I am looking at the possibility of riding my UK registered bike to Turkey and then flying out after selling, giving or lending the bike to someone else who will ride it back to the UK. As the ownership papers would still be in my name I would give the rider a power of attorney to use the bike.

I have found a 2002 copy of a Turkish Government publication which states: "The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 months. The owner must declare on the form the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely leave the country by the date declared."

This implies that I will not be able to leave the country without the vehicle (as my entry form will have my undertaking to take it out with me) and equally nobody else can leave with the vehicle (as they won't the form recording that they brought it in).

Questions: Has anyone who has recently ridden into Turkey with a bike been required to complete such a form? Has anyone been able to depart Turkey and leave a vehicle behind? Has anyone been able to leave with a vehicle that they didn't bring in?

I am hoping that the procedure has been relaxed since 2002 as I would want to do everything legitimately and not cause any problems for the new rider or put at risk my ability to revisit Turkey.