Driving Safety: Germany vs. Turkey - Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Germany and Turkey, understanding the unique rules and customs is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol regulations, key distinctions can significantly impact your travel experience. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will enhance your safety and confidence on foreign streets.
Lanes
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges