Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Information and Services in Turkey Section => Cars, Bikes, Scooters, MOTs, Speeding... => Topic started by: Ian on September 07, 2011, 15:48:29 PM
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I arrived home today from 10 days of driving around on our little scooter on our UK licence and enjoying ourselves in Fethiye to find an e-mail from Aegean Independent with a link to this article below - now I know it is a "looking for work" pitch - but could it be true??
For anyone who does not have a Turkish license and are unfortunate enough to have an accident, then they will be faced with all involved costs as their insurance company will not pay out and will even face a heavy fine or jail sentence.
The process of obtaining a license is not a difficult one but can be a little daunting for those of you who don't speak Turkish. This is where we come in as we offer the assistance of an interpreter for a day, who knows everything involved and will accompany you to all the relevant offices. The application can be handled in a single day and all required paperwork can be dealt with by us.
Beware!
The problems don't stop here though as there are so many ex-pats driving around in Fiat Doblos and similar vehicles. These vehicles are classed as commercial and in Turkey it is illegal for a foreign person to drive them.
For any further information or advice please feel free to contact us at the Aegean Independent on 0530 *** ****
Please note that this is an important piece of information and if you have a friend in this category then please inform them.
Any ideas????
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If this is the case i.e Fiat Doblo,s etc,if illegal how is it we have Yabanci plates and get issued with them through Traffic Polis.Just one more thing I also thought The Aegean Independant was no more!!!!!
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"The problems don't stop here though as there are so many ex-pats driving around in Fiat Doblos and similar vehicles. These vehicles are classed as commercial and in Turkey it is illegal for a foreign person to drive them."
What an absolute load of removed_by_swear_filter! If that was the case then can they explain how we were able to buy a Doblo?, the Notary would have picked up on this, how we are able to tax and insure it?, how we can 'MOT' test it? and also why have the Police and Jandarme not picked up on this every time we have been stopped and checked at a routine road check?
They are talking out of their backsides. I thought they had ceased trading !!!!!
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Here is the link:
http://aegeanindependent.com/?p=534#more-534
Ian
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I thought they are now selling property !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Before everyone writes this off I recently heard of a guy who wished to buy a brand new Dacia Logan Estate and the local Renault distributor refused to sell him one as although he has a Turkish driving licence he didn't hold a commercial licence valid for this particular model ...... yes that's right, a car dealer refused to sell a car !!!!!!
I do know that some of the Fiat and Ford models are also classed as commercial as well so perhaps as well to check your paperwork ;)
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Rod is correct, I spoke with the bloke who could not buy the car on his Turkish licence, as I understand it when you translate your licence from English to Turkish you pay for each class of vehicle, my Berlingo, Doblo's etc are classed as "small lorries" (Kaymonet) which can not be driven on a licence just for a car, so when you have your licence translated make sure all categories are done. This is how it was explained to me at the Citroen garage when I was going to buy a new car last month.
Mark
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quote:
Originally posted by Eric
"The problems don't stop here though as there are so many ex-pats driving around in Fiat Doblos and similar vehicles. These vehicles are classed as commercial and in Turkey it is illegal for a foreign person to drive them."
What an absolute load of removed_by_swear_filter! If that was the case then can they explain how we were able to buy a Doblo?, the Notary would have picked up on this, how we are able to tax and insure it?, how we can 'MOT' test it? and also why have the Police and Jandarme not picked up on this every time we have been stopped and checked at a routine road check?
They are talking out of their backsides. I thought they had ceased trading !!!!!
You can buy, tax, insure, MOT, any vehicle in Turkey as a Yabanci, as you can in most parts of the world, but to drive it you need the correct licence[?] now I am not saying the article is correct about the doblo, but if you reside in Turkey full time and have sold up in the UK then your UK licence should have the address where you permanatly live (ie Turkish add) , I know some years back there was a tax loophole here regarding converting a comercial (ie vans) into cars by adding rear seats and windows, but I do belive they closed that in about 2003[?] as regards the police/JD I do not personally know any that can read/write English[?] I am in know way agreeing with the said article but you have been here long enough now Eric to know that its not a problem until something goes pear shaped ;) could be interesting :)
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quote:
Originally posted by karaokemark
Rod is correct, I spoke with the bloke who could not buy the car on his Turkish licence, as I understand it when you translate your licence from English to Turkish you pay for each class of vehicle, my Berlingo, Doblo's etc are classed as "small lorries" (Kaymonet) which can not be driven on a licence just for a car, so when you have your licence translated make sure all categories are done. This is how it was explained to me at the Citroen garage when I was going to buy a new car last month.
That said every time I have been pulled icluding a speeding fine I only had my English licence which was accepted, a freind of ours wrote his car off and got paid out by the insurance company ok.
Mark
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According to the traffic emniyet website and the actual wording in the law, it states that you can use your driving license here for aslong as you dont become a Turkish citizen. If you do then you have 12 months to covert it otherwise you can carry on as per usual.
