What is a Divided Road (Bölünmüş Yol)?\n\nUnder the Turkish Highway Traffic Regulation published by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM), a divided road (bölünmüş yol) is defined as a highway where opposing traffic flows are physically separated from each other. This physical separation is achieved through structures such as guardrails, concrete barriers, raised medians, or green strips. \n\nThe primary engineering goal of a divided road is to eliminate the risk of head-on collisions, which are among the most severe traffic accidents. With over 29,000 kilometers of divided roads across Turkey, encountering this road type is highly common in both everyday driving and on the Turkish driving theory exam (MTSK e-sınav).\n\n## Default Speed Limits on Turkish Divided Roads\n\nSpeed limits on divided highways in Turkey depend on the specific type of vehicle you are driving. Unless local traffic signs indicate otherwise, the following default speed limits apply on divided roads:\n\n- Passenger Cars (Otomobil): 110 km/h\n- Buses (Otobüs): 90 km/h\n- Vans and Panel Trucks (Kamyonet): 85 km/h\n- Heavy Trucks (Kamyon): 85 km/h\n- Motorcycles (Motosiklet - Class L3): 90 km/h\n\nWhile 110 km/h is the legal maximum for passenger cars, drivers must always adjust their speed based on weather conditions, road surface quality, and traffic density. Furthermore, speed limits are frequently reduced near intersections, pedestrian crossings, or urban transition zones, which are marked clearly by speed limit signs.\n\n## Key Driving Rules and Lane Discipline\n\nNavigating a divided road safely requires strict adherence to Turkish road laws. Here are the core regulations you must follow:\n\n- Keep to the Right: On multi-lane divided roads (typically two lanes in each direction), drivers should occupy the right-hand lane under normal driving conditions. The left-hand lane is reserved primarily for overtaking slower vehicles.\n- Overtaking Rules: Once you have completed an overtaking maneuver in the left lane, you must return to the right lane as soon as it is safe to do so. Continuous occupation of the leftmost lane is a traffic violation.\n- No Crossing the Median: Crossing, driving over, or parking on the central median strip or physical barrier is strictly prohibited. If you miss your exit, you must proceed to the next designated intersection or roundabout to change direction.\n- U-Turns: Making a U-turn is only permitted at designated, sign-posted gaps in the median or at roundabouts. Attempting a U-turn at any other point is highly illegal and dangerous.\n\n## How Divided Roads Appear on the Theory Exam\n\nThe Turkish driving license exam frequently features questions regarding divided roads. These questions generally focus on identifying the road type from visual illustrations, calculating safe stopping distances at higher speeds, and knowing the precise vehicle speed limits. A common trick question on the exam involves confusing the speed limits of a divided road (bölünmüş yol) with those of a standard two-way highway (çift yönlü kara yolu) or a motorway (otoyol). Remembering that the default speed limit for a car is 90 km/h on two-way roads, 110 km/h on divided roads, and 130/140 km/h on motorways will help you answer these questions confidently.