What’s Changing for Driver’s Licenses Issued Before January 1, 2025, and How to Navigate the New Regulations?

The new Road Traffic Safety and Order Law No. 36 stipulates the following for cases where individuals holding a driver’s license issued before the effective date of this Law (January 1, 2025) wish to exchange or reissue their license:

A1 driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for an A-category license with the restriction that it only permits the operation of a two-wheeled motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of up to 175 cc or an electric motor with a maximum power of 14 kW.

An A2 driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for an A-category license.

An A3 driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a B1-category license.

An A4 driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a maximum load capacity of 1,000 kg, along with a certificate of legal knowledge enhancement in road traffic for operators of specialized motor vehicles.

A B1 automatic driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a B-category license with the restriction that it only permits the operation of an automatic car.

B1 and B2 driver’s licenses can be exchanged or reissued for a B or C1-category license, along with a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a maximum load capacity of 3,500 kg.

A C-category driver’s license remains unchanged and can be exchanged or reissued for the same category, along with a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a load capacity exceeding 3,500 kg.

A D-category driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a D2-category license and a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a load capacity exceeding 3,500 kg.

An E-category driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a D-category license and a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a load capacity exceeding 3,500 kg.

An FB2 driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a BE or C1E-category license and a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a maximum load capacity of 3,500 kg.

An FC-category driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a CE-category license and a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a load capacity exceeding 3,500 kg.

An FD-category driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a D2E-category license and a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a load capacity exceeding 3,500 kg.

An FE-category driver’s license can be exchanged or reissued for a DE-category license and a certificate to operate specialized motor vehicles, specifically for operating tractors with a load capacity exceeding 3,500 kg.

Driver’s License Categories:

Category A1: For operating a two-wheeled motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cc or an electric motor with a maximum power of 11 kW.

Category A: For operating a two-wheeled motorcycle with a cylinder capacity exceeding 125 cc or an electric motor with a power output exceeding 11 kW, in addition to the vehicles specified for an A1 license.

Category B1: For operating a three-wheeled motorcycle and the vehicles specified for an A1 license.

Category B: For operating a car with up to 8 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); a truck or specialized vehicle with a maximum designed weight of 3,500 kg; or a car specified for a B-category license to tow a trailer with a maximum designed weight of 750 kg.

Category C1: For operating a truck or specialized vehicle with a designed weight exceeding 3,500 kg but not more than 7,500 kg; a truck specified for a C1 license to tow a trailer with a maximum designed weight of 750 kg; or vehicles specified for a B-category license.

Category C: For operating a truck or specialized vehicle with a designed weight exceeding 7,500 kg; a truck specified for a C-category license to tow a trailer with a maximum designed weight of 750 kg; or vehicles specified for B, C1, and C-category licenses.

Category D1: For operating a car with more than 8 seats but not more than 16 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); a vehicle specified for a D1 license to tow a trailer with a maximum designed weight of 750 kg; or vehicles specified for B, C1, and C-category licenses.

Category D2: For operating a car (including buses) with more than 16 seats but not more than 29 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); a vehicle specified for a D2 license to tow a trailer with a maximum designed weight of 750 kg; or vehicles specified for B, C1, C, and D1-category licenses.

Category D: For operating a car (including buses) with more than 29 seats (excluding the driver’s seat); a sleeper bus; a vehicle specified for a D-category license to tow a trailer with a maximum designed weight of 750 kg; or vehicles specified for B, C1, C, D1, and D2-category licenses.

Category BE: For operating vehicles specified for a B-category license to tow a trailer with a designed weight exceeding 750 kg.

Category C1E: For operating vehicles specified for a C1-category license to tow a trailer with a designed weight exceeding 750 kg.

Category CE: For operating vehicles specified for a C-category license to tow a trailer with a designed weight exceeding 750 kg, or for operating a tractor-trailer.

Category D1E: For operating vehicles specified for a D1-category license to tow a trailer with a designed weight exceeding 750 kg.

Category D2E: For operating vehicles specified for a D2-category license to tow a trailer with a designed weight exceeding 750 kg.

Category DE: For operating vehicles specified for a D-category license to tow a trailer with a designed weight exceeding 750 kg, or for operating an articulated passenger vehicle.