Driving in Ireland vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Turkey, drivers encounter distinct rules and customs that can significantly impact their travel experience. This comparison highlights essential variations, from driving sides and speed regulations to emergency protocols, ensuring a safer journey for those venturing abroad. Discover the crucial contrasts that define these vibrant driving cultures.
Lanes
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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
ireland:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
turkey:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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
ireland:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges