Turkey drives on the right, with speed limits of 50 km/h in town, 90 on intercity roads, 110 on dual carriageways and 120 on motorways. Motorway and bridge tolls are collected electronically through HGS; there is no cash payment at the barrier and rental cars carry an HGS tag. Children under 150 cm and 36 kg must travel in an appropriate seat, and children under three cannot sit in the front. Seat belts are compulsory in every seat, and daytime headlights are required outside built-up areas.
50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 on intercity roads, 110 on dual carriageways and 120 on motorways. Limits are enforced by automatic cameras, and on a rental car the fine is passed on to the driver who signed the contract. Lower limits can apply to certain vehicle classes and when towing.
Tolls are collected through the HGS electronic system; there is no cash lane and attempting to pass without a tag counts as a violation. Rental cars carry an HGS tag, and the amount is either charged at the end of the rental or paid up front by adding an HGS package to the booking. Istanbul's Bosphorus bridges are part of the same system.
Also asked as: What is HGS in Turkey?
Yes. Children under 150 cm and 36 kg must use a seat or booster appropriate to their age, and children under three cannot travel in the front seat. When renting, you can add a child seat as an extra on the booking; on transfers child seats are provided free on request.
Street parking in big city centres is limited and usually paid; municipal car parks and shopping-centre garages are the more reliable option. Parking around Istanbul's historic peninsula and Beyoğlu is genuinely difficult — for those districts public transport or a transfer is more practical than a car. Check whether your hotel has parking before booking.
If you are staying in one city and visiting central sights, transfers and public transport are more practical — parking and traffic eat the freedom a car promises. Where public transport is sparse, though — the coastal villages, the Cappadocia valleys, the Lycian coast — a rental car doubles what fits into a day. For most visitors the right combination is transfers in the city and a rental car for the regional legs.
Also asked as: Is renting a car in Turkey worth it?
Make the scene safe first and call 112 if anyone is hurt. Then call the rental company's emergency number — it is on the contract — and have an official accident report drawn up. Without that report the collision cover usually does not apply. Do not move the car from the scene before the report is complete, and photograph the damage.
Attendants normally fill the car for you; you just say which fuel you want. Confirm whether the car is petrol or diesel at hand-over — misfuelling is damage the insurance does not cover. Stations are regular along motorways, but the gaps stretch in central Anatolia and mountain areas, so not letting the tank drop below half is a good habit.
Driving in Turkey — questions
Speed limits in Turkey, the HGS motorway toll system, child seat rules, parking, fuel and what to do after an accident.
Book this service now