traffic examination).
   5. (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.

   ⚠️ Watch out: 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.