Turkish Driving Licence Translation UK (Certified)
Need your Turkish driving licence (sürücü belgesi, commonly called an ehliyet) translated into English? I provide certified translations for car hire companies, insurers, employers, solicitors and UK courts, covering both sides of the card. Translations start from £30, with a standard 1–2 business day turnaround.
Why a UK-based Chartered Linguist? Every certified translation is done and signed by me personally — no subcontracting — with free correction if a UK authority rejects it over a translation issue, and signed copies posted anywhere in the UK. Find out why it matters.
Driving in Great Britain on a Turkish licence
If you have come to live in Great Britain, you can normally drive on a valid Turkish licence for up to 12 months from when you became resident. Türkiye is not one of the countries whose licences the DVLA will exchange, so a Turkish licence cannot be swapped for a GB one. To keep driving after 12 months you need to apply for a provisional GB licence and pass the theory and practical tests. A translation does not change any of this — but while you are driving on your Turkish licence, plenty of organisations will want to understand what it says. Check the current rules on GOV.UK before relying on them.
When you need a certified driving licence translation
- Car hire. Rental companies need to see your categories and expiry date; some ask for a translation, some for an International Driving Permit.
- Car insurance. Insurers often want proof of how long you have held a full licence, which the issue dates on a Turkish card show.
- Employers. For delivery, driving or field-based jobs, where your entitlement and driving history are checked.
- Solicitors and courts. After an accident, a road traffic matter or an insurance dispute.
- Identity checks. A Turkish licence card carries your T.C. identification number and is sometimes used as supporting ID.
Which Turkish licence do you have?
- Credit-card style licence (issued from 2016). Issued by the civil registry (Nüfus Müdürlüğü), in the same format as EU licences. The front shows your name, date and place of birth, issue and expiry dates, issuing office, licence number and T.C. identification number; the back lists each vehicle category (B, A2, C and so on) with its dates and any restriction codes. Both sides are translated.
- Older paper or laminated licence. Issued before the switch, often by the traffic police. These are still seen and I translate them in the same way.
- Driving record extracts. If you need to show penalty points or driving history, an e-Devlet printout can be translated alongside the licence.
Category codes, restriction codes and dates are reproduced exactly as they appear, so the recipient can match the translation to the card line by line.
Going the other way: a UK licence in Türkiye
If you hold a UK licence and need to drive in Türkiye as a resident, the Turkish authorities expect a Turkish translation approved by a Turkish notary or consulate. That is a sworn translation (noter onaylı tercüme) made in Türkiye or through the consulate, and a UK certified translation will not do. I can explain the steps — see certified English to Turkish translation — but I will tell you plainly if a UK translation is not what you need.
What’s included
- A full translation that mirrors the layout of your document, including stamps, seals, barcodes and reference numbers
- A signed and dated certificate of translation confirming accuracy
- My Chartered Linguist (CIOL) and ITI membership details, so the recipient can check who I am
- Digital delivery (PDF with digital stamp) as standard; a posted hard copy with embossed stamp and wet signature on request (+£15 per order), sent by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery
Turnaround and pricing
Driving licence translations start from £30 per one page document — front and back of the card together count as one document — with a standard turnaround of 1–2 business days. A posted hard copy is £15 extra per order.
How it works
- Send a clear scan or photo of the front and back of your licence through the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp, and tell me where it will be submitted
- Receive a fixed quote and delivery date, usually within a few hours during working hours
- Get your certified translation as a PDF, with a posted hard copy if the recipient needs paper
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my Turkish driving licence for a UK one?
No. Türkiye is not a designated country for licence exchange, so the DVLA will not swap it. You can normally drive on it for up to 12 months after becoming resident in Great Britain, then you need to pass the GB tests.
Will a translation let me drive for longer than 12 months?
No. A translation explains your licence to the people who need to read it; it does not extend how long you can drive on it.
Do you translate both sides of the card?
Yes. The back carries your vehicle categories, their dates and any restriction codes, which is usually what a hire company or insurer actually needs.
Will a car hire company accept the translation?
Each company sets its own rules. Many accept a certified translation; some insist on an International Driving Permit issued in Türkiye. Check with the hire company before you travel.
Do you need the physical licence?
No. A clear photo of both sides is enough.
How much does it cost?
From £30 for both sides of the card, delivered as a PDF with a digital stamp and a signed certificate of translation, in 1–2 business days. A posted hard copy with a wet signature is an additional £15 per order.
Why should I use a qualified translator for my certified translation?
In the UK, anyone can call themselves a certified translator. If the organisation receiving your document can’t verify who translated it, they may reject it — which can mean delays and paying twice. Choosing a translator who belongs to a recognised body such as the CIOL or ITI gives your translation credentials that anyone can check.
How can I check your credentials?
I’m a Chartered Linguist and member of the CIOL (no. 42759) and a qualified member of the ITI (no. 8695). You can look me up in both bodies’ public directories, and my membership details appear on every certificate of translation I issue.
Get a quote for your driving licence translation — send a photo of both sides and I’ll come back with a fixed price and delivery date.
See also: Turkish criminal record certificate translation · Turkish birth certificate translation · Certified Turkish translation UK · All Turkish to English translation services
