Obtaining Misafir number plates from Muğla
Whenever someone without Turkish citizenship purchases a vehicle in Turkey, they are required to get “Misafir” (guest) number plates, which are identified by the middle letters of the plate starting with an M – e.g. MA, MB etc.
These special plates can only be obtained from the police headquarters of the district's administrative city - for Bodrum. this means a trip to Muğla. This process can be done in two ways;
- Hire a “Takipçi”
With this process you will need to hand over documentation for your vehicle to a fixer (takipçi), who will visit Muğla on your behalf to obtain the new plates. Note that unless you travel with the takipçi, you may need to sign power of attorney (or equivalent), allowing them to sign in your absence. Also note that your vehicle will need to be off the road as soon as you give your old plates to the Takipçi.
Estimated cost: 300-600TL
- Do it yourself.
It’s not quite as daunting as it sounds. Muğla is less than 2 hours’ drive (110km) from central Bodrum, and costs around 20-30TL return by coach.
Estimated cost: 50TL (excluding travel expenses).
Do it yourself guide
Below is the procedure to obtain a new number plate yourself in Muğla. It is accurate as of October 2011. Note: If your car already has 'Misafir' in your name, then no change is required.
Documents taken:
- Vehicle description document (single A4 sheet with vehicle description – obtained from notary when buying vehicle)
- Vehicle registration documents (‘ruhsat’, also referred to as the blue book)
- Residency book
- Passport
- Old number plates
- Purchase document (with notary receipt) – perhaps not required?
- Go to the new Muğla district Police Headquarters building (Muğla Emniyet Müdürlüğü), which is located just south of the town centre (map).
- Go to the traffic police office at the far right corner of the ground floor
- Just inside the door – located at a small table on the right with an electric typewriter – is a representative from the Muğla drivers association (Muğla Kamyoncu Otomobilci ve Şoförler). Give your documents to this representative who ‘formalises’ the vehicle documentation ready to present to the police desk. Charge: 20TL, receipt given.
- Once you have the formal vehicle documentation, head for any of the desks located opposite the door you walked in through. Give all your paperwork to them, not forgetting your old number plates. Charge: 0TL
- After a short wait – either at the desk, or after you’ve been called back up – you’ll be given (some of) your documents back including the new registration documents (which you should check for accuracy before leaving), along with a piece of paper required to get your number plates. Charge: 0TL
- You now need to get your plates printed at the Mugla drivers association office (Muğla Kamyoncu Otomobilci ve ŞoförlerOdası). This office is tricky to find, but is located just behind the Muğla Belediyesi building in the middle of Muğla town (about 20mins walk, or a 5 minute drive) (map). It’s a small anonymous building, located down a small anonymous side-street (Ikizler Sokak). Look for two small brown doors together – you should see the crest of the association. Go through the right hand door, straight up some stairs to the desk at the back. Hand them the paper from the Police office, and they’ll produce your plates while you wait (made in the building next door). Charge: 30TL, receipt given.
You’re done.
Total price: 50TL (excluding travel expenses).
Total time: 1.5 hours (assuming an early start from Bodrum gets you to Muğla around 9.30am otherwise it will vary hugely depending on queues at the office, and don’t forget the offices will be closed over lunch time).