Anyone can own a vehicle in the Republic of Turkey. Prices for cars are quite high here, as are taxes on them. For example, when purchasing, you will have to pay the ÖTV luxury tax, which ranges from 45% to 220% of the cost of the vehicle depending on its engine capacity.
Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Turkey. Riders of mopeds must be at least 17, while motorcyclists must be aged 18 or over. Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted.
Import Duty and VAT: As mentioned earlier, you must pay import duty and VAT on your car when it arrives in Turkey. The amount you will need to pay can vary depending on the type and value of the car, but generally ranges from 50-90% of the car's value.
Question: What is the time limit for the vehicles entering Turkey within the scope of private use? Answer: The maximum time that the person can stay with his/her vehicle in Turkey is 730 days. These time limits are valid in case the person and vehicle stay abroad for 185 days.
You can import a car to Turkey in two ways: by land or by sea. In order to import a car by sea, the applicant must obtain authorization from a customs broker accredited by customs, as well as certify the documents from a notary public. The cost of temporary entry of a car to Turkey ranges from $2,500.
The fees for obtaining a driver's license in Turkey are approximately 4,400 T.L, which includes all fees except for the certificate collection fee of 1,400 Turkish Lira. If you fail the theoretical exam, you will need to pay an additional fee of around 220 Turkish Lira.
In order to sell a car with your native license plates, it must first be deregistered and then re-registered. These actions can only be carried out in the country where the vehicle is registered, i.e. in your native country. The consulate of your country cannot deregister or register cars in Turkey.
For example, the Maldives places a tariff on cars at approximately 111 percent. India also places a very high tariff on cars, coming in at around 106 percent. Iran is another country with very high tariffs placed on automobiles, coming in at approximately 90 percent.
You'll need to go to the Turkish Customs Directorate to pay your customs fee – this may be more than you expected. (See security deposit above.) Then, you'll need to register your vehicle at the provincial Traffic Registry Office, which will issue you with a foreign resident's license plate.
Passengers are free to bring items not exceeding 430 Euros in total real value, the limitation of which is not valid for goods brought through post or cargo transportation. Shipping cost is not included in taxing of goods taken by postal service or cargo transportation.
Emre Ali Demir
