Application methods for the International Driving Permit (IDP), documents required for online applications, validity period, common mistakes and a step-by-step process.
How to get an international driving licence: You apply to the Turkey Touring and Automobile Club either in person or online. The official name of the document is the International Driving Permit (IDP). Your national driving licence must have at least 1 year of validity remaining. The IDP is valid for 1 year from its date of issue.
In brief
- The authority to issue IDPs belongs to the Turkey Touring and Automobile Club; applications are made in person or online.
- Your national licence must have at least 1 year of validity remaining; the IDP is valid for 1 year from its issue date.
- Online applications are open only to holders of a Turkish (T.C.) driving licence and require a barcoded e-Devlet PDF.
- The document is intended for those temporarily present in the destination country; verify the rental company's terms before booking.
The essence of the international driving permit: who issues it, how long is it valid?
The international driving licence is not a separate driving test. Officially called the International Driving Permit (IDP), it is a document issued for drivers who will drive abroad. In Turkey, the authority to issue this document belongs to the Turkey Touring and Automobile Club. You do not need to apply anywhere else.
The basic rules are brief:
- There are two methods of application: in person (by visiting Touring offices) or online.
- Your national driving licence must have at least 1 year of validity remaining for the application.
- The IDP is valid for 1 year from its date of issue.
- For the document to be usable, you must be temporarily present in the destination country, not permanently residing there.
The last point is often overlooked. If you are planning to settle abroad, the IDP is not the solution for you; you need to look into that country's own driving licence rules.
This page does not provide figures or lists regarding which countries accept the document under which conditions. Check the official sources of the country you are travelling to, and if you will be renting a car, check the rental company's current terms before booking. For fees as well, refer to Touring's current rate schedule; no amount is given on this page.
Online application: required documents
The online application service is offered only to holders of a T.C. driving licence. Before filling out the form, prepare the following documents:
- A legible copy of the front and back of your T.C. driving licence.
- A barcoded official PDF document obtained on the date of application from the "Driver Penalty Information Barcoded Document Query" step on e-Devlet.
- A photograph sized 35 mm x 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months, on a plain light grey or white background.
- Your mobile phone number and email address.
The barcoded document must be obtained on the date of application. Do not upload a PDF from a previous day; query and download it again on the day of application. The most common sticking point in the photo is the background colour and proportions. When getting your passport-style photo taken, tell the studio the size and background colour in advance.
If the form is completed fully, submitted and approved, the document is issued by TURİNG Headquarters and sent physically. Documents issued through the online application are delivered to you via PTT. We do not provide a figure for delivery time; plan your travel dates accordingly and check Touring's official announcements for the current timeframe.
In-person application and the difference between the two methods
For an in-person application, you visit Touring offices. The online method, on the other hand, is done from home but has its own conditions: it is open only to holders of a T.C. driving licence and requires all documents to be ready digitally.
Who is the online method suitable for?
- Those who do not want to visit an office.
- Those who can prepare documents digitally.
- Those who can wait for the document to arrive by PTT.
Who is the in-person method suitable for?
- Those unsure about their documents.
- Those filling out the form for the first time.
- Those who want to submit the application in person.
For office addresses, working hours, the full list of documents required for in-person applications and delivery times, check Touring's official page. We do not give these figures here, as they may change. Calling the office beforehand to confirm the document list reduces the risk of having to go a second time.
If you are planning a short holiday, apply early. For example, if you are preparing a route abroad for the October 29th holiday, factor in the risk of the document not arriving in time from the start. An online application made at the last minute is particularly risky because of the postal stage.
Exceptions and common mistakes
Do not assume the IDP is sufficient in every situation. The mistakes below can lead to the application being returned or the document being useless.
- Not checking the validity of the national licence. Your national driving licence must have at least 1 year of validity remaining for the application.
- Uploading an old barcoded document. The e-Devlet document must have been obtained on the date of application.
- Submitting the photo in the wrong size or background. The 35 mm x 45 mm ratio, plain light grey or white background, and the 6-month rule are all required together.
- Uploading an illegible copy. The front and back of the driving licence must be clearly visible.
- Providing incomplete contact information. A mobile phone number and email address are mandatory.
- Ignoring the permanent residence condition. The document is intended for those temporarily present in the destination country.
- Not factoring in the duration. The document is valid for 1 year; for long trips, compare the expiry date with your return date.
Acceptance conditions may vary by country and company
This page does not list which country requires IDPs under which conditions. Car rental companies may also impose additional requirements; learn about conditions such as age, years of experience, and payment method from the company's current rules before booking. If unsure, check the current rules of your airline or rental company.
Step-by-step application
- Check the rules of the country you are travelling to. Find out whether the IDP is required there and what the rental company's terms are.
- Check the validity of your national licence. It must have at least 1 year of validity remaining.
- Choose your application method. Visit a Touring office, or if you hold a T.C. driving licence, apply online.
- Prepare the documents. A copy of the front and back of the licence, a barcoded e-Devlet PDF obtained on the day of application, a 35 mm x 45 mm photo, a mobile phone number and an email address.
- Fill out the form completely. Make sure the information matches what is on your driving licence.
- Wait for approval. If the application is approved, the document is issued by TURİNG Headquarters.
- Receive the document. For online applications, the document arrives via PTT; when the package arrives, check the name, surname and date information.
Do not make a non-refundable rental reservation before the document is in your hands. Read the terms at the time of booking. For current information on duration and fees, refer to Touring's official page.
Don't forget your pre-flight paperwork arrangements either. Reviewing the online check-in process before your travel day saves time at the airport.
Pre-departure checklist and alternatives
List what you will put in your bag before the flight:
- Your T.C. driving licence and your IDP; carry both together.
- Your ID document and a visa if required.
- Your car rental reservation confirmation; the driver's name must match the name on the documents.
- A note comparing the IDP's expiry date with your travel dates.
- A printout of the rental company's age, experience and payment requirements.
- A short note summarizing the traffic rules of the country you are visiting.
Is renting a car mandatory?
Not on every route. In busy cities, organized transport may be more practical than getting around with your own car. Consider this when planning an Egypt route; think about intercity transport and in-city movement separately.
If you want to quickly handle the short distance on arrival and avoid the document process, a pre-arranged airport transfer is an option. This does not make the IDP unnecessary; it only resolves transportation for arrival day independently of the document. If you have left car rental for later days, make sure your document is ready.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get an international driving licence?
The authority to issue the International Driving Permit belongs to the Turkey Touring and Automobile Club. You can apply either in person at Touring offices or online.
How many years is an international driving licence valid for?
The document is valid for 1 year from its date of issue. If you are planning a long trip, compare the expiry date with your return date.
What documents are needed for an international driving licence?
For the online application, a copy of the front and back of the T.C. driving licence, a barcoded Driver Penalty Information PDF obtained from e-Devlet on the day of application, and a photo are required. The photo must be 35 mm x 45 mm, on a plain light grey or white background, and taken within the last 6 months. A mobile phone number and email address are also provided.
Can an international driving licence be obtained online?
Yes, but the service is offered only to holders of a T.C. driving licence. If the form is completed fully and approved, the document is issued by TURİNG Headquarters and delivered via PTT.
Does the validity of the national licence matter for the international driving licence?
Yes. Your national driving licence must have at least 1 year of validity remaining for the application. Check the expiry date on your licence before applying.
Can people living abroad use the international driving licence?
For the document to be usable, you must be temporarily present in the destination country and not permanently residing there. Also check the driving licence rules of the country you will be settling in separately.
Sources
My Travel Team
Travel Editor
The My Travel team prepares up-to-date travel, visa and tourism information and guides.
