While Uber does not operate in Istanbul in the traditional sense, it does connect you with taxi drivers and you can pay with credit card via the app, which theoretically makes things easy. Let's go over my rides so that you can understand the source of my confusion.

It's best to avoid driving in big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara as traffic can be very chaotic. In central and eastern Anatolia, the roads are often in bad condition due to heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions. If you're driving at night, or in rural areas, watch out for livestock and unlit farm vehicles.

It is a legal requirement to have your driving licence and car hire documents with you. (An International Driving Licence is required only for countries with non-Roman alphabet. Or you can get a notorised copy in Turkish). It is also advisable to have your passport with you.

Driving in Turkey is very easy, especially compared driving in Mexico or even Morocco. The roads are good, the signage is clear, parking is straightforward, and navigation is simple. As an added bonus, driving in Turkey is a relatively cost-effective way to see the country.