Driving in Turkey vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the unique road practices and regulations of Turkey and the United Kingdom with our comprehensive comparison. From driving sides and lane markings to speed limits and emergency protocols, this guide highlights crucial distinctions that can impact your journey abroad. Stay informed and ensure a safer driving experience in these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
turkey:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
turkey:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
turkey:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
turkey:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
turkey:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
turkey:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
turkey:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
turkey:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
turkey:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
turkey:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
turkey:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
turkey:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
turkey:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
turkey:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
turkey:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Turkey | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Turkish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
turkey:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
turkey:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
turkey:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield after inspection | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
turkey:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
turkey:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
turkey:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
turkey:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
turkey:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 155 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
turkey:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
turkey:
155
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
turkey:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
turkey:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Turkey | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Approximately TL 160, points may apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for holding a phone while driving | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines vary, penalty points apply | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay