Driving in India vs Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of India and Turkey, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that influence road safety. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for a secure journey. Discover the essential contrasts to ensure your travels are both safe and enjoyable.
Lanes
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
turkey:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
turkey:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
turkey:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
turkey:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
turkey:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
turkey:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
turkey:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges