Subscribe to RSSThe Unofficial Guide To Driving In Turkey.
Driving in Turkey has got itself that much of a reputation that if you do it as a foreigner, you are completely mad! Many first time visitors to Turkey will stand on the pavement( if there is one) for about five minutes just staring at the traffic. Their mouths fall open and they seem to think their eyes are playing a trick on them. They are not. Ever heard of when in Rome do as the Romans do. Well here is my guide on how to survive driving in Turkey.
1 –Right of way. Never assume that you have right of way, even if the law says you do. Right of way will depend on whether the other driver is in a rush, has a dentist appointment or he just assumes he is the only driver on the road.
2 – Traffic lights. It will soon become clear that when driving in Turkey, traffic lights are a waste of time and money. No one pays attention to them , unless a police car has pulled up besides them. If you decide to pay attention to the lights, then be ready for a line of cars behind you, hooting their horns when the lights turn from red to orange.
3 – Indicators are simply put in cars to confuse the driver. They have no purpose on earth what so ever. So what if the other driver can not anticipate your next move. It keeps them on their toes. Even if you use your indicator to turn left, expect the driver behind you to overtake you on the left to go straight ahead. Remember indicators are useless.
4 – Roundabouts. Approach them at your own peril. Know that the person on the inside lane will suddenly cut across in front of you, to turn off. Know that when you are coming off the roundabout, there will be a pedestrian crossing there. When you nearly run the pedestrian over, you will get a round of abuse from them, as well as the other drivers who have gone into the back of you.
5 – Mopeds are a world unto their own. Drive a moped without a helmet and you will only be stopped by the police if he is bored and has nothing else to do. Under no circumstances should you point out to the police officer, that he does not wear a helmet himself.! If you want to fit your whole family on the moped and drive into town, then feel free to do so, you will just be keeping up with the Joneses.
6 – Maps. Never attempt to get from A to B by using a map. They are non-existent in Turkey and the ones that are sold are twenty years out of date. If you ask any local shop keeper, they will draw directions on a napkin, which he will then use to wipe the sweat off his forehead.
7 – Social behavior. If our friend is driving towards you from the opposite direction then it would be rude not to say hello. You must stop the car in the middle of the street, wind down the window and discuss how the family is doing. If any cars behind you start beeping their horns, don’t worry because karma will catch up with them.
8 – Parking is an interesting concept of which you will never get your head around. There are either a lot of parking spaces or none at all. Feel free to ignore all parking spaces if you are in a rush though. Leave your car in the middle of the street with the engine running and door open, run into the shop, have a chat with the owner and then run back out to your car. Wave to all the frustrated drivers who have lined up behind you, get in your car and simply drive away.
9 – Speeding. Whilst traveling on a long journey, you will see cars flashing their head lights at you. This is to warn you that a speed camera is ahead. The speed camera is actually a police man sat in a plain car which is meant to be discretely hidden. Resist the temptation to wave at him when you drive past.. Around 1000 meters up the road will be another marked police car, who may stop you depending on whether his wife let him have marital nuptials then night before. An on the spot fine will be issued of which the police officer will add another 50 lira, so that he can take his mistress out to dinner.
10 – If you can master all the above then you are confident in the fine art of driving in Turkey. Driving in Turkey is a wonderful way to see the country and after a couple of hours on the road, you will feel like you are at home. One last tip is to remember we drive on the right here. Enjoy yourself.
Hi. My name is Natalie and I am the author of The Turkish Travel Blog. You can follow me on Facebook. Got something to add? Let me know what you think by filling in the comments box below. If you want to be notified of when I publish new posts, subscribe to my newsletter. Till the next time...happy travels.
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24 Comments
http://turkey.usembassy.gov/driver_safety_briefing.html
This is the revised driving briefing from the consulate. It’s not as funny as it used to be, but it’s still funny because it’s so deadpan.
In the Ramazan warning at the bottom, they forgot to mention drivers turn into insane, angry arses (more than usual, I mean) because they’re grouchy from lack of food, tea, and cigarettes. The most terrifying time to be on the road is in the 30 minutes before iftar.
Also, it’s okay to stop your car in the middle of the freeway to gawk at something, or to start a fight with another driver. Be sure to bring your tire iron! It’s also okay to make your wife drive even though she has no training or license. Let’s not forget pushing your children out ahead of you when you want to jaywalk on a busy street or on the freeway. Hanging CDs make attractive interior car decorations because they reflect the sun and blind other drivers. Oooh, shiny! Most importantly, in any sort of inclement weather, it’s totally okay to completely forget how to drive.
Ha ha I read your link stranger. Surprised to see that on the US embassy website. This was my favorite part.
“Drive each day as though you were on a mission, the goal of which is not to be involved in an accident, cause an accident, or strike a pedestrian.”
Love this…I just tweeted it. No matter how many times I have been to Turkey and no matter how long I stay, I can never get up the nerve to drive. I live in Miami where the drivers are notoriously bad, but Istanbul takes the cake! great site!
Thanks Turkish Wine. Does good to have a humorous look at these things some time.
Guess I’ll be walking!
Ah Jen. Give it a go if you find yourself in one of the small villages. I only refuse to drive in the big cities like Izmir, Antalya or Istanbul.
Antalya is where I am going! Scarey!!!
LOL. I put my foot in there didn’t I?
Antalya does have a good bus system though!
Natalie, can you email me privately? I have alot of questions I’d prefer not to ask on here.
Hi Jen, I have removed your email address as you might get hit by spammers. I can see your address from the comment form though so sending you an email now.
I found your site from aol and it’s also superb. Thankx for offering such an incredible post…
Funny! I definitely can attest to all of these things being true. I love the roundabouts. Total chaos! And, the 5 person families piled on little scooters along with a large appliance that they just purchased was priceless!
Hi Kim. You’ve seen the scooter pile up then.It is funny and then at other times, I think just pure stupid!
Very nice read Natalie, but though many of the points, I must admit, are true for small towns, some don’t really apply anymore in big cities like Istanbul. It is I’m sure scary for foreigners nevertheless to drive in Istanbul, but traffic lights (this one I was surprised to hear), parking and indicators can’t be argued to be issues. I see very few who pass on red lights, improperly parked cars get mercilessly towed away and indicator use, though it still needs improving, is not that much of an issue. I have to argue that police force has gone through a big cleaning and the part about adding 50 lira extra is impractical as the police officers can not just take away money without fully documenting it, and they as I remember no longer get percentages from tickets. Maybe 10 years ago, as a bribe instead of writing a ticket… From my own experience driving in Istanbul is much like driving in New York. Just a little more unpredictable…:)
Forgot to say I liked the new look of your site. Nice layout and colors
Thanks Mehmet, Glad to know the big cities are better. I guess they have to be though as there are more chances of accidents. I have to admit that I refuse to drive in Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya or Ankara. I prefer my small little fishing village! Glad you like the new look!
Oh, this post is quite humorous and something I can relate to very well. Having spent nearly a year backpacking in Asia I came back home to Canada and was shocked to find cars stopping for me at the cross-walk – talk about reverse culture shock!!!
Nomadic Samuel recently wrote about..Varanasi | Ghats | India | Part 4 | Travel Video
Nomadic Samuel – I am due for a visit to the Uk this winter, I think I will experience the same shock as you!
Great observations! One of the first things I’m sure we all take note of when visiting a new destination is the roads and driving. Every country is just a little, or a lot different. I especially loved your point #7 as the culture comes through – in the form of driving!
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After months of driving round INdonesia, I thought Europe had little to scare me. Now I’m thinking again.
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Hi Natalie – great post! I cracked up laughing. It seems that basically drivers in Turkey just seem to go out of their way to annoy others as best they can, before skilfully dodging the police for a laugh!
HI Ryan, Glad you liked the post. Best of it, the police are sometimes the culprits of bad driving as well!
I have been driving in Istanbul for 2 yrs, and I am still alive to tell this tale ….. DRIVE at your own peril. In UK you assume all drivers are idiots… here you know they are …. driving here makes me smile laugh and get annoyed. everyone one is in a rush to get somewere but because the road system is crap the drivers are crap no one gets anywere fast , except an hospital ward.
Love it Troy – Perfect way to describe it!