slven

We are renting car in Turkey for our part of our honeymoon. We have less than 20 days to the wedding and trip and lots to do - trying to determine whether time to go to AAA office to get IDP is worth it.

I understand rental car agencies most likely do NOT require it and the law does not require it, but then read it can still be helpful, especially in an unfortunate situation such as getting pulled over by the police or an accident. Any thoughts?

rfbk50

I have never been to Turkey but I have always gotten the license when I rented a car in a foreign country. They never asked for it 10 years back but I noticed the last two times I rented a car, once in Greece and last year in Costa Rico, the rental agency asked to see it. So I would get one to preclude any problems.

otherchelebi

You actually answered your own question. i cannot see how an international permit, which is just a piece of paper can be helpful when the law does not require it!!

mohan

We rented cars from several rental companies in Turkey and nobody ever asked to see the International Drivers Permit.
In some Asian countries, car rental companies cannot do business with you if you don't have that piece of paper.

nytraveler

I take an IDP everywhere the cops are likely to speak anything other than English. (Otherwise how do they know you are showing them a driver's license rather than a Michigan - or wherever - library or state park card?)

otherchelebi

nytraveler, you have a poor view of cops everywhere. For example, the Turkish drivers license actually writes "Drivers License" on it in English also, so that the Turkish cops are familiar with the words.

I have rented cars with a Turkish drivers license in the unted States, italy, France, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and never had any problems in the past 25 years. i do remember needing an IDP in the 1970's in Europe.

Davero

I drove for two weeks in Turkey; Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya and points in between. The drive from Fethiye to Antalya is spectacular. I used my US license with no problem. Roads were generally good and traffic not to difficult at all compared to may places we have been. I did not drive in Istanbul but the traffic there looked no worse than most European cities and not as bad as London, Rome and Paris. Getting an IDP would have been pointless.

propertravel

You do not need an international drivers licence in Turkey, however just for further information police knows the difference between a library card and drivers licence!
Happy travels,
Murat

nytraveler

And how precisely would the police know that difference if they don't speak English?

You've got a photo, some code numbers and dates and either a library logo - or for state parks the name of the state and symbol. How is it obvious this isn't a driver license?

We do road trips in europe all of the time and always have an IDP - just in case.

jacobkaan

http://turkey.angloinfo.com/transport/driving-licences/