Those Getting Driver's Licenses Flocked to Driving Schools: Costs Will Exceed 50 Thousand TL

Driven by expectations that the total cost of getting a driver's license will rise to the 50-55 thousand TL level in 2027 and concerns that exams will become harder, citizens flocked to driving schools; quotas in major cities were filled.

The expectation that the total cost of getting a driver's license will rise to the 50-55 thousand TL level in 2027 has mobilized citizens. While candidates wanting to avoid increased tariffs before the end of the year showed intense demand for driving schools, it was reported that course quotas in metropolitan areas like Istanbul and Ankara reached 100 percent occupancy.

The fact that fee and valuable paper charges will increase with revaluation rates in the new year, combined with driving school costs, has made owning a driver's license a serious budget item. Industry representatives state that candidates have been pounding on course doors in recent weeks to avoid being affected by a potential cost increase of 20 thousand TL. According to the report by Kaan Zenginli from Türkiye Gazetesi, while the total cost of holding a class B driver's license currently hovers around 30-35 thousand TL, it is projected that driving school fees alone will rise to 35 thousand TL in 2027.

Istanbul Driving Schools Federation President Murat Tekin noted that current course fees are in the 20-25 thousand TL band and will rise to 35 thousand TL in the new year. Meanwhile, Central Anatolia Driving Schools Federation President Serdar Tepeöz stated that occupancy rates in Ankara have reached 100 percent.

The expectation of price hikes is not the only reason for the intense demand; the beginning of a new era where candidates' driving skills in real traffic conditions will be measured instead of the rote-based fixed parkour application in steering exams is also effective on decisions. It is stated that due to cost concerns combined with the expectation that exams will become harder, citizens are registering for courses by taking out consumer loans or having installments made to their credit cards.