Is the Turkish SRC valid in the EU, or do you need Code 95?
The Turkish SRC certificate does not replace Code 95 for drivers employed by EU-established hauliers under Directive (EU) 2022/2561.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
No. The Turkish SRC does not replace Code 95. A driver employed by an EU-established haulier needs Code 95 under Directive (EU) 2022/2561, while drivers of Turkish hauliers on Turkish trucks appear to fall outside it. Germany has allowed the accelerated basic qualification theory exam in Turkish since 2026-08-18.
Does the SRC replace Code 95 in the EU?
No. The SRC (Mesleki Yeterlilik Belgesi) is a Turkish professional competence document, and SRC 3 covers international goods transport under the Turkish regulation on professional competence training . Code 95 is the harmonised Union code that Member State authorities mark on a driving licence or driver qualification card, and Directive (EU) 2022/2561 requires every Member State to recognise it. We found no EU or German source that accepts the SRC as a substitute.
| Document | Issued by | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| SRC 3 | Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, via authorised bodies | Professional competence for international goods transport under Turkish rules, not an EU qualification |
| Code 95 / EU Driver CPC | EU Member State authority (Germany: state authority after the exam at the IHK, the chamber of industry and commerce) | Drivers within the Directive scope, recognised across the EU, with 35 hours of periodic training every five years |
| Turkish CE licence | Turkish licensing authority | Driving entitlement only, no professional qualification |
| German CE licence after tests | German licensing authority | Entitlement only; Code 95 is still needed separately if the employer is EU-established |
Who needs Code 95: a Turkish haulier's driver or an EU employer's driver?
The employer decides. Article 1(b) of the Directive covers third-country nationals "employed or used by an undertaking established in a Member State", and German law mirrors that scope. A Turkish national hired by a German haulier therefore needs Code 95, and Article 9 says the initial qualification is obtained in the Member State where that undertaking is established or that issued the work permit. Our guide for non-EU drivers looking for truck jobs in Europe covers the wider hiring route.
A Turkish haulier is not an undertaking established in a Member State. Our reading is that its drivers on Turkish-registered trucks are not named in Article 1, but this is an interpretation of the text, not an official statement, and we found no ministry statement either way. Confirm your position with your employer and the authority in the country you drive in.
What changed in Germany on 2026-08-18 for Turkish-speaking candidates?
Since 2026-08-18, the theory exam of the accelerated basic qualification, previously German only, can also be taken in Albanian, English, Modern Standard Arabic, Croatian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, or Ukrainian, according to the DIHK . That is one exam, not Code 95 itself: Code 95 is the proof entered after you pass. The DIHK page also said the question catalogue was not translated for now, so ask your local IHK before booking. More detail is in our post on the German driver qualification reform .
Frequently asked questions
Is the SRC belgesi recognised in Germany?
We found no source that recognises it as a driver qualification. A driver employed by a German haulier needs Code 95, obtained in the state where the employer is established or the state that issued the work permit.
Do I need Code 95 to drive a Turkish-registered truck through Germany for a Turkish employer?
On our reading of Article 1, no, because the employer is not established in a Member State. This is an interpretation, so check your permit type and your employer's position before you rely on it.
Can I take the Code 95 exam in Turkish?
Only the theory exam of the accelerated basic qualification, since 2026-08-18. No source we checked says periodic training is available in Turkish.
Can I swap my Turkish CE licence for a German one?
Turkey does not appear in Annex 11 of the German driving licence regulation (FeV), the list of countries whose licences can be exchanged, so exchange on that route is not available and new tests are needed.
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