Car rental in Turkey

In Turkey there are many toll motorways of different lengths. Prices for journeys range from TL 2,25 to TL 27.

At the entrance to the Bosphorus Bridge and the Sultan's Bridge, which connect the European and Asian sides, a toll of TL 4,25 is charged.

At the entrance to any toll road, checkpoints are located where payment is taken. You no longer need to queue for paper coupons giving the right to travel. Instead, you simply purchase a special HGS label at the sales offices at the beginning/end of the road, at the post office or at a bank: one sticker is attached to the windscreen (centre top) and the second should be kept with you at all times to use the service.

You must reduce your speed to 30 km/h at the entrance to the toll section of the road so that the scanner can read the data from the sticker. Failure to do so will result in a fine.

The sticker costs from TL 35.

The amount of alcohol in a driver's blood must not exceed 0.5 ppm.

If the reading is higher, you will have to pay a fine of TL 537.

If the car is towing a trailer, the blood alcohol level must be zero.

In Turkey there is generally no time-limited on-street parking. You can park where permitted and inspectors will charge parking fees directly in the street. In many cities there are specially equipped garages and car parks.

In the big cities you may experience difficulties finding a space due to an acute shortage of parking places.

In Turkey, filling stations offer the following fuels:

The fine can be paid to the police on the spot after the receipt has been issued.

• Everyone in the car while it is moving is required to wear a seat belt.
• Children under 12 years old, or whose height is less than 1.5 m, must travel in the rear seats. The carriage of children in the front seat is prohibited.
• Dipped headlights are required only when visibility is reduced due to the weather and at night.
• You must not talk on the phone if you need to hold it in your hand. Calls are only allowed using a hands-free or wireless headset.
• You must carry a first aid kit and two warning triangles. A fire extinguisher is recommended.

If you have not violated the rules and a traffic police officer still stops the car, there may be several reasons:

• a routine check of the driving licence;
• checking blood alcohol or drug levels (usually at weekends and on holidays in areas with many bars and restaurants);
• special operations and selective checks of passing cars.

It is important to know that Turks often ignore traffic rules and frequently drive aggressively. They may stop or change direction without signalling their intentions to other road users. At night, some drive with their headlights off and a car may stop in the middle of the carriageway. Pedestrians also often break the rules, suddenly running out into the road. In addition, traffic is sometimes obstructed by animals on the carriageway, slow tractors and horse-drawn carts. During religious festivals the likelihood of accidents also increases.

When travelling around Turkey in a rented car, be careful and stay alert so that your journey leaves you only with positive emotions.