Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Other Local Resorts & Areas => Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Inspector on January 07, 2016, 10:36:48 AM

Title: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 07, 2016, 10:36:48 AM
Regulations on driving licence changed on 01.01.2016

Many forum members asking me what to do? Thats why I will try to explain the current regulations.

Regulations in Turkish
The red lines are the translation of article 88 b) section. 
17 Nisan 2015 CUMA   Resmî Gazete   Sayı : 29329
YÖNETMELiK
içişleri Bakanlığından:
KARAYOLLARI TRAFiK YÖNETMELiĞiNDE DEĞiŞiKLiK
YAPILMASINA DAiR YÖNETMELiK

MADDE 15 ‒ Aynı Yönetmeliğin 88 inci maddesi başlığı ile birlikte aşağıdaki şekilde değiştirilmiştir.
“Dış ülkelerden alınan sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemizde araç kullanılması ve bu belgelerin ülkemiz sürücü belgesiyle değiştirilmesi
Madde 88 ‒ ilgili kanunlar ile ikili ve çok taraflı anlaşma hükümleri saklı kalmak üzere, dış ülkelerden alınan sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemizde araç kullanılmasına ilişkin usul ve esaslar aşağıda belirtilmiştir:
a) Türk vatandaşlarının dış ülkelerden aldıkları sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemizde araç kullanmaları;
1) Dış ülkelerden alınan sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemize giriş yapıldığı tarihten itibaren en fazla 1 yıl süreyle araç kullanılabilir.
2) Altı aydan fazla ülkemizde bulunanların, araç kullanırken sürücü belgelerinin dış temsilcilikler veya noter tarafından onaylanmış Türkçe tercümelerini sürücü belgesi ile birlikte yanlarında bulundurmaları zorunludur.
3) Bir yılın sonunda ülkemizde araç kullanılabilmesi için dış ülkelerden alınan sürücü belgelerinin ülkemiz sürücü belgesi ile değiştirilmesi zorunludur.
b) Yabancıların dış ülkelerden aldıkları sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemizde araç kullanmaları;
b) Foreigners driving rules ''Driving licence obtained out of Turkey.''
1) Dış ülkelerden alınan sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemize giriş yapıldığı tarihten itibaren en fazla altı ay süreyle araç kullanılabilir.
1) After the entery date to Turkey,  can drive a car up to six months.
2) Altı ayın sonunda ülkemizde araç kullanılabilmesi için dış ülkelerden alınan sürücü belgelerinin ülkemiz sürücü belgesi ile değiştirilmesi zorunludur.
2) End of the six months, to drive a car in Turkey, they have to change driving licence with Turkish Driving licence
Attention please don't make mistake. Many people read the Article 88  section a) and informing you wrong.
Article 88 a) section is abaut Turkish citizens having driving licence obtained out of Turkey. They can drive up to 1 year but after six months they  have to have translation of driving licence attested by notary.


Whats the penalty If you drive after six months?
After six months your driving lisance is not valid and you will be punished as ''driving without a driving licence''
On Article 36/3a punishment is 1.698 Lira for whom driving a car without a driving licence.

Regards,
Inspector

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 07, 2016, 12:00:01 PM
Its worth bearing in mind that when you apply for a Turkish driving licence you must surrender your current licence.  This is then returned, by the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, to the original issuing authority. 

Not sure what the full ramifications of this are, but according to the DVLA you can only drive in the UK for twelve months on a Turkish licence - you then have to apply for a provisional and sit a driving test.  Maybe there is an exception for someone who has previously held a UK licence but has cancelled it when exchanging for a foreign licence?

Another point is that these new regulations only apply to folks whose licence was issued by a country that has signed up to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic - it looks like the Republic of Ireland aren't.  Not sure how many on here have a ROI driving licence that they'd want to exchange, but if they do a bit of research may be required.


JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 07, 2016, 14:26:04 PM
Yes John,
Turkish authorities will send your British driving licence to orginal issuing authority.
As I know  this doesnt mean your British driving licence is canceled.
Your Licence is keept in your file and If you go back UK you just need to give Turkish driving licence and take yours from the file.
If a Turkish citizen goes to eurepean country and changes his licence. We keep his records and licence in his file.

These are EU regulations. People must have only one Driving licence.

For example; 
You have two driving licence.
If one of them is  taken by police becouse of  alcohol for 6 months. You can go on to drive with the other one in other  countries. :-)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 07, 2016, 14:41:22 PM
Thanks for that - I thought there may have been an exception if you'd already held a UK licence.

JF 
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 07, 2016, 15:06:27 PM
Another important information.

1) After the entry date to Turkey,  can drive a car up to six months.

That means if you don't stay in Turkey more than six months, you dont need to have your licence changed.

For example;
You are  living in Turkey and  every year going to UK  twice once in summer once in winter. Duration of stay in Turkey doesnt exceed 6 months. You dont need to have your driving licence changed.

If your stay in Turkey exceed 6 months please dont drive till your next  entry to Turkey.

Regards.

Inspector (Mustafa)

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kayakebab on January 07, 2016, 15:46:39 PM
So if we've been out of the country in the last 6 months we don't have to change it til we've been here 6 months continuously?
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 07, 2016, 17:10:36 PM
No you don't.  Even then, you only have to change it if you intend to drive in Turkey, after having been resident for over six months.


JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: happy_flyer on January 07, 2016, 22:53:25 PM
Does anyone know how much it is going to cost to change to a turkish licence ?

Seems to me to be another pressure on foreigners for coming here to retire and slowly but surely everything is changing and costing more and the hurdles to get over are being made higher and more difficult to get over just to stay here.
We've been waiting 12 weeks for our residency cards now and have to do this every year !!!!
If something doesn't change we'll be seriously thinking of moving on somewhere else, Turkey is becoming a joke. 
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Scunner on January 07, 2016, 23:18:35 PM
Many people have already surrendered and gone Alan, with lots more either planning it, or will find it necessary in the near future. In a conversation I had with Inspector himself, he made the point that the Government over there seem to be doing all they can to make it easier for citizens of some nations (Arabic mainly) to live in Turkey, while making things harder and harder for Europeans.

It's sad to see - and for Fethiye/Calis too. When we moved there, most places closed in October and reopened on May 1st. We made it possible for these businesses to have an income all year round. Now it will probably revert to the former.

Without trying to open an age old debate again, I am convinced we lived in Turkey during the best years.

Having said all that, we don't know what cost (if any) there will be for the licence, so best not get worked up about that particular issue yet  ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: happy_flyer on January 07, 2016, 23:36:13 PM
Copied from the Kalkan local turkish news . com

http://kalkan.turkishlocalnews.com/portal/kalkan-news/466622-changes-to-turkish-driving-licence-laws-affect-expats


Driving licence charges & fees - prices as at January 2016
Card 128.50 TL
Motorbike/scooter (Class A, A1, A2) 133.70 TL
Car (Class B) 402.90 TL
N.B. The estimated cost for whole process as at January 2016 is as follows:
Car only: 700 TL (or £163 at an exchange rate of 4.3).
Scooter only: 430 TL (or £100 at an exchange rate of 4.3).
When you get your Turkish licence, check it carefully to make sure all the details are correct, including the class of vehicle you can drive.
And that's all there is to it!  Happy driving.
We shall see how close to the truth this will turn out to be .
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Scunner on January 08, 2016, 00:00:04 AM
£43 to change an EU country licence to a UK one.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 08, 2016, 13:56:08 PM
Many people have already surrendered and gone Alan, with lots more either planning it, or will find it necessary in the near future. In a conversation I had with Inspector himself, he made the point that the Government over there seem to be doing all they can to make it easier for citizens of some nations (Arabic mainly) to live in Turkey, while making things harder and harder for Europeans.

So true.  I said this years ago (but not sure anyone really listened) and is just one of the (many) reasons we sold up in Istanbul and Fethiye.

When the government abolished the condition of reciprocity for purchase of land and property in 2012 it opened the flood gates to buyers from the Arab states and beyond.  It's probably not that noticeable in the Fethiye area, but massive investment in property has taken place in Istanbul from these countries.  Heading west on the E5 towards (and past) the airport you can see the new residential buildings springing up on a massive scale.  You look at the "centre" of Istanbul on the European side and it's skyscraper after skyscraper rising up.

You have to ask, given the shaky state of the Turkish economy, where is the money coming for all of this development?  Well, some of it is domestic investment - however a good proportion is coming from countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. 

In my opinion, Turkey has been looking east for several years now and all this bollox we've had recently about accession chapters to the EU being "rushed" through is a complete smokescreen.  Yes Missus Merkel, we'll take the money and kiss the rich, fat hairy arse of the EU - but don't expect us to change our views and policies on human rights, freedom of the press, political & commercial corruption etc.

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 08, 2016, 15:33:34 PM
I am sorry (calis beach forum members),
I just wanted to give  accurate and up to date information.
I feel myself happy when  share my knowladge.
Sometimes I give good news sometimes bad.

This topic nearly 500 times read by members but I get just 3 like click. lol
If I do something wrong please inform me via personal message.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kevin3 on January 08, 2016, 15:52:14 PM

  Hi Inspector
  I thanked you on a previous post and I will thank you again now for taking the time and trouble to give
  CBF members accurate advice and helpful information free of charge. It's very kind of you.
  A lot of members don't bother with the LIKE button so don't be upset by it. I'm sure they appreciate your kindness.
  Thank you.       :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 08, 2016, 15:59:44 PM
Thanks Kevin, 
I am not upset.
I'm just joking.
:-)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kevin3 on January 08, 2016, 16:25:46 PM

  Then scroll further down for the Jokes section.!!       ;)  ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Scunner on January 08, 2016, 17:51:15 PM

This topic nearly 500 times read by members but I get just 3 like click. lol


That's nothing, my first post in this topic hasn't had a single like!!! One important thing is that many of the views here come from guests (non-members) and they can't like a post.

Keep it coming Mustafa - we aren't a website for just good news.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: happy_flyer on January 08, 2016, 20:40:04 PM
On the subject of good news , We actually went to the PTT in Fethiye today and ............................ collected our long waited for residency cards. lol
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Stuart T on January 08, 2016, 21:45:26 PM
A Devonian arm around your shoulder, Scunner. 

