Q As an operator of a small fleet of coaches in
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a university town, I have been asked by the Students Union if I will take a party of students to Turkey. Could you advise me about documentation, etc? A The documentation and other requirements for a coach tour to Turkey are relevant to two different areas. The first requirement concerns the regulations in force in the European Economic Community. In that case, if the vehicle contains seats for nine or more passengers, the driver must be over 21 years of age, and unless he has a psv or hgv driving licence he will need a certificate of driving experience from the traffic area office. To obtain this, he must have been driving for not less than one year.
During the journey the driver will have to observe the EEC driving hours regulations of eight hours driving, a break of 30 minutes after four hours driving, 10 consecutive hours rest, 48 hours maximum driving time a week and 24 hours minimum weekly rest period. A record must be kept in a control book. A journey control document will also be necessary which consists of a book of 50 waybills in duplicate; this is valid for five years. Both are obtainable from the traffic area office.
Outside the EEC it is not necessary to keep records of drivers' hours, but do not forget to recommence this on re-entry on the return journey.
It is advisable to obtain a carnet de passage before entering Turkey and essential to have an international driving permit.
Despite the dispensation about insurance green cards by many European countries it is prudent to obtain this cover.