PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCYPROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY

In Turkey, where 94 % of all domestic freight and In Turkey, where 94 % of all domestic freight and passenger transport is carried out by road, a passenger transport is carried out by road, a long aspired Law on Road Transportation was long aspired Law on Road Transportation was issued on July 2003. Before the Law on Road issued on July 2003. Before the Law on Road Transportation Nr. 4925 being enacted, there was Transportation Nr. 4925 being enacted, there was no specific legislation to regulate road no specific legislation to regulate road transportation activities.transportation activities.

Due to the harmonisation of such regulations in the Due to the harmonisation of such regulations in the field of road transportation with the EU acqui, field of road transportation with the EU acqui, regulations related to market accession and accesion regulations related to market accession and accesion to the profession were enacted in line with the relevant to the profession were enacted in line with the relevant EU norms. EU norms.

The EU’s directives that stipulate conditions for acess The EU’s directives that stipulate conditions for acess to the profession and to the market were substantially to the profession and to the market were substantially reflected in the legislatory work and the 3 main criteria reflected in the legislatory work and the 3 main criteria foreseen in such directives concerning financial foreseen in such directives concerning financial standing, professional competency and good repute as standing, professional competency and good repute as necesssary qualifications for drivers and managers necesssary qualifications for drivers and managers who aim to work in transport business in EU member who aim to work in transport business in EU member staes, were incorporated in the Turkish legislationstaes, were incorporated in the Turkish legislation

Two among such criteria, namely the professional Two among such criteria, namely the professional good repute and financial standing were good repute and financial standing were regulated under the Regulation on Road regulated under the Regulation on Road Transportation prepared on the basis of the Law Transportation prepared on the basis of the Law Nr. 4925, a separate regulation concerning the Nr. 4925, a separate regulation concerning the criteria for professional competency was issued criteria for professional competency was issued on 03 September 2004 and legal conditions were on 03 September 2004 and legal conditions were laid down in this regulation with regard to laid down in this regulation with regard to professional competency as required for professional competency as required for accession to the profession and for the accession to the profession and for the performance of the profession. performance of the profession.

Under the Law on Road Transportation issued in Under the Law on Road Transportation issued in 2003, freight and passenger transportation were 2003, freight and passenger transportation were aimed to be regulated in accordance with EU aimed to be regulated in accordance with EU standards and in this direction, requirements standards and in this direction, requirements concerning Professional Competency Certificate concerning Professional Competency Certificate for Commercial Vehicle Operation such as for Commercial Vehicle Operation such as training, examinations, etc. were brought under training, examinations, etc. were brought under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport. the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport. Such requirements are regulated under the Such requirements are regulated under the “Regulation on Professional Competency for Road “Regulation on Professional Competency for Road Transportation Operations” entered into force in Transportation Operations” entered into force in 2004. 2004.

In this regard, our Ministry prioritised the issue In this regard, our Ministry prioritised the issue and to have it serve the objectives and aims as and to have it serve the objectives and aims as well as with a view to ensure every profession has well as with a view to ensure every profession has basic and sufficient knowledge on transport, basic and sufficient knowledge on transport, launched professional competency training launched professional competency training courses that were only implemented in some of courses that were only implemented in some of the EU member states at that time, under the the EU member states at that time, under the Regulation on Professional Competency Training Regulation on Professional Competency Training for Road Transportation Operations.for Road Transportation Operations.

The reason behind the enactment of this legislation:The reason behind the enactment of this legislation:

Defines professional competency training and Defines professional competency training and examination, the qualifications of training examination, the qualifications of training organisations that can be accredited for such organisations that can be accredited for such training and relevant certifications, professional training and relevant certifications, professional competency certificates to be granted to those competency certificates to be granted to those who complete such training or to those that are who complete such training or to those that are exempt from such requirement as well as relevant exempt from such requirement as well as relevant terms and conditions concerning professional terms and conditions concerning professional competency as required for the performance of competency as required for the performance of road transportation operations in Turkey.road transportation operations in Turkey.

The types of Professional Competency Certificates The types of Professional Competency Certificates to be granted to drivers and managers who are to be granted to drivers and managers who are engaged in road transportation and are subject to engaged in road transportation and are subject to the requirement for obtaining Professional the requirement for obtaining Professional Competency Certificate are as follows: Competency Certificate are as follows:

Types of professional competency certificates are defined in three Types of professional competency certificates are defined in three main categories; main categories;

-Senior manager (ÜDY), -Senior manager (ÜDY),

-Middle level manager (ODY), -Middle level manager (ODY),

-Driver (SRC)-Driver (SRC)

Senior manager (ÜDY): Chairman of Board of Directors, member Senior manager (ÜDY): Chairman of Board of Directors, member of board of directors, general manager, general coordinator, of board of directors, general manager, general coordinator, secretary general or other persons employed at other positions secretary general or other persons employed at other positions who represent a real or legal person and/or administer all of these who represent a real or legal person and/or administer all of these continuously and effectively as per the regulation on Road continuously and effectively as per the regulation on Road Transport, Transport,

Middle level manager (ODY): Director/Administrator, chief, expert, Middle level manager (ODY): Director/Administrator, chief, expert, operational manager, operator or persons employed at other operational manager, operator or persons employed at other positions who represent and administer continuously and positions who represent and administer continuously and effectively the transport –related activities of a real or legal effectively the transport –related activities of a real or legal person or an independent unit within its framework as per the person or an independent unit within its framework as per the regulation on Road Transport, regulation on Road Transport,

Driver (SRC): Person who administers a motor vehicle on roadDriver (SRC): Person who administers a motor vehicle on road

Types of Professional Competency CertificatesTypes of Professional Competency Certificates

a) a) ÜDY (Senior Manager) type Professional Competency CertificateÜDY (Senior Manager) type Professional Competency Certificate

1) ÜDY1 international passenger transportation1) ÜDY1 international passenger transportation

2) ÜDY2 domestic passenger transportation2) ÜDY2 domestic passenger transportation

3) ÜDY3 international freight-cargo transportation3) ÜDY3 international freight-cargo transportation

4) ÜDY4 domestic freight –cargo transportation4) ÜDY4 domestic freight –cargo transportation

bb) ODY (Middle level manager) type Professional Competency Certificate) ODY (Middle level manager) type Professional Competency Certificate

1) ODY1 international passenger transportation1) ODY1 international passenger transportation

2) ODY2 domestic passenger transportation2) ODY2 domestic passenger transportation

3) ODY3 international freight-cargo transportation3) ODY3 international freight-cargo transportation

4) ODY4 international freight-cargo transportation4) ODY4 international freight-cargo transportation

Types of Professional Competency Certificates Types of Professional Competency Certificates (Continued)(Continued)

are issued as follows:are issued as follows:c) SRC type Professional Competency Certificate1) SRC1 international passenger transportationinternational passenger transportation2) SRC2 domestic passenger transportationdomestic passenger transportation3) SRC3 international freight-cargo transportationinternational freight-cargo transportation4) SRC4 domestic freight-cargo transportation freight-cargo transportation5) SRC5 dangerous goods transportation

GRADES FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY CERTIFICATESGRADES FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY CERTIFICATES

Correlations between Professional Competency Certificates as per their grades are as Correlations between Professional Competency Certificates as per their grades are as follows;follows;

Persons holding ÜDY1 type certificates are considered as holding ÜDY2,ODY1 and ODY2 Persons holding ÜDY1 type certificates are considered as holding ÜDY2,ODY1 and ODY2 type certificates,type certificates,

Persons holding ÜDY2 type certificates are considered as holding ODY2 type certificates, Persons holding ÜDY2 type certificates are considered as holding ODY2 type certificates,

Persons holding ÜDY3 type certificates are considered as holding ÜDY4, ODY3 and ODY4 Persons holding ÜDY3 type certificates are considered as holding ÜDY4, ODY3 and ODY4 type certificatestype certificates

Persons holding ÜDY4 type certificates are considered as holding ODY4 type certificates,Persons holding ÜDY4 type certificates are considered as holding ODY4 type certificates,

Persons holding ODY1 type certificates are considered as holding, ODY2 type certificates,Persons holding ODY1 type certificates are considered as holding, ODY2 type certificates,

Persons holding ODY3 type certificates are considered as holding ODY4 type certificates,Persons holding ODY3 type certificates are considered as holding ODY4 type certificates,

Persons holding SRC1 type certificates are considered as holding SRC2 type certificatesPersons holding SRC1 type certificates are considered as holding SRC2 type certificates

Persons holding SRC3 type certificates are considered as holding SRC4 type certificatesPersons holding SRC3 type certificates are considered as holding SRC4 type certificates

Bearing in mind the current conjuncture of Bearing in mind the current conjuncture of the sector, the legislation allows certain the sector, the legislation allows certain exemptions.exemptions.

Exemption from Profesional Competency Training Exemption from Profesional Competency Training RequirementRequirement

Provided that they pass the relevant examinationProvided that they pass the relevant examination Graduates from transportation, logistics, transport economy, road Graduates from transportation, logistics, transport economy, road

traffic departments at universities/vocational high schools with 4 year traffic departments at universities/vocational high schools with 4 year graduate degree education and those persons that hold graduate graduate degree education and those persons that hold graduate degrees in other fields but obtained master, post-graduate or degrees in other fields but obtained master, post-graduate or doctorate degrees in the above fields, doctorate degrees in the above fields,

Persons who were employed at the Directorate for Land Persons who were employed at the Directorate for Land Transportation or at Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Transport Transportation or at Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Transport as head of department , deputy regional directors as well as those as head of department , deputy regional directors as well as those who were employed at the headquarters or regional branches of the who were employed at the headquarters or regional branches of the National Directorate for Security as head of department or security National Directorate for Security as head of department or security director at traffic-related departments for at least 3 years,director at traffic-related departments for at least 3 years,

Persons who can prove by documents that they have been engaged Persons who can prove by documents that they have been engaged in the profession for at least 5 years with ODY type Professional in the profession for at least 5 years with ODY type Professional Competency Certificates,Competency Certificates,

UDY type Professional Competency Certificates are granted to UDY type Professional Competency Certificates are granted to persons who are exempt from professional competency training and persons who are exempt from professional competency training and pass the related examination,pass the related examination,

Exemption from Professional Competency Exemption from Professional Competency Training RequirementTraining Requirement

Vocational High School graduates, provided that Vocational High School graduates, provided that they pass the professional competency exams, they pass the professional competency exams, are exempt from the requirement to attend are exempt from the requirement to attend professional competency training and they are professional competency training and they are granted ODY type Professional Competency granted ODY type Professional Competency Certificate in accordance with the exam they Certificate in accordance with the exam they pass. pass.

Exemption from Professional Competency Training and Exemption from Professional Competency Training and Examination RequirementExamination Requirement

Relevant ODY certificate is granted to graduates from Relevant ODY certificate is granted to graduates from transportation, logistics, transport economy, road traffic transportation, logistics, transport economy, road traffic departments at universities/vocational high schools with 4 year departments at universities/vocational high schools with 4 year graduate degree education and those persons t hold graduate graduate degree education and those persons t hold graduate degrees in other fields but obtained master, post-graduate or degrees in other fields but obtained master, post-graduate or doctorate degrees in the above fields, doctorate degrees in the above fields,

Persons who were employed at the Directorrate for Land Persons who were employed at the Directorrate for Land Transportation or at Regional Directorates of the Minnistry of Transportation or at Regional Directorates of the Minnistry of Transport as head of department, regional director or a higher Transport as head of department, regional director or a higher position for at least 3 years and chief inspectors and legal position for at least 3 years and chief inspectors and legal advisors of the Ministry of Transport are granted ÜDY certificate advisors of the Ministry of Transport are granted ÜDY certificate they request, they request,

Persons who were employed at the Directorate for Land Persons who were employed at the Directorate for Land Transportation or at Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Transportation or at Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Transport as head of department , deputy regional directors as Transport as head of department , deputy regional directors as well as those who were employed at the headquarters or regional well as those who were employed at the headquarters or regional branches of the Directorate of Security as head of department or branches of the Directorate of Security as head of department or security director at traffic-related departments for at least 3 years security director at traffic-related departments for at least 3 years are granted ODY certificates they request, are granted ODY certificates they request,

SRC type certificates are granted to graduates of departments SRC type certificates are granted to graduates of departments offering driver education at Higher Education Organisation.offering driver education at Higher Education Organisation.

Under the Regulation on Professional Competency Training Under the Regulation on Professional Competency Training for Road Transport Operations, professional competency for Road Transport Operations, professional competency qualification is required for all actors in the sector, while qualification is required for all actors in the sector, while taking into account of the current conjuncture of the sector, taking into account of the current conjuncture of the sector, the acquired rights of those experienced in the sector being the acquired rights of those experienced in the sector being respected and allowing a process of transition, they are respected and allowing a process of transition, they are granted once and for all exemption from training and granted once and for all exemption from training and examination requirement and the right to obtain Profesional examination requirement and the right to obtain Profesional Competency Certificate directly.Competency Certificate directly.

As of 25/2/2006, UDY type professional As of 25/2/2006, UDY type professional competency certificate is granted to high level competency certificate is granted to high level managers who have been for at least five years managers who have been for at least five years employed at organisations operating according to employed at organisations operating according to the regulation on Road Transport, provided that the regulation on Road Transport, provided that they prove their status, they prove their status,

As of 25/2/2006, ODY or SRC type professional As of 25/2/2006, ODY or SRC type professional competency certificates are granted to persons competency certificates are granted to persons with at least three years of professional with at least three years of professional experience, provided that they prove their status.experience, provided that they prove their status.

In order to ensure the requests of citizens that In order to ensure the requests of citizens that wish to benefit from this right and to enforce the wish to benefit from this right and to enforce the legislation in a timely manner, our Ministry found legislation in a timely manner, our Ministry found it necessary to receive outsourced support, the it necessary to receive outsourced support, the issue was evaluated legally with regard to such issue was evaluated legally with regard to such need and it was considered appropriate to receive need and it was considered appropriate to receive such supoort from public organisations and/or such supoort from public organisations and/or universities. universities.

With a view to work in a coordinated manner and With a view to work in a coordinated manner and with regard to the expertise, we contacted Gazi with regard to the expertise, we contacted Gazi University which is the only university in Turkey University which is the only university in Turkey with graduate degree programme on “Transport with graduate degree programme on “Transport and Traffic Engineering” and a protocol was and Traffic Engineering” and a protocol was signed on 23.12.2005 following negotiations. signed on 23.12.2005 following negotiations.

The protocol was improved taking into account The protocol was improved taking into account the needs demonstrated during the the needs demonstrated during the implementation of the legislation and it was implementation of the legislation and it was amended on 01.07.2010.amended on 01.07.2010.

The “Gazi University – Ministry of Transport Road The “Gazi University – Ministry of Transport Road Transport Practice and Research Center” Transport Practice and Research Center” established at Gazi University for the purpose of established at Gazi University for the purpose of reviewing the applications of persons that want to reviewing the applications of persons that want to be exempted from the training and examination be exempted from the training and examination requirement and to obtain Profesional requirement and to obtain Profesional Competency Certificates directly; other work Competency Certificates directly; other work including the issuance, publication, distribution including the issuance, publication, distribution and delivery of certificates, renewal of lost and delivery of certificates, renewal of lost certificates.certificates.

So far, applications from a total ofSo far, applications from a total of -1.777.930 drivers,-1.777.930 drivers, - 38.909 managers - 38.909 managers engaged in the sector, were evaluated.engaged in the sector, were evaluated.

out of which,out of which, -1.446.201 drivers, -1.446.201 drivers, -17.524 managers -17.524 managers were delivered Professional Competency Certificates as exempt were delivered Professional Competency Certificates as exempt

from the training and examnation requirement , depending on from the training and examnation requirement , depending on their acquired rights. their acquired rights.

Review of applications and issuing of certificates are ongoing.Review of applications and issuing of certificates are ongoing.

AS PER THE EXEMPTION, OUT OF 1.816.839 PERSONS

GAZI UNIVERSITY ROAD TRANSPORT PRACTICE AND RESEARCH CENTER

1.463.725 PERSONS RECEIVED.

February 2011

Conditions concerning training organisations to Conditions concerning training organisations to be authorised to offer Professional Competency be authorised to offer Professional Competency Training were also regulated under the same Training were also regulated under the same regulation and organisations that can offer such regulation and organisations that can offer such training were allowed to open training centers on training were allowed to open training centers on the basis of their authorizations.the basis of their authorizations.

