The trainee license system prepared by the Ministry of Interior began to be applied with the amendment to the Highway Traffic Regulation in 2016. Candidates who wanted to obtain their licenses before the application was implemented were given a deadline of September 16, 2015, and Murat Tekin (President of Istanbul Driving Schools and Training Federation) announced that the law would come into force on January 1, 2016. The primary goal of the law is to reduce traffic accidents. Although the new rules do not make obtaining a license inherently more difficult, they may cause concern for candidates who have not yet received a license. The measures essentially reinforce rules that all drivers are already expected to follow while driving, adding requirements intended to improve attention and reduce errors. Violations result in penalty points, and starting in 2016 all new drivers will hold a trainee license for two years. Those who accumulate 50 penalty points within one year will have their trainee license invalidated, while reaching 75 points can result in losing the license entirely. In addition to penalty points, trainee licenses will be revoked for drivers who exceed speed limits, are found to be driving under the influence, or run a red light three times.
The introduction of this system and its new rules increased applications to driving courses and contributed to a rise in more informed, conscientious drivers. If a candidate’s license is revoked, they must undergo a psychological assessment (psychotechnical test). If they pass and receive the required certification, they may reapply to a driving school and pursue a new license.
Violations That Cause Trainee License Cancellation and Their Penalty Points
Running a red light: 20 points
Violating a no-parking zone: 20 points
Failing to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk: 20 points
Improper lane changes: 20 points
Not wearing a seat belt: 15 points
Using a mobile phone while driving: 10 points
Failing to obey speed limits: 10 points
Operating a vehicle that has not passed inspection: 10 points
License Renewal
Drivers who obtained their licenses before January 1, 2016, must renew them under the new regulation. Renewed licenses are valid in approximately 80 countries, and applicants must also confirm that they do not have any disqualifying health conditions. Holders of a Class B license must submit a health certificate every 10 years. For Class E licenses, this interval is set at five years.
New License Classes
Where previously there were nine license categories, the system expanded to 16 classes: A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, DE, M, F, G, and K. With drivers renewing their licenses as of 2016, lifetime licenses have been phased out. Candidates who declare they will drive only automatic vehicles will receive training and take the driving test using an automatic car. Drivers who obtain a license restricted to automatic transmission will not be permitted to drive manual vehicles. Driving test durations have been extended by five minutes, and candidates are allowed two stalls (stops) during the test. The minimum age for a B class license is 21, and primary school graduation is sufficient to sit for the license exam.
Class M licenses are for motorized bicycles (mopeds). Classes A, A1, and A2 cover motorcycle categories. Class B licenses are for cars, minibuses, or vans; Class C is for trucks; Class D is for tractor units; Class E is for buses; Class F is for wheeled tractors; and Class G is for candidates who wish to operate motorized construction machinery.
Age limits were revised: M, A1, and A2 classes require minimum age 16; A class (all motorcycles) requires 20; B1 (four-wheeled motor vehicles up to 15 kW) requires 16; B (car, van), BE (car with trailer), C1 and C1E (medium trucks/tractors), F (tractor), and G (construction machinery) require 18; C and CE (heavy trucks and tractors with trailers over 750 kg) and D1/D1E (minibuses with trailers over 750 kg) require 21; D (minibus, bus) and DE (bus with trailers over 750 kg) require 24.
The H class (licenses issued to people with disabilities according to their disability class) has been removed. Under the new regulation, drivers with disabilities must obtain either an A or B class license and will need to obtain new health board reports.
Checking Driver Penalty Points
Drivers who wish to check their penalty points can do so through the official e-Government portal. Another option is to use the General Directorate of Security’s online services. By entering the required personal information on these official platforms, drivers can view their current penalty point status.