Driving in France vs Turkey: Key Differences You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of France and Turkey, drivers must be aware of distinct regulations and customs that govern vehicle operation. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels, which significantly impact road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| France | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges