ODY 1, 2, 3, 4 Certificate Guide: Conditions for Becoming a Middle Level Manager in Transportation and Employment Obligation

1. Introduction: What is the ODY Certificate and Why is it Important?

In accordance with the Road Transport Regulation, companies engaged in commercial passenger or freight transportation are obliged to have a management staff with a certain competence in order to carry out their activities securely, regularly, and in compliance with legal standards. In this context, the ODY (Middle Level Manager) certificate is an official certification documenting the professional competence of the personnel undertaking the operational management of businesses. The ODY certificate is a legal requirement that companies holding an authorization certificate under the Road Transport Legislation are obliged to employ. This guide has been prepared considering the 2026 current legislative data and Revaluation Rates (YDO).

2. ODY Certificate Types and Scope Analysis

ODY certificates are divided into four main categories according to the nature of the transportation activity (passenger/freight) and its geographical scope (international/domestic). According to the legislation, a comprehensive certificate type also authorizes the certificates below it.

  • ODY 1: International Passenger Transportation (also covers the ODY 2 certificate).
  • ODY 2: Domestic Passenger Transportation.
  • ODY 3: International Freight, Cargo, and Load Transportation (also covers the ODY 4 certificate).
  • ODY 4: Domestic Freight, Cargo, and Load Transportation.

Hierarchical Note: Managers with internationally competent ODY 1 or ODY 3 certificates automatically have the right to manage domestic operations in the same line of business.

3. Employment Obligation Table According to Authorization Certificates

The mandatory manager certificates that companies must have according to the type of authorization certificate obtained from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure are detailed below:| Authorization Certificate Type | Field of Activity | Mandatory Manager Certificate || ------ | ------ | ------ || A1 | Intercity Passenger Transport by Car | ODY 2 || A2 | International Passenger Transport by Car | ODY 1 || B1 | Scheduled International Passenger Transport by Bus | ÜDY 1 and ODY 1 || B2 | Unscheduled International Passenger Transport by Bus | ODY 1 || C2 | International and Domestic Commercial Freight | ÜDY 3 and ODY 3 || C3 | International and Domestic Household/Office Goods | ODY 3 || D1 | Scheduled Intercity Passenger Transport by Bus | ÜDY 2 and ODY 2 || D2 | Unscheduled Domestic Passenger Transport by Bus | ODY 2 || G1 / G3 | Domestic Freight / Cargo Agency | ODY 4 || G2 | International and Domestic Freight Agency | ODY 3 || G4 | International and Domestic Cargo Agency | ODY 4 || K1 / K3 | Domestic Commercial Freight / Household-Office Goods | ODY 4 || L1 | Domestic Logistics Operation | ÜDY 4 and ODY 4 || L2 | International and Domestic Logistics Operation | ÜDY 3 and ODY 3 || M1 / N1 / P1 | Intra-Provincial Cargo / Transport Warehouse / Distribution | ODY 4 || M2 / N2 / P2 | Domestic Cargo / Transport Warehouse / Distribution | ÜDY 4 and ODY 4 || M3 | International and Domestic Cargo Operation | ÜDY 3 and ODY 3 || R1 | Domestic Freight Forwarder | ÜDY 4 and ODY 4 || R2 | International and Domestic Freight Forwarder | ÜDY 3 and ODY 3 || T1 / T2 | Passenger Terminal Operation (Metropolitan/Other) | ÜDY 2 (for T1) and ODY 2 || T3 | Freight Terminal Operation | ODY 4 |

4. Conditions for Obtaining ODY Certificate Without Exam (With Exemption)

Managers with a certain length of service and experience can obtain an ODY certificate under exemption without attending training and exams.

The main criterion for ODY/ÜDY exemption is the date 25.02.2006. Those who served as a "Middle Level Manager" in a company with an authorization certificate before this date have the right to a certificate without an exam.

Burden of Proof for Exemption: Candidates must prove that they worked in this position before the specified date with the following official documents:

  • SGK (Social Security) records in the relevant period.
  • Signature Circulars or Trade Registry Gazette records of the period showing the company title and managerial authority.

5. ODY Certificate Application Process and Costs

Candidates outside the scope of exemption must receive theoretical training from institutions approved by the Ministry of National Education and be successful in the central exam.

Application Checklist:

  • Copy of Identity Card containing T.R. Identity Number.
  • Copy of Diploma (At least 8 years of primary / middle school graduation is a legal requirement).
  • Criminal Record (With a current date).
  • Biometric photograph.
  • 264 TL Document Card Fee: Candidates who are successful in the exam must deposit the Ministry of Transport fee through Vakıfbank, Halkbank, or Ziraat Bank channels.

6. Psychotechnical Report and Complementary Obligations

Although there is no direct driving obligation for managers holding an ODY certificate, the Psychotechnical Report is a critical complementary document in terms of all personnel using commercial vehicles and business standards. It is mandatory for drivers to obtain this report, which measures psychological and physiological competence, every 5 years. Business managers should know that if the drivers within their body cannot submit this report, the company will remain under financial and administrative responsibility.

7. Administrative Fines and Legal Sanctions

In accordance with the Road Transport Law No. 4925 and the relevant legislation, the sanctions to be applied as of 2026 for the deficiencies detected in the inspections are as follows:

Professional Qualification Violations (ODY/ÜDY/SRC):

  • Law Article: Law No. 4925, Article 26, paragraph (l).
  • Penalty Issued to Driver/Manager: 4,392 TL
  • Penalty Issued to the Company (License Holder): 10,666 TL

Penalty for Psychotechnical Deficiency:

  • Law Article: Highway Traffic Law Article 31/1-b.
  • Penalty Amount (2026): 7,123 TL

Critical Warning: In case of repetition of the violation within the same calendar year, the penalties are increased gradually from 2 times up to 10 times. In addition, the insurance and comprehensive insurance compensation rights of companies employing uncertified personnel in the event of an accident may be rejected on the grounds of "insufficient certification".

8. Conclusion and Summary Recommendations

Regulatory compliance is the cornerstone of operational sustainability for businesses operating in the logistics and transportation sector. 2026 inspection standards are carried out instantly via digital verification systems.

Things to Remember

  1. Hierarchical Scope: Make personnel planning considering that ODY 1 and ODY 3 certificates cover domestic activities as well as international validity.
  2. Financial Risk Management: Conduct a risk analysis with the fact that administrative fines can increase up to 10 times in repeated violations and a penalty will be issued to both the driver and the company in accordance with the Road Transport Law Article 26/(l).
  3. Document Validity: There is no upper limit such as 66 years of age in ODY certificates (the age limit is only for commercial drivers). However, follow the 5-year period of personnel's Psychotechnical reports and inspect the completion process of missing documents via e-Government.