I recently started driving here in Mersin having purchased a brand spanking new, beyaz (of course) Nissan Juke. I am finally an independent woman and can get out and about without having to catch 1, 2 or more dolmuş. This has the added bonus of being less likely to be sneezed on, kidnapped or generally treated like a second class citizen while travelling on the public buses here.
Because I am a kind and thoughtful blogger I have put together a few helpful hints for those of you who intend on driving here in Türkiye:
- When driving on the road use your horn – all the time. It seems that we have been wrongly instructed to only use the horn sparingly. Fallacy! Use your horn to show how happy you are, or how sad you are, or even how horny you are (get it. horn/horny). Rarely the horn is used to in agitation. Better to use your horn than your brakes (after all the horn will last longer).
- Pedestrian crossings are not actually for pedestrians. These black and white zebra style markings on the road is in fact a sign for us, the driver, to speed up. If some fool does try and cross my best suggestion would be to aim right for him. This has a two-fold effect. You get where you are going faster; and 2. You help him get a cardio workout. In fact you are doing him a favour and he will no doubt smile and wave to you when he reaches the other side of the road. This has happened to me often. The Turk tells me it is not waving but that is neither here nor there.
- When at a red light you are at liberty to disregard such red light. Instead you should think of your car as a chess piece and it is now your move. Manoeuvre your chess piece to the front of the lights so when the lights turn green (or orange) you can shoot out like Mario Andretti. If you do not play chess then be prepared to start using that horn (as mentioned above) and hit it as soon as the light change to show how happy you are.
- Left or right side of the road? Either. Whatever.
- Feel free to ignore those silly signs on the side of the road. You know the ones 50, 70 or even 120. These signs are not actually the speed limits they are signs that indicate how many pedestrians have successfully made it to the other side of the road (true!). The numbers never change because making it successfully across is a pipe dream.
- Another rule that was drilled into us while we were learner drivers and that should be totally disregarded here is using your mobile phone. In fact I stress to you that you must use your mobile while driving. Multi-tasking is a skill that should be utilised by you. I find that while driving you merely point your car in the direction that you want it to go and continue your chatting on your mobile or texting your cousin. Allah will get you to your destination. Or not.
Bonus hint – Seatbelts are an optional extra. Merely a suggestion by the manufacturer. And if you, like me, have a new car with that pesky alarm warning you of your impending death should you not wear your seat belt merely lock the seatbelt in place before you sit down (as suggested to me by my brother in law).
* Disclaimer: Some days my humor is lost on The Turk and so, on his advice, I disclose that this post should not be construed as instructions on the driving laws here in Türkiye or in any other country. You should always adhere to road rules in the country that you are visiting or live in and here in Türkiye “road rules” means “no rules” LOL!
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janeyinmersin 
Funny, oh so funny!
I discovered why everyone drives an automatic vehicle in NZ. It’s to leave the ‘gearshift hand’ free to hold the pie (or mobile phone, or cream cake etc etc).
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What I wouldn’t do for a meat pie! Yummy!
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Spot on! Thanks for sharing. Have been a driver here for 15 years and learned quickly. I think you’ve covered it all, although you forgot about that little gadget which looks like a stick near the steering wheel, mostly situated to the right, which if clicked up or down activates a little light at the back of your car – otherwise known as an “indicator” – however as this is of no use to you whilst inside your car it is not used too often or at all, although, it can be a handy little extra for such things as hanging your worry beads or scented tree air freshener on 😉
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Yes, yes, yes! I know! I think another post will be in order very soon.
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driving here is all about ‘penis points’ – lose it or get an extension piece! You forgot the law re: drinking and driving – if you have anyone else in the vehicle with you the mg level is zero!!! Nobody takes any notice of that either!
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Everyone in the US knows that the place to hit pedestrians is when they’re not on the crosswalk. No one questions the fact that they weren’t following the rules. 🙂
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Oh too funny!!! And even the comments are hilarious. My daughter and I were trying to cross the street in Toronto the other day (peaceful easygoing Canada) and I looked at her and said, “This is nothing. What about when we get to Cairo?” We will be taking our lives into our own hands there. Sounds like Egypt might have something in common with Turkey. Good luck driving there! I am sure a sense of humour helps!
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Absolutely brilliant! And TRUE! EVERY SINGLE WORD!! Kudos…now the serious end..after 25 years here and seeing no improvement..I nearly give up on these yay whos..it boggles my mind, really it does! that there arent a whole lot more accidents than there are currently..
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Yes the near misses are fascinating to witness. They are definitely praying to the right bloke because some of them are miracles!
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My addition would be when driving a moped or motorbike it is important to get as many people as you can on to it along with the kitchen sink…and you don’t need a helmet they are a fashion accessory…..
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Yes I think there will be a part 2 to this post!
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Good so far but you have not covered roundabouts, what to do when Allah causes a collision, and why not to use indicators, mirrors, etc (Because you might wear them out). And of course there is the annual contest to see who can smear the greatest amount of flesh on the road by only wearing shorts and flipflops on a scooter.
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Great
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Having just done 1700km in 3 days, I concur with the above, lol…. Tbh, I love driving here (weird I know). I find European driving so boring with all the rules that we of course conveniently ignore here 🙂
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Is the tailgating super bad there as it is in Oman? In order to let people know you want to pass them, apparently the trick is to ride up their a$$ until they move over. This should only be done at high speeds.
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Yes lol. Someone else wrote in my replies its all about the size of the penis! Im going to have to get one for myself I think.
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You are one funny lady just read this and I will go to work with a smile on my face honking my horn lol and ignoring red lights while ringing my wife
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I approve wholeheartedly!
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LOL, this was absolutely hilarious, but it’s all true. I have a Turkish background but (thank God) I was born and raised here in the Netherlands. I’m 39, and yet, so far I haven’t even thought about driving a car in Turkey. I really don’t think I will ever attempt such foolish things unless I lose my mind….
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Lol. You are safer jumping out of a plane without a parachute!
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