Can a South Korean Drive in Turkey? — IDP Required, €70 Fine
South Korea
Turkey
A South Korean licence holder needs an International Driving Permit to drive in Turkey — the national licence on its own is not accepted, so the IDP is required, not just recommended. Turkey drives on the right like Korea, so there is no side switch, but the driving culture is far more aggressive and a basic speeding fine runs around TRY 2,000 (≈ EUR 50).
Turkey is a long-distance driving country — the coastal roads down to Antalya and the Cappadocia highways reward having your own car. For a South Korean visitor the paperwork is stricter than you might expect, but the road side itself is familiar.
The licence verdict — the IDP is mandatory here
This is the key point: your South Korean licence on its own is not enough. Turkey requires an International Driving Permit to be carried alongside it, so for this corridor the IDP is genuinely required, not merely recommended. Get it from the Korean Automobile Association before you fly — you cannot obtain one once you are in Turkey. Your home licence covers visitor stays of up to 6 months. Carry the IDP, your Korean licence and your passport together; rental desks will ask for all three.
No side switch — but a faster, harder road culture
Both Korea and Turkey drive on the right, so there is nothing to relearn at junctions or roundabouts. What does change is tempo. Turkish driving is more assertive — lane discipline is loose, overtaking is bolder, and Istanbul traffic in particular is relentless. Treat your first drives defensively, leave bigger gaps than you would at home, and don’t expect indicators to mean much.
Speeds and the fine that catches tourists
Limits run 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways — slightly higher on the motorway than Korea’s 110. Enforcement is a mix of fixed cameras and mobile radar, and a basic speeding penalty is about TRY 2,000 (≈ €50), often payable on the spot. Fuel is roughly $1.15/litre.
Before you collect the car, confirm the permit rule with the Driving Permit Checker, read the full rules on our Turkey driving guide, and estimate any penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator. The emergency number is 112.
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
Renting a Car?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare Car Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
More Free Tools
Explore TyreMap
Winter tyres in Turkey — 2026–27 season
Winter tyres are required in Turkey whenever conditions are wintry — 15 Nov - 15 Apr (commercial passenger/goods vehicles: mandatory; private cars: not mandatory nationally, subject to provincial order).
- Tread minimum: 1.6 mm — Turkey sets no separate winter figure.
- Accepted marking: M+S
- Studded tyres: allowed
In Turkish the rule is kış lastiği, and snow chains are kar zinciri — that is the wording on signs, in hire-car paperwork and on any penalty notice.
Verified against national legislation, August 2026 · Full Turkey tyre law · Compare all countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. An International Driving Permit is required alongside your South Korean licence — the licence alone is not sufficient. Apply for the IDP in Korea before you travel; you cannot obtain one in Turkey.
Yes, both drive on the right, so there is no side switch. The real adjustment is the pace and aggression of the traffic, especially in Istanbul, rather than the side of the road.
A standard low-level speeding penalty is around TRY 2,000 (roughly EUR 70). Both fixed cameras and mobile patrols operate, and fines can be issued on the spot, so carry a card or cash.