On my 20th year here on a UK license and never had problems from police or insurance companies.
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Thanks starman - very useful info :-)
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The DVLA site on international driving direct you to this AA and the RAC site, see Turkey ref: I,L :o can you post a link to that site Starman, I am know totally confused.:([:http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/idp-requirements-by-country.html#T)]
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Goto this webiste http://www.trafik.gov.tr/
click sss on left hand menu and look at number 7. Its in Turkish but clearly states that you dont need to change your license unless you become a Turkish citizen.
quote:
7. Yurtdisindan almis oldugum ehliyet, Türkiye'de geçerli midir? Degilse ne yapabilirim?
Türk vatandaslari ile ilgili kanunlar ve ikili ve çok tarafli anlasma hükümleri sakli kalmak üzere yabanci kisiler, dis ülkelerden alinmis, cinsi için geçerli sürücü belgeleri ile ülkemizde yabanci ve Türk plakali araçlari sürebilirler.
Ancak; turistler ve geçici bir süre için gelenler disinda herhangi bir is, hizmet veya egitim amaciyla ülkemizde bulunan yabancilarin ise konsolosluk veya noter tarafindan tercüme edilmis tasdikli Sürücü belgesi örneklerini Sürücü belgesi ile birlikte yanlarinda bulundurmalari mecburidir. Türk vatandaslari yurda kesin dönüslerinde, 1 yil içerisinde sürücü belgelerinin degistirmedikleri takdirde ,degistirinceye kadar araç kullanamazlar.
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From abroad have taken driver's license, valid in Turkey Is? If not, what can I do?
Turkish citizens with the relevant laws and bilateral and multilateral agreement without prejudice to the provisions of the foreign person, foreign from the country, type, valid driver's licenses in our country with foreign license plates and sürebilirler Turks.
However, tourists and those hoping for a temporary period of time is no exception, the consular service, or educational purposes on foreigners in our country, or translated by a notary public together with a certified driver's license to possess and maintain a driver's license is mandatory instances. Final return to Turkey of Turkish nationals, 1 year, if not change in the driver's documents, can not use until you change your vehicle.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------Oh right, that makes it crystal clear :D:D thanks ;)LMAO
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This site may help with what you can and can't drive, B class, Otomobil, Minibus and Kamyonet!!!!
http://www.aydinsari.com.tr/ehliyet.htm
and in english sort of,
http://www.aydinsari.com.tr/eng/driving.htm
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Reading this subject I realize that it might actually be true.
A couple of years ago, I had my car drivers licence changed into a Turkish one.
This was done at the same time that I had gotten my motor licence in Turkey.
I recall the policeman saying that normally when conversing a foreign licence into a Turkish one, he had to write the exception that I was not allowed to drive commercial vehicles. Since I had entered the A2 test, he said he was able to omit this sentence.
At the time, I didn't think it was important (and I had completely forgotten it) but it was useful since I'm actually driving a Dacia Logan MCV.
Maybe members with Turkish licences can check the wording on their licence?
By the way, a 5 seater Dacia Logan is not classified as a ticari arac (commercial vehicle).
edit: oops, was supposed to write that it is classified as a ticari arac.
For that reason the maximum speed limit is also lower than with a regular car.
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@Starman, it doesn't clearly state that you don't have to change your license.
It makes an exception for tourists and persons who are staying in Turkey on a temporarily basis.
It doesn't say anything about foreigners staying long term in Turkey.
The rule is that a foreign license is valid for six months. After six months you need to get it changed.
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Where do you get the 6 months figure from. First I have heard of it.
Like I said, been on UK license for 20 years, and know many others here who have done the same and NEVER had a problem. Out of the 100's of expats I know myself, only 1 has got a Turkish license and that was because it was easier for him as he drives around a lot around the oil fields in Batman and easy for the local jandarme to understand.
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Can't really say where I've got the knowledge from. I just know it :-)
Most policemen are not aware of the rule but you might get problems with your insurance company in case of an accident.
If you have been in Turkey longer than six months, your licese is not valid.
Since many people are/were doing the Rhodes trips, they probably leave the country on a regular basis so it won't apply to them.
I've had mine changed several years ago since I don't leave very often.
I was under the impression that I had also read it on this forum as well but I can't remember exactly where.
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Here it is: {A Link to an old CBF topic was here - no longer available}43142&whichpage=1
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Trust me, your license is valid after 6 months. The actual ruling as it states on the traffic police websites which I would look at as the official mouth piece and not some agean online newspaper gives 12 months but the actual grammar makes it out that only those need to change if they become a Turkish citizen. The word temporary visit can be translated as anything. I have known people to be here many years but they imported their furniture under the same "gecici" temporary meaning.
My wife is English and only has a UK license, she has been here for 17 years. She has a BMW and made an insurance claim last month and they never raised the subject once about a turkish license. Same to another English family 3 weeks ago.