Inspector - a beacon of light.

It's taken a while but beginning to sort the wheat from the chaff.

(neck still wound in).
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kayakebab on January 08, 2016, 22:46:42 PM
seen 2 people on FB tonight that say this is the last straw and time to leave Turkey.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kayakebab on January 08, 2016, 22:46:55 PM
seen 2 people on FB tonight that say this is the last straw and time to leave Turkey.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Highlander on January 08, 2016, 22:49:28 PM
Is that one post for each.

Sorry, couldn't resist   ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 08, 2016, 23:12:37 PM
This topic nearly 500 times read by members but I get just 3 like click. lol
If I do something wrong please inform me via personal message.

If it helps, next time I'm in Fethiye I'll buy you a beer (or ayran) or two as a thank you for the concise and accurate information you post.

Thats gotta be worth more than a few internet forum "likes"  :)

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 08, 2016, 23:20:13 PM
seen 2 people on FB tonight that say this is the last straw and time to leave Turkey.

That, I would suggest, is a) an over reaction or b) someone looking for attention or c) a combination of a) and b).

The new driving licence rules are not really that much of a big deal in the grand scheme of things.  For as long as I can remember we've (foreigners) been shelling out various amounts of lira to fund the gargantuan beast that is Turkish bureaucracy - it's part and parcel of living in Turkey and if it effs you off so much, then maybe an EU country is more your bag, so to speak.

(is it obvious I've got over my hump with TR and come out of retirement to sign another contract in Istanbul?)

 :)

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kayakebab on January 09, 2016, 06:23:51 AM
It would take a lot more than that to make me leave.
I guess it's a mix of winter blues, post Christmas etc and then all the bill increases, for some that's enough.
I'm not overly happy about the licence thing, but rules is rules and it's not just a Turkish thing, but a wider issue.
Some people are talking in terms of it costing 1000tl, will be interesting to see if that's an overreaction and how much it really can be done for.
I'm guessing the hospitals will cotton on to the medical test costs, like they did when we joined SGK though!

Good luck with the new contract  :)

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Diverbaz 1 on January 09, 2016, 07:53:14 AM


Well it has actually been the law for years, just that now another country (UK) has asked for the implementation. Anybody thinking of moving to live in another country will probably find they have to do the same now. Glad I got my Turkish license 6 years ago, when I couldn't legally renew my UK license.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: DonM on January 09, 2016, 14:23:50 PM
I wonder if after exchanging your UK licence for a Turkish one how would you make out if you paid a visit to the UK and wanted to hire a car.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: George Warner on January 09, 2016, 15:09:29 PM
Don,
  No problem using a Turkish license,I've used mine many times with different hire companies.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 09, 2016, 15:13:35 PM
I wonder if after exchanging your UK licence for a Turkish one how would you make out if you paid a visit to the UK and wanted to hire a car.

It wouldn't be a problem. Thousands of foreign licence holders hire cars in the UK everyday.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: DonM on January 09, 2016, 15:31:18 PM
I was thinking UK citizen UK licence.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 09, 2016, 15:34:03 PM
I was thinking UK citizen UK licence.

That was in the 'Good Ol' Days' Don .  ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 09, 2016, 19:30:35 PM
Hi Inspector my husband has heard Turkey are in the process of changing all Turkish Licences so they can be used in EU countries. Is this correct?
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 09, 2016, 21:32:41 PM
Turkish licences can currently be used in the EU.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Hamlet on January 10, 2016, 06:44:26 AM
Copied from the Kalkan local turkish news . com

http://kalkan.turkishlocalnews.com/portal/kalkan-news/466622-changes-to-turkish-driving-licence-laws-affect-expats


Driving licence charges & fees - prices as at January 2016
Card 128.50 TL
Motorbike/scooter (Class A, A1, A2) 133.70 TL
Car (Class B) 402.90 TL
N.B. The estimated cost for whole process as at January 2016 is as follows:
Car only: 700 TL (or £163 at an exchange rate of 4.3).
Scooter only: 430 TL (or £100 at an exchange rate of 4.3).
When you get your Turkish licence, check it carefully to make sure all the details are correct, including the class of vehicle you can drive.
And that's all there is to it!  Happy driving.
We shall see how close to the truth this will turn out to be .

In addition to this, if you already have a Turkish driving licence, you need to exchange it for the new EU style licence by 2020 at a current cost of 15tl.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Hamlet on January 10, 2016, 07:04:50 AM


Well it has actually been the law for years, just that now another country (UK) has asked for the implementation. Anybody thinking of moving to live in another country will probably find they have to do the same now.

This is very true, in fact in some countries, even if you hold a full UK licence, you cannot simply exchange it for one of that country, you have to take a driving competency test to obtain a driving licence in that country.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 10, 2016, 09:53:15 AM
One of the ways to avoid handing over what is the single most useful means of identification is presumably to take the Turkish Driving Test.

Any other information on what that involves Inspector?
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 10, 2016, 14:17:18 PM
I don't think I explained my question correctly. My husband is Turkish and used his Turkish Licence for 12 months in UK then applied for provisional which he has. But he read on a forum that if you have a full Turkish Licence already then Turkey is in the process of renewing everyone's licence so you are able to use in EU countries. Is this correct? Some sort of new agreement coming in?
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 10, 2016, 14:26:23 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 10, 2016, 15:05:11 PM
Any idea when this is happening KKOB? My husband is undecided as to whether he should apply for full English licence or wait. Waste of money if he can use his Turkish Licence permanently in the future.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 10, 2016, 17:17:23 PM
Hello Rana,
New turkish driving licence will not change anyting. Its just to have EU standarts.
High quality and high security on new cards.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 10, 2016, 17:33:17 PM
So he can't actually use it in UK without taking a UK driving test?
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 10, 2016, 17:41:02 PM
If he's got a full Turkish licence he can. However, by law, he should change his Turkish licence to a UK one after 12 months residency in the UK. The chances of anyone checking though are very slim.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 10, 2016, 17:43:05 PM
Yes he has KKOB so that's great news  :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Scunner on January 10, 2016, 17:43:55 PM
Visitors can drive in the UK on a Turkish passport - for up to 12 months from arrival date.

Residents can drive in Great Britain on your full, valid driving licence for 12 months from when you became resident

After 12 months you’ll need to apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical driving tests to drive in Great Britain.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 10, 2016, 17:48:50 PM
Yes Scunner he has a full Turkish licence and also provisional UK licence and been driving here for 5 years. He also has dual Citizenship but when we enquired about him taking a UK driving test to upgrade his licence they said he would need lessons first he can't just apply for a driving test. More money making schemes.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Scunner on January 10, 2016, 17:50:13 PM
Looks like he'll need to take the full two part UK test either way.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 10, 2016, 18:41:16 PM
Well, if he's been there 5 years he's well and truly over the 12 month limit.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Rana on January 10, 2016, 22:48:59 PM
He uses his provisional licence KKOB with me in the car. We have insurance for us both.   ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 11, 2016, 05:32:59 AM
Here is another answer on www.gov.uk
Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence
Start again
1Are you:
a resident of Great Britain?
Change this answer
2What kind of driving licence do you have?
Full car and/or motorcycle
Change this answer
3Where did you pass your test?
European Union or European Economic Area
Change this answer
You can drive in Great Britain on your full, valid driving licence until you’re 70, or for 3 years after becoming resident in Great Britain, whichever is longer
You can drive in Great Britain for only 12 months if you got your EU licence by exchanging your non-EU licence
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 11, 2016, 11:54:34 AM
If you get your driving licence from an EU country you can drive up to 3 years in UK

If you get it from non EU country. You can drive up to 1 year in UK

If you change your driving licence from ''an EU country or from a country which has intenational agreement act about driving licence''  No need driving course and exams. Just translations, photo, health report and paying tax is enough.

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 11, 2016, 12:44:05 PM
One of the ways to avoid handing over what is the single most useful means of identification is presumably to take the Turkish Driving Test.

Any other information on what that involves Inspector?
Hello Nikola,
Getting Driving licence has a higher cost than changing it. Courses, exams, taxes..... more than  3000 Lira
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 13, 2016, 18:28:32 PM
Thanks for your reply Inspector.

Today we made the journey into Fethiye to do what I've been meaning to do for months now.

First stop the new Police Station on the Antalya road coming from the main Otogar, through security and the Traffic Police are in Block C and the office is on the right just past the entrance. You go to the counter on the right. What they will do is give you a form that lists everything you need to do and supply. It's in Turkish so to save whoever follows in my footsteps that first trip to the station, below is the list in English, with running commentary in the order that it is listed on the form.

1. One colour copy of your resident permit - both sides.

2. One colour copy of your passport.

*none of the offices opposite the Police station have a colour copier so scan and print your own or the nearest place we spotted was on the right just past the traffic lights by the Tuesday market at a stationer's shop. Colour copier upstairs.

3. Notarised translation of your Driving License. Now it does say full details by which I took to mean listing your eligible categories, which generally it would seem previously notarised translations didn't always extend too. But, it does look like they will accept my previously notarised translation which fits into the not full details category.

4. 3 biometric photos that are required to be a larger size than passport photos. There are a couple of places across the road from the Police Station that will do these, just make sure they know it is for a drivers license so they do the right size.

5. Health report with an attached photo stamped and signed from your family or local street clinic. We took the opportunity to finally register at the free government clinic next to the PTT in Hisaronu. The health report is free and includes taking an eye sight test of both letters and numbers.

6. Blood group card which you can get at your local clinic or any hospital. I just photocopied mine that I always carry on me that I got from Enaf in 2004 and just provided that. If you don't photocopy it they will want the card instead. This information does go on your Turkish Drivers License something I always thought was a good idea.

7. Criminal record. This is obtained from the law court. Literally enter the building. Turn right and there is a glass hatch in the wall with a man sat on the other side. Give him your permit and passport and he will ask for your parents first names (in writing on a scrap of paper for us with our strange yabancı names), and a few seconds later he will print out, initial and stamp your criminal record sheet and hand it over to you.

8. Pay at the tax office for the categories you will have on your licence. Combined cost for both below was 536.80TL. See 11 below.

