6 rules to know when driving a campervan in Türkiye on a foreign licence

Foreigners visiting Türkiye as tourists can drive for 6 months from their date of entry with a valid licence issued in their own country. That's enough to hire a campervan or tour in your own. Beyond that, Türkiye's speed and alcohol limits, how fines are paid and road checks differ from Europe in a few ways.

The rules below are correct as of writing (November 2026). Traffic legislation has changed often recently; for the current version see the General Directorate of Security and the Legislation Information System. We covered licence categories, HGS and waste water in our post on campervanning on Turkish roads, so we don't repeat them here.

Licence and hire

1. Your foreign licence is valid for 6 months

Under the Highway Traffic Regulation, foreign nationals may drive in Türkiye on licences issued by other countries for 6 months from their date of entry. If you stay longer or get a residence permit, you need to exchange your licence for a Turkish one.

• For special cases, such as whether the period restarts with each entry or how it's counted if you have a residence permit, ask the police or the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
• The category on your licence is assessed against its Turkish equivalent. A category B licence is not enough for a motorhome over 3,500 kg maximum laden weight.

2. An International Driving Permit is sometimes required, always useful

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a multilingual translation of your licence. It isn't valid on its own; carry it together with your actual licence.

• Carry an IDP if your licence isn't written in the Latin alphabet.
• Even with a Latin-alphabet EU licence, it speeds things up at road checks and at the rental desk. Some hire companies require an IDP.
• You must get the IDP in the country that issued your licence, before you travel. It can't be obtained in Türkiye.

3. What you need to hire a campervan

Requirements vary between companies. Commonly asked for:

1. Passport.
2. A valid driving licence and, if needed, an IDP.
3. A minimum age and number of years holding a licence. Companies set different limits, so ask before booking.
4. A credit card in the driver's name for the deposit. Debit cards aren't accepted everywhere.
5. Documents for any additional driver.

When collecting the vehicle, check that the registration document, insurance policy, HGS tag and mandatory equipment (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle) are in the vehicle. For handover steps see our first campervan trip checklist.

On the road: speed, alcohol and checks

4. Speed limits

Maximum speeds (km/h) under Article 100 of the Highway Traffic Regulation:

Under the regulation, the maximum speed for a vehicle towing a trailer is 10 km/h below the limit for the same type of vehicle without one. The last row of the table applies this to a car.

Points that matter for campervanners:

• Which row does a motorhome fall into? It depends on the vehicle type on the registration document. Ask the hire company which class your vehicle is in.
• Signs take precedence. The Ministry of the Interior can raise limits for cars on specific roads. On some motorways you'll see signs of 130 or 140 km/h for cars. This increase may not apply to a car towing a caravan or to a vehicle in the light van class.
• Built-up area: 50 km/h starts as soon as you see the sign, even on wide roads leading out of town.

5. Alcohol limit: zero is safest

As of writing, the legal limit is 0.50 per mille for private car drivers and 0.20 per mille for drivers of other vehicles. Which group your motorhome falls into depends on its registration, and a bill to lower these limits is on the agenda. Penalties for drink-driving were made tougher in 2026. Our practical advice: if you're driving, don't drink at all. Raise a glass after you've arrived at the campsite in the evening.

6. Radar, gendarmerie checks and traffic fines

Checks. In towns traffic police carry out checks; outside towns it's mostly the gendarmerie. If you're stopped at the roadside, turn off the engine and have these ready: passport, driving licence (and IDP), vehicle registration, insurance policy, the rental contract for a hired vehicle, and the customs record for a foreign-registered vehicle. For entering with a foreign-registered vehicle see this post.

Radar. Fixed speed cameras, mobile radar and average speed control zones that measure your average speed between two points are common. Slowing down briefly in an average speed zone won't help; your average is calculated.

Paying fines. Administrative traffic fines can be paid at tax offices, PTT and partner banks. Fines paid within 15 days of notification get a one-quarter discount. Fines incurred in a hired vehicle usually go to the company, which passes them on to you. Before leaving Türkiye, ask whether you have any unpaid fines.

Accidents and emergencies. The emergency number is 112. In an accident without injuries, if both parties agree, an accident report form can be filled in. With a foreign-registered vehicle or if there's a disagreement, call the police or gendarmerie. In a hired vehicle, call the company first.

At the end of a long drive, a level pitch and an electric hook-up are welcome. On Teknokamp you can pick a pitch on the map and book at some campsites along your route, such as Minta Karavan & Kamp Alanı near Antalya or İzmir Ayaz Karavan Park in İzmir.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive a campervan in Türkiye on my EU licence?

Yes, for 6 months from entry. Your licence category must match the vehicle's weight.

Is an International Driving Permit compulsory?

Carry one if your licence isn't in the Latin alphabet. Otherwise check the hire company's requirements; having one with you makes things easier anyway.

How fast can I drive on the motorway towing a caravan?

10 km/h below the limit for the same type of vehicle without a trailer. For a car, with the regulation's 120 km/h limit, that's 110 km/h. Higher car limits shown on signs may not apply when towing a caravan.

How do I pay a traffic fine?

At a tax office, PTT or a partner bank. If you pay within 15 days, there's a one-quarter discount.

Sources

• Highway Traffic Regulation, Legislation Information System
• Highway Traffic Law (2918), Legislation Information System
• General Directorate of Security, Traffic Department
• Foreign driving licences, General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs
• Misdemeanours Law (5326), early payment discount, Legislation Information System
• Traffic fines amendment passed by parliament, NTV
• Lowering the alcohol limit on the agenda, Gazete Oksijen

Image credits

Photos illustrate the region; they are not photos of the campsites themselves.

• Kleopatra Plajı, Alanya: Julian Lupyan, CC0, Wikimedia Commons