Turkey is changing the way practical driving tests are conducted. The fixed routes that have been used for years, where candidates could become familiar with and effectively memorise the examination course, are gradually being replaced by a new system known as the free-route driving test.
Under the new system, candidates will have to drive in normal traffic rather than simply following a predetermined examination route. The changes are being introduced gradually under new regulations implemented by Turkey’s Ministry of National Education.
For foreigners living in Turkey who are planning to obtain a Turkish driving licence, the changes are particularly relevant.
Driving Tests Will Take Place in Normal Traffic
Under the previous system, candidates followed a designated examination route. The new free-route system changes this approach, with candidates beginning their practical examination in normal traffic and driving through the city, town or district where the test is being held.
This means that knowing the examination route will no longer be enough. Candidates will have to demonstrate that they can deal with actual traffic and make decisions while driving.
Salih Er, an official at a driving school in Eskişehir, described the change as a major development in the driving-test system. He explained that candidates will have to park between actual vehicles rather than simply carrying out parking exercises between cones or designated markers.
Parking Will Be Tested in Real Conditions
Under the previous system, parking exercises were carried out in a controlled area using markers or cones. Under the new system, candidates will have to park among real vehicles. The examination may also take candidates onto surrounding roads, where they will be expected to reach a specified maximum speed. Depending on the examination route, candidates could even be required to enter and leave shopping-centre car parks before completing the test.
The aim is to make the practical examination closer to the situations drivers encounter in everyday life.
The Driving Test Will Take Longer
The practical driving examination previously lasted approximately 35 minutes. Under the new regulations, the examination is expected to take around one hour.
The longer examination is a result of the wider examination route and the need to assess candidates in a greater variety of real traffic situations. Candidates will therefore spend considerably more time actually driving while being assessed.
Driving Training Will Increase to 24 Hours
The changes also affect driving instruction. Previously, practical driving training generally lasted between 14 and 16 hours. Under the new system, this will increase to 24 hours.
The wider examination route means candidates will need more training to prepare for different traffic conditions and driving situations. The aim is to ensure that new drivers are prepared for everyday driving rather than simply prepared to complete a familiar test route.
What Does This Mean for Foreigners?
For foreigners living in Turkey who are planning to obtain a Turkish driving licence, the change could make the practical examination more demanding. A candidate will no longer be able to rely primarily on knowing where particular manoeuvres take place on a fixed examination route.
Instead, they will have to demonstrate that they can drive safely and confidently in normal traffic. This is particularly relevant for foreigners who may already have driving experience in another country but need to obtain a Turkish driving licence.
The exact timing of the change may vary because the new system is being introduced gradually.
A Major Change to Driving Tests in Turkey
The move from fixed examination routes to a free-route system represents a significant change in Turkey’s practical driving tests. The examination will take longer, practical driving instruction will increase to 24 hours, and candidates will be assessed in more realistic traffic conditions.
For anyone planning to take a driving test in Turkey, including foreign residents, the message is simple: knowing the test route will no longer be enough. You will need to be able to drive in real traffic.
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