SRC Certificate Types: SRC1 to SRC5

Short Answer — SRC Certificate

The SRC certificate (SRC belgesi) is the document proving the professional competence of drivers who carry passengers or goods for commercial purposes. There are five types: SRC1 is for international passenger transport, SRC2 for domestic passenger transport, SRC3 for international goods transport and SRC4 for domestic goods transport. SRC5 is the ADR training certificate for drivers carrying dangerous goods and is obtained in addition to the others.

Why is the SRC certificate separate from a driving licence?

A driving licence shows the right to drive the vehicle; the SRC shows the professional knowledge of the person who will use that vehicle in commercial transport. The training covers transport legislation, safe and economical driving, load securing, working and rest times, first aid and similar topics. The Road Transport Regulation (Karayolu Taşıma Yönetmeliği) requires drivers of vehicles within its scope to hold the certificate of professional competence prescribed by the relevant legislation. Drivers carrying dangerous goods are additionally required to hold a document proving their training.

What do the five SRC types cover?

Certificate	Scope	Typical work
SRC1	International passenger transport	Tour and scheduled coaches travelling abroad
SRC2	Domestic passenger transport	Intercity coaches, staff and school shuttles
SRC3	International goods transport	TIR trips between Türkiye and Europe, Russia, the Caucasus or Central Asia
SRC4	Domestic goods transport	Intercity trucks, distribution and short-distance haulage
SRC5	Dangerous goods transport	Tankers, ADR part or full loads

In practice, the international certificate also covers domestic work of the same type: an SRC1 holder may carry domestic passengers and an SRC3 holder domestic goods. The reverse does not apply; an SRC4 does not allow trips abroad.

Which documents are required together in international goods transport?

The set of documents a TIR driver carries in the cab is usually as follows:

A driving licence for the appropriate vehicle category
SRC3 certificate
SRC5 if the cargo is dangerous goods and exceeds the 1.1.3.6 threshold
Psychotechnical assessment report
Tachograph driver card; the time rules are explained in the entry on AETR driving and rest times

These personal documents should not be confused with the company's authorisation certificate. A company carrying goods internationally holds an authorisation certificate such as C2; the types are listed in the entry on authorisation certificate types. The regulation also requires certificates of professional competence for senior and middle managers in companies; these are not SRC certificates either.

How is an SRC certificate obtained?

The candidate holds a driving licence of the class appropriate for the vehicle to be driven.
They complete the relevant SRC training at a driving school authorised by the Ministry of National Education (Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı).
They sit the exam held by the Ministry of National Education.
Successful candidates are issued the certificate.

The route to SRC5 is different. Training is provided by organisations authorised by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı), and the exam is also held by this Ministry. The certificate is valid for five years and consists of basic training, tank, class 1 and class 7 modules. Details are in the entry on how to obtain an SRC5 driver certificate.

The relationship between SRC5 and ADR

SRC5 is the Turkish name of the driver training certificate in Chapter 8.2 of ADR and is recognised in ADR contracting countries. It does not replace the certificate of professional competence; a TIR driver carrying dangerous goods holds both SRC3 and SRC5. For packaged goods, if the total quantity of dangerous goods in the vehicle stays below the 1000-point threshold, SRC5 is not required, but awareness training under ADR 1.3 is mandatory.

Common mistakes

Assigning a driver with SRC4, hired for a domestic trip, to an international load on the return
Assuming SRC5 alone is sufficient; the certificate of professional competence is also required
Working on tanker jobs with only the basic SRC5 module; the tank module is mandatory
Not keeping the original certificate or card in the vehicle

In international road transport, drivers are selected as part of trip planning based on the SRC type and SRC5 modules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a driver with an SRC3 certificate carry out domestic transport?

Yes. In practice, the SRC3 certificate issued for international goods transport also covers domestic goods transport; there is no need to obtain SRC4 as well. The same relationship exists between SRC1 and SRC2 in passenger transport. The reverse is not possible: a driver holding only SRC4 cannot make international trips.

Are the SRC certificate and the psychotechnical report the same thing?

No. The SRC shows the driver's professional knowledge and training. The psychotechnical report is a fitness document obtained from authorised health institutions that measures abilities such as attention, perception, reflexes and decision-making. In practice, both are required from commercial vehicle drivers. The report is renewed at certain intervals, whereas SRC1–SRC4 certificates are obtained through one-off training and an exam.

Should a company transporting dangerous goods have certified personnel other than its drivers?

Yes. The driver's SRC5 is not enough; depending on the size of the business, a dangerous goods activity certificate and a dangerous goods safety adviser may also be required. The adviser monitors loading, packaging and training processes and prepares an annual report. Who needs to have an adviser is explained in the entry on the dangerous goods safety adviser.

Sources

Published: 03.11.2026 · Voltim Global

What are the types of SRC certificate?