All License Plate Codes in Turkey: Complete List by Province

All License Plate Codes in Turkey: Complete List by Province

License plate codes are one of the practical traffic information tools that show which province a vehicle is registered in. In Turkey, each province has its own two-digit code. The number at the beginning of the vehicle's license plate indicates the city where it is registered. License plate codes are frequently used to identify vehicles you see on the road, to research used vehicles, or to learn about cities.

What Do License Plate Codes Mean?

The license plate code system is used to distinguish provinces in traffic registration. For example, if a vehicle's license plate has 06, its registration province is Ankara. 34 indicates Istanbul, 35 indicates Izmir, and 07 indicates Antalya. Thus, the city to which the vehicle belongs is understood without the need for lengthy explanations.

The codes do not indicate the owner of the vehicle or the current place of use of the vehicle. They only indicate the official registration province. A vehicle may be used in another city, the owner may have moved, or the license plate may have been changed later. Nevertheless, license plate codes make it easier to get a first impression of the vehicle.

How Are License Plate Codes Determined?

License plate codes start from 01 and continue up to 81. The first code belongs to Adana, and the last code to Düzce. When the list was compiled, older provinces were listed alphabetically, and cities that became provinces later were added to the end. In short, the numbers do not follow a specific geographical direction on the map of Turkey. 

Knowing this distinction is helpful when learning the list. Aksaray is 68, Bayburt 69, Karaman 70, Kırıkkale 71, Batman 72, Şırnak 73, and so on. These cities are listed later in the license plate code list because they became provinces later.

How to Read the Provincial License Plate Code List? 

When reading the provincial license plate code list, it is sufficient to look at the first two digits. The letters and numbers following the plate are related to the registration system within the same city. So, every plate starting with 34 is associated with Istanbul; the following characters change according to the vehicle. 

The list is especially useful for exam preparation, general knowledge studies, vehicle transactions, and travel planning. It is not necessary to memorize the license plate codes individually. Starting with frequently used cities makes learning easier. Complete License Plate Code Table

The table below includes all 81 provinces. By examining the license plate codes and city names together, you can quickly find the province you are looking for.
 

What are the Types of Special License Plates?

License plate codes show the registration information of the province on standard vehicle license plates. However, some vehicles also have special license plate types that appear differently from the standard arrangement. License plates can have different characteristics due to their purpose of use, the preference of the vehicle owner, or the institution to which the vehicle is affiliated. 

Personalized license plates are prepared with letter and number combinations preferred by the driver. Generally, names, surnames, company abbreviations, or characters with special meaning are preferred. However, the license plate codes in the first two digits are preserved, and the vehicle's registration province is understood in the same way.

Official vehicle license plates are among the special license plate types used on institutional vehicles. Diplomatic plates, temporary plates, and disabled vehicle plates are also issued according to different purposes of use. Although special license plate types vary in appearance and use, they are subject to certain rules within the traffic registration system. 

The Most Frequently Asked About License Plate Codes

Some city codes are easier to remember. 34 Istanbul, 06 Ankara, and 35 Izmir are the best-known examples. These codes are encountered more frequently in large cities because of the high number of vehicles. 16 for Bursa, 07 for Antalya, 42 for Konya, and 01 for Adana are among the commonly seen traffic codes. 

Some codes are more easily confused. 33 is used for Mersin. Since the city's old name was İçel, some people may perceive this code differently. The codes are not affected by changes made to city names over time. The same is true for cities like Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa, and Afyonkarahisar.

Practical Methods for Memorizing License Plate Codes

When memorizing license plate codes, it can be difficult to learn the entire list at once. You can start with the city you live in. Then you can add neighboring provinces, cities you frequently visit, and major cities. This way, the list will stay in your mind in a more natural order.

Another method is to proceed by region. Studying the Aegean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, or Central Anatolian provinces separately supports memory. Guessing which province the license plates seen on long journeys belong to is an enjoyable activity. 

Why Do License Plate Codes Attract Attention When Buying a Car?

When researching used cars, license plate codes are one of the first details most people look at. The province where the vehicle is registered can give an idea about its usage history. However, it is not correct to draw definitive conclusions from the license plate alone. Expertise, damage history, maintenance information, and official records should be evaluated together. 

For example, a vehicle with a 34 license plate is registered in Istanbul. However, it is not possible to say that the vehicle has always been used in Istanbul. The owner may live in another city, or the vehicle may have been used on different routes. License plate codes help in research; they are not the only decision criterion.

Common Misconceptions About License Plate Codes

License plate codes do not indicate where a vehicle was manufactured. A car may have been manufactured in another country or city. The first two digits of the license plate only indicate the province of registration in Turkey.

The idea that the license plate code definitively shows which city the vehicle is currently being used in is also incorrect. Even if a vehicle is registered in a different province, it may have been used in another city for a long time. License plate codes only show the official registration province; they do not provide clear information about the vehicle's daily use on their own.

The province code is also preserved in special license plates. The letter and number sections may change, but the first two digits still indicate the registration province. Thus, license plate codes remain standard.

Get to Know Turkey More Easily with License Plate Codes

License plate codes are one of the practical ways to identify cities in Turkey. The list, ranging from 01 to 81, associates each province with a short number. Every vehicle you see on the road actually gives you a little bit of city information. Knowing the list both strengthens general knowledge and makes your job easier in vehicle-related transactions. 

If you're planning to travel around Turkey city by city, renting a car that suits your needs before you set off will make things easier. By reviewing different vehicle options through Enterprise, you can more easily choose a vehicle suitable for short city trips or longer journeys.