Buying a car, driving licences and foreign plates

2026-10-08 · Author: Grand Emlak

How long is a foreign licence valid, how long can a foreign-plated car stay, and how do you buy a car? Official sources only.

Driving on a foreign licence

According to the FAQ page of the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (NVİ), since 01.01.2016 Turkish citizens may drive in Türkiye on a licence obtained abroad for 2 years and foreigners for 6 months; to keep driving after that period, a Turkish driving licence must be obtained. The exchanged foreign licence is sent to the issuing country under the implementing instruction of Article 88 of the Road Traffic Regulation. Source: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (NVİ), accessed 08.10.2026

For the exchange (tebdil) of a licence obtained abroad, the original foreign licence and a colour copy, a Turkish translation certified by a notary or consulate, an identity document, a driver's medical report, one biometric photo taken within the last six months, a blood-group declaration and an education certificate are required; fees and the criminal record are checked electronically. The application is made in person, by appointment from the NVİ system. Source: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (NVİ), accessed 08.10.2026

A Turkish licence is valid in the 93 member states of the Convention on Road Traffic; for non-member countries the International Driving Permit issued by the Turkish Touring and Automobile Club is needed. According to Turing, the permit is based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, is valid for 1 year from issue, and foreigners present the original licence, two photos and a consulate-certified translation; the first-issue fee is published as 7,800 TL (accessed 08.10.2026, subject to change). Source: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality (NVİ), Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turing), accessed 08.10.2026

Staying in Türkiye with a foreign-plated car

According to the Ministry of Trade's customs FAQ, persons resident outside the Turkish Customs Territory may temporarily bring in a vehicle for personal use provided they spent at least 185 of the 365 days before entry abroad; those who retired abroad are exempt from the 185-day condition. The period is calculated from passport entry and exit records, visible on e-Devlet. Source: Ministry of Trade, accessed 08.10.2026

The period granted to the vehicle is at most 730 days for persons resident abroad; foreigners without a residence permit receive a total of 90 days within 180 days, holders of a residence permit the duration of their permit up to 730 days, and vehicles brought under a power of attorney from a legal entity 90 days. The permit holder's spouse, parents and children may drive the vehicle if they are resident abroad or the holder is in the car. Source: Ministry of Trade, accessed 08.10.2026

The vehicle may be left in Türkiye under customs custody while you travel; unused time can be used on a later entry if the 185-day condition is met again. Overstays are fined at the 2026 rates of 2,988 TL for 1 month, 5,976 TL for 2 months and 8,964 TL for 3 months; longer overstays incur 25% of the customs duties. Turing defines the Green Card certificate as an internationally valid third-party liability insurance document for vehicles used abroad; confirm before departure that your insurance covers Türkiye. Source: Ministry of Trade, Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turing), accessed 08.10.2026

Buying a car in Türkiye: the notary and ARTES

According to the ARTES page of the Union of Turkish Notaries, Decree-Law No. 680, published on 6 January 2017, amended the Road Traffic Law and transferred vehicle registration services to notary offices under the Union's coordination; second-hand vehicle sales at notaries have been handled under ARTES since 01.02.2018. As of September 2026 the system holds about 35.5 million vehicle records and operates in 2,383 notary offices. Source: Union of Turkish Notaries (ARTES), accessed 08.10.2026

For a second-hand vehicle, registration is completed at the notary at the same time as the sale; vehicles in the MA–MZ plate group registered to foreign natural and legal persons are also registered at notaries. The documents required vary by transaction type and vehicle class and are listed on ARTES's "Documents required for registration" page; obtain the current list from the notary before the transaction. Source: Union of Turkish Notaries (ARTES), Union of Turkish Notaries (ARTES), accessed 08.10.2026

Motor Vehicle Tax (MTV)

The Motor Vehicle Tax General Communiqué (Serial No. 58), published in the Official Gazette No. 33124 (5th repeated issue) of 31 December 2025, sets the amounts applicable from 1/1/2026: under Presidential Decision No. 10783 of 30/12/2025, a revaluation rate of 18.95% was applied to vehicles in tariffs (I), (II), (IV) and (I/A). Cars and similar vehicles registered from 1/1/2018 are taxed under tariff (I) by engine size, age and value. Source: Official Gazette, accessed 08.10.2026

Under Motor Vehicle Tax Law No. 197, the tax is paid each year in two equal instalments in January and July; when ownership changes through a sale, the tax is paid before the change is made. Amounts change every year; confirm with the Revenue Administration and an accountant before acting. Source: Legislation Information System, accessed 08.10.2026

How Grand Emlak helps

This article is not legal or tax advice; legislation changes, so confirm with the relevant authority and a professional before acting.

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