As of today, 197 training centers are accredited As of today, 197 training centers are accredited

and about 115.499 people received training in and about 115.499 people received training in such centers. such centers.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT

NUMBER OF TRAINING CENTERS ACCREDITED BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT – 197

14 EXAMS WERE CONDUCTED15 FOR MANAGERS AND DRIVERS 16 ATTENDING TRAINING COURSES

89.414 PERSONS ADMITTED TO EXAMS.62.830 PERSONS SUCCEEDED

SUCCESS RATIO = % 70,26

The training curriculum to be followed during professional The training curriculum to be followed during professional competency trainings was prepared also taking into account of the EU competency trainings was prepared also taking into account of the EU acqui. acqui.

In general terms, the purpose of the professional competency In general terms, the purpose of the professional competency training is to ensure necessary level of knowledge and skills for the training is to ensure necessary level of knowledge and skills for the performance of the profession. performance of the profession.

In this regard, a curriculum with minimum information that is In this regard, a curriculum with minimum information that is expected from drivers and managers engaged in road transportation expected from drivers and managers engaged in road transportation in line with the EU acqui and a requirement was introduced for all in line with the EU acqui and a requirement was introduced for all drivers and managers in the sector to have such knowledge. drivers and managers in the sector to have such knowledge.

The courses foreseen to be included in the curriculum to ensure The courses foreseen to be included in the curriculum to ensure professional competency training achieves its objectives will professional competency training achieves its objectives will transform certain improperly adopted behaviours and attitudes transform certain improperly adopted behaviours and attitudes concerning traffic culture and safety into modern behaviours and concerning traffic culture and safety into modern behaviours and attitudes and they are sought to be organised with regard to training attitudes and they are sought to be organised with regard to training criteria and the current qualifications of participants.criteria and the current qualifications of participants.

Studies with respect to the Regulation as well as the Studies with respect to the Regulation as well as the requests received from training centers that seek requests received from training centers that seek authorisation demonstrated the need for new regulations authorisation demonstrated the need for new regulations concerning training courses and examinations. concerning training courses and examinations.

- It is extremely difficult to find trainers in the field of - It is extremely difficult to find trainers in the field of professional competency which is a new practice in Turkey. professional competency which is a new practice in Turkey. For this, with a view to make training courses widespread For this, with a view to make training courses widespread around Turkey, coupled with the demands from the sector around Turkey, coupled with the demands from the sector for training of the trainers and the practices in Europe, the for training of the trainers and the practices in Europe, the training of trainers is considered as a priority.training of trainers is considered as a priority.

Especially bearing in mind the need for certification of Especially bearing in mind the need for certification of trainers to be employed at training centers according to trainers to be employed at training centers according to their specialisations, hence ensuring a uniformity among their specialisations, hence ensuring a uniformity among the trainers, studies within the framework of Gazi the trainers, studies within the framework of Gazi University’s Road Transport Practice and Research Center University’s Road Transport Practice and Research Center have been underway. have been underway.

Questions have been obtained from the training centers in Questions have been obtained from the training centers in order to set up test banks for the exams to be conducted by order to set up test banks for the exams to be conducted by our ministry. our ministry.

Attention is paid to ensure such test banks contain Attention is paid to ensure such test banks contain questions that enable sound assessment of the level of questions that enable sound assessment of the level of knowledge of participants both in terms of the curriculum knowledge of participants both in terms of the curriculum as well as the technique of testing. as well as the technique of testing.

Before every examination, questions are requested from Before every examination, questions are requested from each training center. The availability, accuracy, etc. of such each training center. The availability, accuracy, etc. of such questions are evaluated and other studies in which Gazi questions are evaluated and other studies in which Gazi University is also involved and which concerns the test University is also involved and which concerns the test bank project are still underway.bank project are still underway.

So far,a total of 14 Professional Competency So far,a total of 14 Professional Competency Certificate Exams have been conducted for sector Certificate Exams have been conducted for sector professionals who obtained Professional professionals who obtained Professional Competency training Graduate (Completion) Competency training Graduate (Completion) Certificate upon completing training courses Certificate upon completing training courses organised by Training Organisations accredited by organised by Training Organisations accredited by our Ministry. In total 89.414 persons applied for our Ministry. In total 89.414 persons applied for the exams. Around 15.000 participants are the exams. Around 15.000 participants are expected to attend the exam planned for 19 expected to attend the exam planned for 19 March 2011. March 2011.

PLEASE KINDLY BE INFORMED

M. Celal TÜMER