How to Get a Category A1 Driving Licence in Turkey?

Turkey’s 2026 fee increases have pushed the all-in cost of an A1 license to somewhere around 20,000- 23,500 TL once you add course fees, exam charges, and state duties together, and if you already hold another license category, you skip the theory exam entirely. This piece covers what A1 authorizes at 16, current 2026 costs, and the exemption that matters if you’re adding A1 to an existing license.

What Category A1 covers

A1 authorizes two-wheeled motorcycles, with or without a sidecar, with cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, power not exceeding 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1, plus three-wheeled motorcycles with power not exceeding 15 kW. A1 holders can also ride Class M vehicles (motorized bicycles under 50 cc) without a license.

Minimum age

You need to be 16 to hold an A1. At 16, A1 and M are the only motorcycle classes you can apply for.

Where A1 sits in Turkey’s motorcycle system

Turkey runs M (16, mopeds under 50cc), A1 (16, up to 125cc/11kW), A2 (18, up to 35kW and 0.2 kW/kg), and full Category A (24 direct, or 20 with two years’ documented A2 experience, unrestricted power). Each higher class also carries riding rights for the classes below it.

If you already hold another license category

This is genuinely useful to know. If you already hold a driving license of any category, applying for A1 as a “difference” (fark) license exempts you from the written theory exam entirely; you only need to complete practical training and pass the practical (direksiyon) exam. This significantly shortens and cheapens the process compared to a first-time application.

The theory exam

For first-time applicants, the theory exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, with a passing threshold of 35 correct answers, within a 60-minute time limit. Questions are drawn from the Ministry of National Education (MEB) question banks and follow the same format across all A-group classes (M, A1, A2, A).

Documents you’ll need

• A “sürücü olur” health report from a general practitioner or specialist, after completing the Personal Health Information Form via e-Devlet (turkiye.gov.tr)
• An education certificate, obtainable from your school or electronically via e-Devlet
• A criminal record certificate, available free via e-Devlet
• A blood type document, from your GP or a health institution
• Payment receipts for the relevant fees, from tax offices or partner banks

What it costs in 2026

Costs run in several separate parts. State duty (harç) for A1, A2, and A classes together has been reported in the region of roughly 2,240- 4,570 TL, depending on when in 2026 you apply, given a mid-year revaluation adjustment; on top of this sits a document fee of around 1,690 TL and a foundation service fee of around 425 TL. Driving school course fees for A1 have run around 15,000–16,000 TL on average through 2026, with exam entry fees (theory and practical combined) adding roughly 2,900- 3,250 TL more. All told, a first-time A1 application has commonly landed somewhere between 20,000 and 23,500 TL in 2026, though this varies by city. Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir tend to sit at the higher end. If you’re adding A1 to an existing license, costs are meaningfully lower since you skip the theory course and exam.

Choosing a driving school

Price alone isn’t the best guide when comparing driving schools; the quality of instruction, condition of training motorcycles, and instructor experience all affect how smoothly you get through both exams. A school offering a noticeably lower price than competitors sometimes reflects lower training standards, which can mean needing supplementary private lessons later, ultimately costing more overall.

Automatic transmission

As with other systems in the region, testing on an automatic-transmission motorcycle typically restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only.

Upgrading from A1 to A2, and onward to full Category A

Progressive access from A2 to full Category A after two years’ experience requires only the practical exam, no course fee, and no repeat theory exam, making this the more cost-effective and lower-risk route compared to direct entry at 24 with no prior motorcycle experience.

The overall process and timeline

The typical sequence runs: enroll at a driving school, obtain your health report, complete theory and practical training, sit both exams, then apply at your local Nüfus Müdürlüğü (population registry office) to have the license issued. The whole process commonly takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on course scheduling and exam calendar availability.

Validity

Turkish driving licenses follow standard administrative validity periods, subject to medical fitness requirements.

Foreign residents and license exchange

Foreign license holders can generally exchange their license for a Turkish one, subject to standard identity and residency requirements. Confirm current requirements with the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Tips that actually help

• If you already hold any other license category, apply for A1 as a different license to skip the theory exam entirely.
• Budget for the full 2026 fee stack: state duty, document fee, foundation fee, exam fees, and course costs, rather than just the course price alone.
• If you’re planning to reach full Category A eventually, the A2-then-A progressive route is generally cheaper and safer than direct entry at 24.
• Complete your payments and applications early in the year if possible, since state duties tend to rise with periodic revaluation adjustments.

Where this fits going forward

A1 in Turkey costs meaningfully more in 2026 than in past years, but the difference-license exemption remains a genuine cost-saver if you already hold another category. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Turkey and the license eligibility pages provide a broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules change frequently in Turkey, particularly state duties, which are subject to periodic revaluation adjustments. Always confirm current requirements and exact fees with the official Turkish sources before making decisions: the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü). FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.