Driving in Turkey

Turkey, with its surprisingly good roads and maddeningly slow trains is best seen by motor vehicle. Generally, driving habits conform those of other Southern European countries. Signposts, however, are much less frequent. Turkey also has a relatively high accident rate. Watch out at night for livestock and for unlit farm vehicles.

Seat belts are compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 50 mg. Speed limits are as follows: 40 kph (24 mph) in built-up areas, 90 kph (56 mph) outside built-up areas, and 130 kph (78 mph) on expressways. Cars towing a trailer or caravan are limited to 40 kph (25 mph) in built-up areas, and 70 kph (44 mph) outside built-up areas.

Headlights should always be used when driving. Use of the horn is illegal except in cases of immediate and extreme danger.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

A sign reading Park Yapilmaz means No parking. Do not park within 25 metres of danger signs.

Fuel

Many fuel stations along main highways are open 24 hours; others are open from 6am to 10pm Fuel stations are not as numerous as in other countries, so fill up your vehicle's tank whenever you can. Credit cards are generally accepted. Regular unleaded petrol has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 96. Unleaded petrol is called kursunsuz benzin. Unleaded super petrol has an octane rating of 95. Diesel also goes by the name mazot. LPG is getting more popular and is available at many stations.

Tolls

Tolls are charged between Edirne and Istanbul, Istanbul and Izmit, Izmit and Gebze, Tsarsus and Pozanti, Ankara and Gerede, and Izmir and Çesme. In the direction Europe to Asia, tolls are charged on the Bosphorus and Faith Sultan Mehmet bridges: 1.50 TRY for cars, vans, motorhomes; 0.20 TRY for motorcycles.