I work closely with several insurance companies helping expats get car insurance, home insurance etc etc. This is part of my job so I do know what is going on. Never, has any insurance company ever asked for a Turkish license or never has any insurance company in all these years with all the people I know as refused to pay because of this not having a Turkish license subject.
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Well, maybe they have been lucky...who knows.
Just because something isn't clearly specified on some website, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
You mentioned a foreigner changing his license into a Turkish one because he was going to the oil fields near Batman. According to the traffic police website he - assuming that he works in Turkey - needs to have a certified translation of his foreign license in order to drive legally. Nothing is written about the possibility of obtaining a Turkish license. Does this mean that he can't use one? No, it doesn't. Like I said: just because it isn't mentioned, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
By the way...the website doesn't say anything about foreigners becoming Turkish citizens as you mention in your last post. It only mentions Turkish citizens who are returning to Turkey definitely.
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Nothing to do with luck. Lost count the amount of muppets that have crashed into me or my wife (can be often in Istanbul) and never had a problem with police or insurance and luck always run out and I am sure that after 20 years, it should have run out a long time ago if your claims were correct. It is just the way it is.
Also the main reason my friend got a Turkish license (he kept his British one) was he was fed up with the jandarme out east taking for every to understand what a UK license was even with a translated copy.
But just to clarify, you DO NOT have to change your license after 6 months. This is a fact.
Anyway, now time to get on to a much more serious matter and that is where to drink tonight as its friday and the end of a work week.
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Then I can only say to you: Þerefe!
P.S. Your nick sounded familiar but reading Istanbul has made the penny drop. We have actually met a couple of years ago when you offered me a job :-)
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Received this email today from a friend:
Hi Everyone
apparently we can all breath a sigh of relief..................thanks to local sleuth!
This same subject reared its head last year. Enquiries at Traffic Police and Hyundai garage who both said the information was incorrect. It turned out to be a money-making process for the locals who could speak English.
Had an appointment with Turkish solicitor. Showed him the info from the article and he said he had no knowledge of these so-called new laws.
He telephoned a Turkish motor insurance agent and he said it was not required to have a Turkish Licence and also the conditions regarding Fiat Doblo, Renault Kango, etc. were also incorrect.
A Turkish Driving Licence which cost me 640 TL (including the use of a Turkish agent) - Nice money for a Turk to earn in a day!
PS Friend paid for Turkish licence not me!!
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Good news for all!
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Another Urban rumour put straight so thanks to Denise for passing the info on and yet again Starman is correct in his knowledge....well done both.
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Well firo, how do you work that one out? no links to facts, or Turkish law, just as you put it ''urban rumour'' from a different source! starman so called link in ''Turkish law'' was IMO is an absoulute joke, as for Denises post no facts? email from a friend!
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As I have stated before. If you LIVE in Turkey and do not have a UK address, your UK picture license will expire (10 years from first issue) you cannot LEGALLY renew it, so if you intend at some point to holiday back in the UK and hire a car, you can LEGALLY with a Turkish license.
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BM06, No facts or source given by Aegean either! but some people choose to believe them. Which is the joke?
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I renewed my license last year from my mother in laws address in Newcastle. No problems what so ever. I know quite a few people still using the paper license which actually doesnt expire untill they are 70.
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I am in know way agreeing with the said article but you have been here long enough now Eric to know that its not a problem until something goes pear shaped ;) could be interesting :)
[/quote]Eric, this is a passage from my first post on this topic, in my second I posted from the official DVLA site which directs you to the AA/RAC sites(see sections I,L as regards to Turkey) wich I would assume to be more factul than an email from a friend! and as you can see from Starmans last post :o ;) what he is doing is actually illegal in the UK! so I just can not see it being legal in Turkey? as I said before its all ok in Turkey until something goes pear shaped, then the ++++ hits fan ;)
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Opps! thats rather big sorry boss don't know what happened there :-\ ;)
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Guess you hit the return or space bar a few too many times.
What is illegal about applying for a renewed license from a UK address? I believe several million people do it every 10 years. What about the people that still have the old paper licenses as from what I understand, there is no law to state that you have to get a photo license if you already have a paper license and my paper license is good till 2040 by which time I hope to be driving a flying sedgeway with a decent cup older for my beverages. Would I need a Turkish license for that I wonder?
Anyway I dont see myself being here permanently otherwise I would have gotten Turkish citizenship (which I will never apply for but thats a different subject) and according to the traffic police website which I see as more authority as a mouth piece then the RAC or AA or ageantimes, anyone staying here temporary does NOT need to get a license.
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Well to answer your 1st Q you do not live at your mother in _laws address in Newcastle permanently, you live in Turkey? thats an offence under UK law, so its illegal, you also said you renewed your licence last year? at that address? you would have been issued with a photo licence they no longer issue paper licences, you are quite correct there is no laws regarding changing the old paper licence to a photo one, but any change of details/offences you will be issued with a photo licence, this seems to be going slightly off topic so I will leave it there, good luck.
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not illegal if I spend more than 90 days per year in the UK.