Drivers who hold a driving license and wish to operate commercial vehicles must obtain a certificate known as an SRC certificate. Holders of an SRC certificate may operate commercial vehicles without issues or administrative penalties when they meet the relevant requirements.
What Are the Requirements to Apply for an SRC Certificate?
To obtain an SRC certificate, applicants must meet several conditions. The main requirements are:
- Whether the applicant is eligible for exemption or must attend a course is determined first.
- According to the ministry’s criteria, those who received their driving license before February 25, 2003 can obtain an SRC certificate without taking a course or exam.
- Those who received their driving license after February 25, 2003 must complete the required course and pass the exam to obtain an SRC certificate.
- Applicants who obtained a Class B license before February 25, 2003 may apply for SRC2 and SRC4 certificates; holders of Class C or D licenses from before that date may apply for SRC2, SRC3, or SRC4 certificates. Holders of Class E licenses issued before that date may apply for any of SRC1, SRC2, SRC3, or SRC4.
- Class B license holders issued before February 25, 2003 are also required to show at least 90 days of insurance or Bağ-Kur premium payments close to that date.
- Applicants aged 65 or older are not eligible to apply for an SRC certificate.
- Those who do not meet the exemption criteria must attend a course totaling 30 hours. After the course, they must achieve at least 60% success in the ministry-administered exam (at least 30 correct answers out of 50) to obtain the SRC certificate.
What Are the SRC Certificate Categories?
SRC certificates are grouped into four categories. These categories are:
- SRC1: Professional qualification required for international passenger transport.
- SRC2: Professional qualification required for domestic passenger transport.
- SRC3: Professional qualification required for international freight and goods transport.
- SRC4: Professional qualification required for domestic freight and goods transport.
What Documents Are Required to Obtain an SRC Certificate?
Applicants must submit certain documents to the authority when applying. These include:
- Copy of national ID card
- Copy of driving license (for licenses issued before February 25, 2003, Class B, C, D and E must be presented)
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Copy of diploma
- Criminal record certificate to be submitted to the official authority
How Do You Apply for an SRC Certificate?
Where the process once could take up to 45 days, the updated system allows applications through the e-Government portal. After logging in with your national ID number and password, navigate to the SRC certificate section and complete all required fields accurately.
The questions you will need to answer include:
- Type of certificate requested
- Province where the driving license was issued
- District where the driving license was issued
- Driving license document number
- Driving license series number
- Mobile phone number
How to Obtain an SRC Certificate Without an Exam?
Those eligible to obtain an SRC certificate without an exam are people who received their driving license before February 25, 2003. These applicants must pay the SRC certificate fee. Once the fee is paid and the information is submitted via the e-Government portal, the SRC certificate can be issued.
How Much Is the Fee for an Exam-Free SRC Certificate?
Applicants eligible for an exam-free SRC certificate must pay the fee at designated banks such as Halkbank or Vakıfbank. For 2020, the fee was set at 25 TL.
How Is the Fee for an Exam-Free SRC Certificate Paid?
If paying the exam-free SRC fee at a Vakıfbank branch, visit the nearest branch. Halkbank also accepts payments at branches and offers the convenience of ATM payments.
To pay via ATM, follow these steps:
- Insert your card into the ATM.
- Go to the Bill and Institution menu.
- Select the “Fee” (Harç) option.
- Enter the province plate code.
- Select the “Road Transport SRC” menu.
- Enter your national ID number.
- Insert the fee amount into the ATM.
- Be sure to take and keep the payment receipt.
How to Obtain an SRC Certificate Through the Exam?
People who obtained their driving license after February 25, 2003 must complete the required course and pass an exam to receive an SRC certificate. First, applicants must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and prepare the required documents, then apply through the e-Government portal.
After completing the e-Government application, submit the documents to an approved training institution. Once an agreement is made, attend all scheduled course sessions. After finishing the course, candidates must take the ministry-administered exam during the officially announced periods.
Candidates who achieve at least 60% on the exam complete their training and become eligible to receive the SRC certificate. Those who fail the course or do not reach the required exam score must enroll and complete the course again.
How Many Course Hours Are Required for SRC Certificates?
Course hours required for applicants who obtained their driving license after February 25, 2003 vary depending on the SRC certificate type.
Required course hours are as follows:
- SRC1 (international passenger): 40 hours
- SRC2 (domestic passenger): 36 hours
- SRC3 (international freight and goods): 41 hours
- SRC4 (domestic freight and goods): 36 hours
How Much Does an Exam-Based SRC Certificate Cost?
Applicants who obtain an SRC certificate through a course and exam must pay their training institution a fee. Prices vary slightly between institutions, but average course fees are:
- SRC1 (40 theoretical hours): approximately 1040 TL
- SRC2 (36 theoretical hours): approximately 936 TL
- SRC3 (41 theoretical hours): approximately 1066 TL
- SRC4 (36 theoretical hours): approximately 936 TL
What Is the Practical Exam and How Is It Conducted?
The practical SRC exam is taken by candidates who finish the theoretical lessons and score at least 60% in the theory exam. During the practical exam, candidates are given 3 or 5 practical tasks and must answer at least half of them correctly.
Answers are compared against a prepared answer key and evaluated accordingly. Candidates who pass the practical exam receive the SRC certificate. Candidates who fail the practical exam have up to three additional attempts; passing any one of these attempts grants the SRC certificate. Those who fail all attempts must retake the theoretical training.