To drive a quad or buggy on our safari tracks in Side you must be at least 16 years old, show photo ID at our base, and complete a short supervised test drive with confidence — that is the entire entry requirement. Guests ask us every week whether a licence is needed for a quad safari in Side, and we settle the question the practical way, on the spot: whoever handles the machine confidently during the test drive rides as a driver, and anyone who prefers not to drive joins as a securely belted passenger from age 6. Booking is free online with no prepayment — you pay on the day of the tour.
The Rule That Actually Matters: The Supervised Test Drive
Before any group leaves our base in the Taurus foothills behind Side, every driver takes a supervised test drive in a controlled area next to the starting point. Our professional guides run the safety briefing first, then watch each guest handle the machine before the track opens.
What our guides check during those few minutes:
- Throttle and brake control — smooth starts, smooth stops, no panic reactions.
- Steering — holding a clean line through a gentle turn instead of drifting wide.
- Stopping on signal — reacting to a guide's hand signal straight away.
- Overall confidence — sitting relaxed on the machine rather than fighting it.
Guests who manage all of this comfortably drive on the track. If the test drive shows you are not quite there yet, you simply swap into a passenger seat — nobody is sent onto the trail struggling with the controls, and nobody misses the tour because of it. Complete beginners pass this test every single day; we cover exactly how in our guide on whether beginners can drive a quad or buggy in Side.
Driver vs Passenger: Requirements at a Glance
| Role | Minimum age | What is required |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 16 | Photo ID shown at the base + a confident supervised test drive |
| Passenger | 6 | Securely belted — in the buggy, belted right next to the driver; no test drive needed |
The full age picture, including how families usually split the seats, is in our article on quad and buggy safari age rules in Side.
What Our Guides Watch Once You Are on the Track
A departure can include up to 40 guests, so the ride is organised rather than a free-for-all. During the roughly 1.5-2 hours of actual off-road riding through forest tracks, dust, mud pits and water-splash stops, our guides lead the column and keep control of the group:
- Spacing — a safe gap to the machine in front, especially in dust.
- Pace — a speed that fits each section of the trail and the level of the group.
- Signals — hand signals for slowing, stopping and regrouping, explained at the briefing.
- Regular stops — the column regroups at photo and water-splash points, so nobody is left behind.
What to Bring With You
- Photo ID for every driver — it is checked at the base before the test drive.
- A complete change of clothes — forest dust, mud pits and water splashes are the whole point of the ride, and you will wear plenty of them home.
- Closed shoes you do not mind getting dirty.
Helmets, the safety briefing and the supervised test drive are included, and the base has changing cabins and showers for afterwards. Protective goggles, bandanas, food, drinks and the professional photo and video service are available at the base as paid extras. Free hotel pick-up and drop-off covers Side centre, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Sorgun and Titreyengöl, with a morning or afternoon session — the exact time is confirmed at booking.
Who Should Choose the Passenger Seat
- Guests under 16 — from age 6 they ride belted as passengers; in the buggy that means belted right next to the driver.
- Anyone who prefers not to drive — same trail, same dust, same splash stops, without touching the controls.
- Guests with back or neck issues — off-road terrain is bumpy by nature, so we ask you to ride as a passenger.
Quad or Buggy: Which Is Easier to Drive?
A quad is a single-rider ATV: one machine per driver, a handlebar throttle and full control — it feels closer to a motorbike. A buggy is a two-seater side-by-side with a steering wheel, seat belts and a roll cage — it drives more like a small car, which is why most first-time drivers find it the easier option, and it lets a partner or a child sit belted right beside you.
| Tour | Vehicle | Adult / Child | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Quad ATV Safari | Single-rider quad, handlebar throttle | €25 / €15 | ~3 hours door-to-door |
| Side Buggy Safari | Two-seater buggy, steering wheel + belts | €30 / €18 | ~4 hours door-to-door |
FAQ
Can tourists drive the quads and buggies in Side?
Yes. Any guest aged 16 or over who shows photo ID at our base and completes the supervised test drive confidently drives on the track — that is exactly how holidaymakers from all over Europe join us every day.
Can two adults share one buggy?
Yes. The buggy is a two-seater side-by-side: one adult drives while the other sits securely belted in the seat next to them. Only the person driving needs to be 16+, show ID and pass the test drive.
Can I decide to ride as a passenger after all?
Yes — at any point before the track. If the test drive does not feel right, or you simply change your mind at the base, tell a guide and you swap into a passenger seat. Your place on the tour is never at risk.
Ready to find out which seat is yours? Reserve your spot on the Side quad safari or the Side buggy safari now — booking is free, there is no prepayment, and you pay on the day of the tour. Bring your ID and a change of clothes; our guides at the base handle the rest.