Driving rules in Antalya
Driving in the city center of Antalya is not recommended. You can walk to all of the places you need. You can bring your car to the various beaches and attractions around the city because the street are bigger and the traffic is thinner. In general, you can leave your car hire at your hotel and only drive it when you want to go for a trip into the outlying areas. The road system around Antalya is in good condition and you will be happy to bring a rental car to the interesting tourist attractions. You need to be aware that some of the roads have pot holes that are sometimes hard to see. It is good advice to not drive at night if you can help it.
Driver’s License
|
Type of License |
Requirements |
|
EU License |
You can use an EU license to drive in Turkey |
|
Non-EU License |
Some are legal. It is always a good idea to have an IDP. |
|
All Drivers |
Must be over 18 years of age |
| Must have a current and valid license from home country. |
It is legal for most people to drive a car in Turkey if they have a valid license from their home county. It is always a good idea to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to supplement your current license. You can get an IDP from your local auto club for the cost of about 10.00 EUR. The IDP translates your current license and must be used in conjunction.
You can easily and cheaply obtain an IDP from your local automotive club. If you are from the UK, click here to learn more about IDPs. For all other countries, click here to get information about your license and the IDP supplement.
Speed Limits
|
Type of Road |
Speed Limit (mi/h) |
Speed Limit (km/h) |
| City Streets |
31 |
50 |
| Rural Roads |
56 |
90 |
| Motorways |
75 |
120 |
All of the speed limit signs in Antalya are expressed in kilometers per hour (km/h). Always follow the posted speed limits. If you are unsure of the speed limit in a certain location, you
can use the above table as a guide. The driving signs are similar to the rest of Europe. If you want more info on the road signs in Turkey, you can view these similar signs.
Rules of the Road
|
Category |
Description |
|
Flow of Traffic |
Drive on the RIGHT side of the road |
| Only pass slower traffic on the left | |
| Always yield to cars on your right at an intersection | |
| Always yield to cars on your left at a roundabout | |
|
The Driver |
Must not exceed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05% |
| Must give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport | |
| Cannot use a hand held mobile phone | |
| Cannot use a radar detecting device | |
| Should use headlights at all times for safety | |
|
Passengers |
Need to wear seatbelts at all times |
| Must have the proper safety restraints if under 12 years old |
The drinking and driving laws are very strict in Turkey. It is best to abstain from drinking alcohol if you will be operating the car. If you do drink, make sure you will not exceed the level of .05% BAC. One thing is certain, you do not want to spend any of your vacation in a Turkish prison.
Make sure you drive defensively. Many drivers in Antalya and all of Turkey do not obey the rules of the road and they will make very aggressive maneuvers. If you are always aware of the traffic around you, there will not be a problem. Stay alert and be careful of the road conditions. That being said, most drivers in Antalya are law abiding citizens. Use common sense whilst driving and you will have a most positive experience.
