License fees for 2022 vary according to the license class. Once the requirements for obtaining a license are met, applicants can become license holders. The 2022 driving license process begins after the required fee is deposited to the designated bank, since the license is issued following completion of the prescribed training.
A single license does not authorize the holder to operate every type of vehicle, and driving without a valid license carries severe penalties. For 2022, applicants can obtain a license by paying the announced license fee at the beginning of the year and meeting all other requirements.
What Is a Driving License?
Driving license is an official document that legally permits a person to operate motorized or non-motorized vehicles on public roads and can serve as an identity document. It is also called a driver’s certificate. Each type of vehicle corresponds to a specific license class.
Drivers who wish to operate a certain type of vehicle must take the licensing exam for that class and obtain the corresponding license. Applicants must meet all criteria specified in Article 76 of the Highway Traffic Regulation before they are eligible.
The requirements listed in Article 76 of the Highway Traffic Regulation include:
- Exam requirement,
- Health requirement,
- Criminal record requirement,
- Experience requirement,
- Education requirement. Applicants who meet these criteria become eligible to schedule appointments for licensing procedures.
How Is a License Obtained?
If applicants satisfy the conditions specified by the Highway Traffic Regulation, they can obtain a driving license.
The steps to obtain a driving license are as follows:
- The first step is for the applicant to decide which vehicle class they want a license for.
- This is important because each vehicle class requires a specific license.
- After confirming they meet the necessary conditions, the applicant registers with a driving school for the chosen license class.
- Applicants receive theoretical and practical instruction at the driving school and then take the required exams.
- The licensing exam has two stages: a written theory exam and a practical driving (road) test.
- Those who pass the written exam on traffic rules qualify to take the practical driving test. Applicants who successfully pass all exams are entitled to receive their license and begin driving legally.
What Are the Requirements for Obtaining a License?
Every applicant must fulfill all required conditions and pass the prescribed exams to obtain a driving license.
The main requirements for obtaining a license are:
Age Requirement;
- Applicants must be at or above the minimum age specified for the relevant license class.
- The minimum age varies by vehicle class.
- For M, A1 and B2 classes the minimum age is 16.
- For A2, B, BE, C1, C1E, F and G classes the minimum age is 18.
- For A class licenses the minimum age is 20.
- For three-wheeled motorcycles with power greater than 15 kW the minimum age is 21.
- For C, CE, D1 and D1E classes the minimum age is 21.
- For D and DE classes the minimum age is 24.
Experience Requirement;
- The experience requirement varies by license class; some classes require prior experience in another license class before issuance.
Health Requirement;
- To ensure safety for themselves and others, applicants must meet specific health standards when applying for a license.
- Therefore, when enrolling in a driving course, applicants must present a medical report indicating they are fit to drive.
Criminal Record Requirement;
- The Highway Traffic Regulation defines the rules and conditions for licensing.
- Applicants are expected to declare their criminal record status as part of the application process.
Education Requirement;
- The minimum education requirement for license applicants is completion of primary school (elementary education).
Which Documents Are Required to Apply for a License?
Applicants must prepare and submit specific documents when applying for a vehicle license. Without these documents, an application cannot proceed.
The required documents for obtaining a license in 2022 are:
- An identity document showing the Turkish Republic identity number, original and photocopy
- Original and photocopy of diploma or an equivalent document
- Medical report issued by a general practitioner or specialist confirming fitness to drive
- A document proving no criminal record that would prevent issuance of the 2022 license; applicants must submit a written statement if they do not have a criminal record
- If the applicant already holds a driving license and is applying for an additional class, a photocopy of the existing license
- For applicants under 18, a guardian’s consent letter
- Two biometric photos taken within the last six months
What Are the Experience Requirements for License Classes?
Certain license classes require applicants to have prior driving experience in another class. The 2022 experience requirements are as follows:
For A class license;
- Holding an A2 license for two years is required unless the applicant is 24 years old or older, in which case this requirement does not apply.
For C1, C, D1, D classes;
- Holding a B license for two years is required.
For CE class;
- Holding a C license is required.
For C1E class;
- Holding a C1 license is required.
For DE class;
- Holding a D license is required.
For D1E class;
- Holding a D1 license is required.
Which Regulations Define License Requirements?
The conditions and requirements for driving licenses are established under the Highway Traffic Regulation.
The regulation references the following legal provisions related to license eligibility:
- Articles 188, 190 and 191 of the Turkish Penal Code
- Article 4, paragraph 7 of the Anti-Smuggling Law (No. 5607)
- Provisions of the Firearms and Knives Law (No. 6136), including Article 12 and related paragraphs
These provisions shape the rules for obtaining and using a driving license, and applicants are expected to comply with them.
What Is a Probationary (Stajyer) License?
Probationary license rules apply when a driver accumulates 75 penalty points within two years, resulting in suspension of the license. The driver must then undergo a psychotechnical evaluation. After obtaining the psychotechnical certificate, the driver must reapply to a driving school and complete the licensing process again.
What Are 75 Penalty Points?
Seventy-five penalty points represent the sum of points assigned for traffic violations committed by a driver. If a driver’s total license points reach 75, the license is suspended.
To avoid reaching 75 penalty points, drivers should be aware of the point values for common violations:
- Talking on the phone while driving equals 10 penalty points.
- Running a red light equals 20 penalty points.
- Not wearing a seat belt equals 15 penalty points.
- Exceeding the speed limit equals 10 penalty points.
- Driving a vehicle without a valid inspection equals 10 penalty points.
- Parking in prohibited areas equals 20 penalty points.
- Ignoring pedestrian right-of-way equals 20 penalty points.
- Failing to follow lane rules equals 20 penalty points.
If a probationary driver complies with traffic rules for two years without accumulating the required points, their probationary status is removed without further action or fees.
How Long Does the Licensing Process Take?
The licensing process includes enrollment in a driving school, training, exams, preparation of documents after successful exams, and issuance of the license.
The typical steps and estimated durations are:
- Register with a chosen driving school
- Theoretical training, typically lasting two weeks
- Waiting period for the electronic theory exam, usually about two weeks
- Practical driving training, typically scheduled for about one month
- Successful completion of the practical driving exam
- Preparation of required documents for the license
- Scheduling an appointment for license application
- Submitting the license application; timing depends on the applicant’s availability
- License production, which takes approximately one week
- Delivery of the license to the applicant’s address, usually within 4–5 days
How Much Were License Fees in 2022?
Applicants must pay a fee to obtain a license. These fees are updated annually at the beginning of the year.
License fees for 2022 were listed as follows:
| License Class | Vehicle Type | Total Fee |
| A, A1, A2 | MOTORBIKE, MOTORCYCLE |
738.20 TL |
| B, B1, B Automatic | CAR | 1,484 TL |
| C1, C, CE, D1, D, G | TRUCK TRACTOR UNIT BUS HEAVY EQUIPMENT |
2,230 TL |
| F – B Disabled | TRACTOR DISABLED VEHICLE |
738 TL |
| International | 743 TL |
First-time applicants and drivers upgrading to a higher license class paid the above fees in 2022.
Which Banks Accept the 2022 License Fee Payment?
The license fee, payable under agreements with the Ministry of Finance and the Police Department, can be deposited at the following banks:
- Akbank
- Aktifbank
- Albaraka Türk
- ING Bank
- Kuveyt Türk
- Şekerbank
- Halk Bankası
- Vakıfbank
- TEB
- Garanti Bankası
- Denizbank
- PTT
- Ziraat Bankası
- QNB Finansbank
The 2022 license fee could also be paid via online banking.