Category A1 + A2 is motorbike and electric scooter

Category B is car

9. Your finger prints will be taken at the station at the end of the process.

10. Red backed plastic folder with a clear front cover - 50 kuruş at stationers.

11. Also at the tax office and at the same time as 8 above - pay 108.50 tax.

* At the tax office go to the third floor (ground floor is first floor in this case), turn left and go to the end of the counter with two women sitting there on the right turn of the counter. They want to know what categories and will want to see your resident permit. They will give you something to take to the person sitting almost directly but just to the right of the stairs on the floor below, the second floor. This is where you make payment and get your receipts for the tax and the categories you are having on your license.

12. Pay 20tl to the Turkish Police Federation which you do at Vakıf bank in Fethiye. You need the receipt stamped and initialed.

13. N/A

14. Nufus address from the Kaymakamlık building in Fethiye. When you enter walk almost to the end and through a glass partition and give your resident permit to one of the people on the left and she will print off your official Nufus address. This needs to be initialled and stamped by someone in a nearby office on the left.

Then with all of this you go back to the Police Station only to find the brand new system isn't currently working properly for anyone, including Turkish people who are migrating over to the new drivers license. We met someone that had been three times in the past few days.

So anyway, no worries. I'm assured I can still drive the car and to come back another time when hopefully the teething problems have been ironed out.

Update to follow just so I can outline a completed process and if anything crops up in the final stages...
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: scorcher on January 13, 2016, 19:00:48 PM
That's been a labour of love Nichola - great help so many thanks.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Menthol on January 13, 2016, 23:27:48 PM
Wow, Nichola.

That must have taken ages to put together and the process sounds like a proper pain in the butt.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Highlander on January 13, 2016, 23:30:14 PM
Great post Nichola - what CBF is all about if I may say  :)



Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Diverbaz 1 on January 14, 2016, 08:32:24 AM

Great write up Nichola, not changed much since we did ours 6 years ago, just the police offices. Now can we have a step by step guide when Dogan changes his license for the new one.   ;)  ;)  :)  :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Lotty on January 14, 2016, 08:56:22 AM
Very simple but comprehensive Nichola well done. Those who might need this should book mark it.  :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: davybill on January 14, 2016, 10:03:06 AM
Good information Nichola  but im sticking to the Dolmus
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 14, 2016, 10:37:52 AM
after yesterday Dogan has decided to wait now before doing his Baz! Not as lengthy procedure and I have got the list of what those with Turkish Licenses need to do so I'll post a translation later.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 15, 2016, 09:00:26 AM
Thanks Nichola, for your detailed full information.
I were planning to write an information about how to change driving licence.
It supposed to take my half day and can't be as clear as yours.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 15, 2016, 09:26:45 AM
Yesterday I started to prapare a application file and completed today at 11.00 am.
But, Fethiye Trafic Office  couldnt get the application becouse of computer system problem. They requested us to come  next week.
Driving licence computer program doesnt accept foreigners licence change application. :-)
I wish they will solve the problem.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 15, 2016, 10:29:46 AM
Sorry for the delay to those waiting...

People already with a Turkish license need to do and provide the following.

1. one photocopy of your kimlik - it doesn't say a colour copy is needed

2. two biometric photos - remember the larger than passport size is required

3. donate 2TL to the Police Foundation at Vakif bank

4. pay 13TL at the tax office for the new license

5. provide health report for a driving license from local family clinic - it doesn't say with photo attached

6. pre arrange an appointment via this web site below - this is written exactly as on the printed form but having checked it this link does not appear to work

http://www.surucurandevu.egm.gov.tr/

However I found this link which does work and maybe Inspector can confirm or not if this is the correct site for making an appointment.

https://www.egm.gov.tr/Duyurular/Sayfalar/Surucu-Belgeleri-Online-Randevu-Sistemiyle-Yenileniyor.aspx
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 15, 2016, 11:29:56 AM
 www.surucurandevu.egm.gov.tr​ is the only web site to get appointment
It usualy doesnt work. :-)
You do not have to have appointment online. If you have appointment you will wait less at the Trafic Police Office.
If you go early in the morning 8.30 to 9.30 you can apply for renewal easily.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 15, 2016, 14:10:58 PM
Visitors can drive in the UK on a Turkish passport - for up to 12 months from arrival date.

Residents can drive in Great Britain on your full, valid driving licence for 12 months from when you became resident

After 12 months you’ll need to apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical driving tests to drive in Great Britain.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence

Does it strike anyone else as bizarre that you can visit and/or reside in the UK for 12 months and freely drive around on a Turkish drivers license and at the end of twelve months you are required to apply in full as if you are a learner driver by applying for a provisional license which meant (in my day) you can't drive without another qualified driver next to you?

It implies the UK license is far superior to a Turkish one and yet it's good enough for the first twelve months!

Anyway, I am glad that Turkey hasn't made this a reciprocal arrangement, yet. That would really give us something to moan about...
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 15, 2016, 14:29:32 PM
It implies the UK license is far superior to a Turkish one and yet it's good enough for the first twelve months!

Its nothing against Turkey Nichola, this ruling applies to ALL non EU or EEA licences.

JF

EDIT: Sorry, there are exceptions namely Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 15, 2016, 14:49:14 PM
Quite a few exceptions then   ;)

I just find it really bizarre that in the first year of living in a new country, where people drive on a different side of the road, with lots of new signs and conventions to get used to, like actually signalling before turning, not driving through red lights and giving way when approaching a main road to name a mere few examples that a license deemed unacceptable one year on is good for the first twelve months... Strange!

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 15, 2016, 15:51:33 PM
Quite a few exceptions then     ;)

Yeah, but with the exceptions of Andorra, Monaco and Switzerland, they are all either ex commonwealth countries or they drive on the left, like the UK.

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Menthol on January 17, 2016, 21:32:39 PM
Nichola did you actually have to surrender your UK driving licence to obtain the Turkish one?

It's just that my Avukat is saying you don't have to .... one of her other clients has both a Turkish licence now AND her old Aussie licence.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 17, 2016, 21:59:26 PM
I haven't actually completed the process because the system wasn't working for foreigners but when the Police thought they were going to be be processing it they did take it and say to me that they would be sending it to the DVLA! Previously you didn't have to and the guy that does our insurance used to work for the Police and he said the same as your Avukat but in this case they are both wrong, when it comes to UK licenses. If not please let me know although I have reconciled myself to giving it up  :(

As I think John F or someone else said the UK government is asking for this to happen now. There are perhaps two reasons for this. One, as has already been said if you have two licenses then if one is taken away you could still drive using the other. Two, the UK government is planning to stop people that have lived abroad for more than four years access to certain benefits, like for example tax credits to top up lower than living wages paid by employers in the event that they return full time to the UK... Who knows what else they have in store for returners and what better way to know if someone is resident elsewhere and for how long than by requiring them to relinquish their driving license.

I am hoping Inspector will let us know when the system is working for us so I don't have to keep making unnecessary trips.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Highlander on January 17, 2016, 22:38:06 PM
Two, the UK government is planning to stop people that have lived abroad for more than four years access to certain benefits, like for example tax credits to top up lower than living wages paid by employers in the event that they return full time to the UK

Nichola - I am struggling to understand why that is wrong. Surely it was people's choice to live abroad.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 17, 2016, 22:47:42 PM
I struggle to understand why employers in the UK are allowed to get away with paying wages people can't afford to live on. Anyone who works full time whether in one or more jobs should at the very minimum get at least a wage they can afford to live on without the need for benefits of any kind. Why should the government via the tax payers subsidise big businesses who for the most part turn a vast profit and some also avoid paying tax so a double subsidy footed by the tax paying public.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: happy_flyer on January 17, 2016, 23:05:50 PM
I'm wondering if now i'm living in Dalyan I can pop back and do it once the system is up and running properly or i will have to do over here now.

It will be typical of my luck that i will have to do it here now , as i know where all the offices are in Fethiye but will have to go on recky first before i can go and do it Assuming the Ortaga will have the necessary machine to issue the licence in the first place.

Nicola I must say at this point about your very detailed explanation BRILLIANT THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 17, 2016, 23:12:45 PM
You're very welcome as is anyone who finds it helpful   :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Highlander on January 17, 2016, 23:19:14 PM
I struggle to understand.........

Nichola - perhaps we should discuss this in another topic rather on this important thread
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 17, 2016, 23:22:18 PM
Anytime...   :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: jackstee on January 18, 2016, 11:48:59 AM
Did you know its illegal to colour copy a British passport.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on January 18, 2016, 12:18:47 PM
In which country?

 :)

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 18, 2016, 13:01:19 PM
Did you know its illegal to colour copy a British passport.

It's not.

If you read the 3rd paragraph of the website you'll see that the Identity and Passport Service will accept black and white or colour copies. I can't see that they would be encouraging breaking of the law.

http://www.icaew.com/en/members/practice-resources/icaew-practice-support/practicewire/news/photocopying-passports-revised-guidance
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: jackstee on January 18, 2016, 16:37:20 PM
All the consuls I have been in have told me its a copyright infringement if its in colour
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 18, 2016, 18:02:29 PM
Things have changed.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: usedbustickets on January 18, 2016, 20:06:44 PM
Things have changed.
Yep they sure have... and we've got decimal currency now too!
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: kevin3 on January 18, 2016, 22:26:19 PM

  This thread has been a revelation. I wasn't aware that all Turkish employers paid fair, fantastic wages, ran their businesses above board,

  and paid all their taxes. It's also good to know that big businesses in Turkey do not receive any favor's from the present Government.

  Fascinating.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 19, 2016, 07:35:23 AM
I haven't actually completed the process because the system wasn't working for foreigners but when the Police thought they were going to be be processing it they did take it and say to me that they would be sending it to the DVLA! Previously you didn't have to and the guy that does our insurance used to work for the Police and he said the same as your Avukat but in this case they are both wrong, when it comes to UK licenses. If not please let me know although I have reconciled myself to giving it up  :(

As I think John F or someone else said the UK government is asking for this to happen now. There are perhaps two reasons for this. One, as has already been said if you have two licenses then if one is taken away you could still drive using the other. Two, the UK government is planning to stop people that have lived abroad for more than four years access to certain benefits, like for example tax credits to top up lower than living wages paid by employers in the event that they return full time to the UK... Who knows what else they have in store for returners and what better way to know if someone is resident elsewhere and for how long than by requiring them to relinquish their driving license.

I am hoping Inspector will let us know when the system is working for us so I don't have to keep making unnecessary trips.

Monday there is problem again. I drop the file to the police officer. So he will try 2-3 times a day. If computer accepts the application I will be informed. Then forum members will be informed.
Regards,
Inspector
Mustafa
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 19, 2016, 07:52:39 AM
Thanks Mustafa, will wait to hear from you   :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 20, 2016, 12:09:11 PM
Hello all,
Problem solved
Today Police officers called us 11.30  and we have completed the application at 13.30, It takes just 25 minutes.
After completing the application they  give you a temporary document to drive car till your Driving licence card delivered to you by PTT.
Nichola, You can go and complete your application. :-)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 20, 2016, 16:16:16 PM
Thanks, thats brilliant Mustafa (and Mr Fraser) Friday it is then. Dogan will be chauffeur for just one more day   ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Inspector on January 20, 2016, 18:27:04 PM
Thanks, thats brilliant Mustafa (and Mr Fraser) Friday it is then. Dogan will be chauffeur for just one more day     ;)
Yes Yenge, Mr Fraser is the first UK citizen who get world standard driving licence in Fethiye
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: WordBird on January 27, 2016, 11:55:43 AM
Read this on the Consulate's UK in Turkey group on Facebook:

Consular teams have now made further enquiries with local Turkish Traffic Registration offices as stated in our original post about the changes to Driving Licences with effect from 1 January 2016.

- You should book an appointment with the local Traffic Registry Office you want to visit via http://surucurandevu.egm.gov.tr/belgelersur.aspx link in advance. You can book your appointment online and can review, change and cancel the appointment once you have completed the booking. The online system is only available in Turkish.

- You may need to prove that you have at least completed primary education. However, we are contacting Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify this condition as we recognise the difficulty many of you may have in producing educational certificates from the UK. We will discuss with them what the options for British nationals may be.

- The 6 month period (the time limit you can drive with a British licence) starts at from the day you enter Turkey. Again clarification is being sought from the MFA on whether this is a continuous 6 months in Turkey from this date and what affect exiting and re-entering Turkey has on this 6 month period.

- The fine for driving with a foreign driving licence after 6 months is set at 343 TL for 2016

DVLA have informed us that you can contact them to find out when your licence exchange has been completed and check that the DVLA has received your UK licence from the Turkish authorities. DVLA contact details can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency.


Someone said they'd made an appointment in Bursa and when they turned up to go through the process they were advised by the Traffic Office not to bother right now as it was so much hassle and the system wasn't really ready....

I particularly like the line
- You may need to prove that you have at least completed primary education.

Do I need some random school friend to pop up and say they were there with me? Take a basic reading and writing test?  :o : :)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: KKOB on January 27, 2016, 12:34:30 PM
Do I need some random school friend to pop up and say they were there with me? Take a basic reading and writing test?

Nah, just tell 'em you're a regular poster on CBF.  We'll back y'up.  ;)
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on January 27, 2016, 22:48:59 PM
Thanks for your reply Inspector.

Today we made the journey into Fethiye to do what I've been meaning to do for months now.

First stop the new Police Station on the Antalya road coming from the main Otogar, through security and the Traffic Police are in Block C and the office is on the right just past the entrance. You go to the counter on the right. What they will do is give you a form that lists everything you need to do and supply. It's in Turkish so to save whoever follows in my footsteps that first trip to the station, below is the list in English, with running commentary in the order that it is listed on the form.

1. One colour copy of your resident permit - both sides.

2. One colour copy of your passport.

*none of the offices opposite the Police station have a colour copier so scan and print your own or the nearest place we spotted was on the right just past the traffic lights by the Tuesday market at a stationer's shop. Colour copier upstairs.

3. Notarised translation of your Driving License. Now it does say full details by which I took to mean listing your eligible categories, which generally it would seem previously notarised translations didn't always extend too. But, it does look like they will accept my previously notarised translation which fits into the not full details category.

4. 3 biometric photos that are required to be a larger size than passport photos. There are a couple of places across the road from the Police Station that will do these, just make sure they know it is for a drivers license so they do the right size.

5. Health report with an attached photo stamped and signed from your family or local street clinic. We took the opportunity to finally register at the free government clinic next to the PTT in Hisaronu. The health report is free and includes taking an eye sight test of both letters and numbers.

6. Blood group card which you can get at your local clinic or any hospital. I just photocopied mine that I always carry on me that I got from Enaf in 2004 and just provided that. If you don't photocopy it they will want the card instead. This information does go on your Turkish Drivers License something I always thought was a good idea.

7. Criminal record. This is obtained from the law court. Literally enter the building. Turn right and there is a glass hatch in the wall with a man sat on the other side. Give him your permit and passport and he will ask for your parents first names (in writing on a scrap of paper for us with our strange yabancı names), and a few seconds later he will print out, initial and stamp your criminal record sheet and hand it over to you.

8. Pay at the tax office for the categories you will have on your licence. Combined cost for both below was 536.80TL. See 11 below.

Category A1 + A2 is motorbike and electric scooter

Category B is car

9. Your finger prints will be taken at the station at the end of the process.

10. Red backed plastic folder with a clear front cover - 50 kuruş at stationers.

11. Also at the tax office and at the same time as 8 above - pay 108.50 tax.

* At the tax office go to the third floor (ground floor is first floor in this case), turn left and go to the end of the counter with two women sitting there on the right turn of the counter. They want to know what categories and will want to see your resident permit. They will give you something to take to the person sitting almost directly but just to the right of the stairs on the floor below, the second floor. This is where you make payment and get your receipts for the tax and the categories you are having on your license.

12. Pay 20tl to the Turkish Police Federation which you do at Vakıf bank in Fethiye. You need the receipt stamped and initialed.

13. N/A

14. Nufus address from the Kaymakamlık building in Fethiye. When you enter walk almost to the end and through a glass partition and give your resident permit to one of the people on the left and she will print off your official Nufus address. This needs to be initialled and stamped by someone in a nearby office on the left.

Then with all of this you go back to the Police Station only to find the brand new system isn't currently working properly for anyone, including Turkish people who are migrating over to the new drivers license. We met someone that had been three times in the past few days.

So anyway, no worries. I'm assured I can still drive the car and to come back another time when hopefully the teething problems have been ironed out.

Update to follow just so I can outline a completed process and if anything crops up in the final stages...

Finally got around to completing application this week.

While we were there the Traffic Police Captain did make an appearance and he spent a good ten minutes animatedly talking about people not making an appointment!

All the paperwork mentioned above was accepted including my two year old notarized translation. No other information or paperwork was requested.

As long as your blood group (6 above) is on the Drs health report you don't need to submit that separately.

There were some issues getting the system to recognize my signature but apparently it wasn't me, it's happened before and it was finally processed.

Fingerprints were taken, no ink and pad though!

And lastly I was given a document that states I am allowed to drive for 15 days from the date of receipt and in the meantime my new license will be delivered to me at my address.

I did question if it was absolutely necessary to take my UK license. It is, they said! It will be sent to the UK and they confirmed it was a new requirement.



Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: Jim Fraser on February 09, 2016, 13:32:51 PM
Finally managed to get my licence. It was hiding upstairs at the otogar PTT, according to the tracking system it arrived Fethiye on Saturday and was on a delivery round yesterday (Monday) but no show. So the 15 day covering letter was 4 days short.

There were a few other licences and what looked like residency envelopes in the can't be bothered delivering box.

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on February 09, 2016, 20:37:58 PM
Jim, got my text message to say it's arrived and will be delivered soon!

Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on March 03, 2016, 13:23:58 PM
Final update on getting my drivers licence...

I got a text message to say it was in Fethiye exactly 14 days after I submitted my application. I waited a few days before going to Fethiye PTT by the otogar. They checked the reference number on the text message on the computer and said it had been sent to Hisaronu PTT.

I decided to wait for a few more days to see if they actually delivered it but they didn't so a week later I went to the PTT and it was there on the counter waiting for me. I opened it there to check all the details were correct and the staff all had a good look and discussion about it too.

Anyway, just to add I'm glad I did it straight away because, as Inspector flagged up elsewhere and Wordbird also referred to it earlier in this topic you also now need to provide proof of education and it has to be translated and notorised adding more expense, time and effort getting said proof.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: nichola on March 03, 2016, 13:37:16 PM
A link that isn't actually that helpful about how to get copies of your certificates if you don't already still have the originals.

https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on March 03, 2016, 14:12:13 PM
Not a cheap process. Circa £40 for copy plus translation and Notary fees - skywards of £100 in total I reckon.

I'm sure there's a moral somewhere in there...

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: WordBird on March 04, 2016, 09:13:21 AM
Not a cheap process. Circa £40 for copy plus translation and Notary fees - skywards of £100 in total I reckon.

I'm sure there's a moral somewhere in there...

JF

I'm beginning to think the moral is "sell your bloody car and go back to the dolmuş".  :(
No idea where my exam certificates are - never needed them in 30 years - no idea which exam board/s they were with and my old school/college no longer exists.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on March 04, 2016, 09:18:49 AM
Assuming you went to school in England, its likely that it'll be: http://www.aqa.org.uk/ (http://www.aqa.org.uk/)

JF
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: WordBird on March 04, 2016, 09:24:11 AM
Assuming you went to school in England, its likely that it'll be: http://www.aqa.org.uk/ (http://www.aqa.org.uk/)

JF

No idea but I guess I could start with them. I did a combination of O levels and the short-lived and ill-fated 16+, plus a couple of RSAs.

Just a thought, actually....does anyone know if it has to be proof of secondary education at age 16 or can it be higher level? Even though the places I studied for my A levels and journalism qualifications both closed some years ago, the NCTJ is still going and I might be able to get records from them.
Title: Re: Important Information about driving licence
Post by: JohnF on March 04, 2016, 09:30:57 AM
If you've got an RSA qualification then its: http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/lost-certificates/ (http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/lost-certificates/)

As far as I'm aware it's high school education, or above.

JF