11.02.2026 09:50
The new regulation passed by the Parliament will seriously strain drivers' budgets. For some drivers who do not comply with the rules, imprisonment is on the agenda. With the new regulation, fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 lira will be imposed for using a mobile phone while driving. While penalties for seatbelt and protective equipment violations are increased, those who leave the scene of accidents resulting in death or injury may face imprisonment of 1 to 3 years.
In the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, 6 more articles of the Bill on Amendments to the Highway Traffic Law, which includes the increase of traffic fines, were accepted.
According to the accepted articles, those who do not use sound, music, image, and communication devices in vehicles in accordance with the specified conditions and do not disturb public peace will be fined 3,000 lira. Those who possess and use devices contrary to the conditions will be fined 21,000 lira, and their vehicles will be banned from traffic for 30 days.
GRADUAL PENALTY FOR USING PHONE WHILE DRIVING
Drivers using mobile phones or similar communication devices while driving will be fined 5,000 lira. Those caught for the second time within one year from the date of the last violation will be fined 10,000 lira, and for the third and subsequent violations, they will be fined 20,000 lira each time. Additionally, the driver's license will be revoked for 30 days for each violation.
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR SEAT BELTS
During vehicle operation, it will be mandatory for drivers and passengers to use seat belts, helmets, protective glasses, child restraint systems, and other protective equipment specified in the regulation properly. Those who do not use this equipment correctly will be considered as not having used it at all.
Which vehicles will have protective systems, from which date, and under what conditions will be determined by regulation.
2,500 LIRA FINE FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT
Passengers in the specified vehicles will be required to be warned to wear seat belts before the vehicle moves and during the journey. Drivers and passengers who do not use the seat belt properly will be fined 2,500 lira.
If this rule is violated 4 or more times within a year, the driver's licenses will be revoked for 30 days each time. All administrative fines imposed for the return of the driver's license must be paid.
INCREASED FINE FOR HELMET AND GLASSES VIOLATION
Drivers and passengers who do not wear helmets and protective glasses properly while driving will be fined 2,500 lira. In the second violation within a year, the fine will increase to 5,000 lira, and for the third and subsequent violations, it will be 10,000 lira each time.
Those who do not use other protective systems specified in the regulation and those who do not warn passengers about seat belts will be fined 1,000 lira. Vehicles will not be allowed to operate on the road without the necessary equipment.
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN UNDER 15
Drivers will be obliged to ensure that children under the age of 15 use seat belts, helmets, protective glasses, child seats, and other safety equipment properly. Drivers who allow the journey without fulfilling this condition will be fined 5,000 lira.
PRISON AND SEVERE PENALTIES FOR LEAVING THE SCENE
In cases of material damage, injury, or fatal accidents, drivers who leave the scene without the permission of the authorities, except in cases of necessity, will be fined 46,000 lira.
Those who leave the scene without permission in fatal or injury accidents will be sentenced to imprisonment from 1 year to 3 years. The licenses of these drivers will be revoked for 2 years. All fines must be paid for the return of the driver's license.
The legal responsibility of drivers of non-motorized vehicles and electric scooters will be subject to general provisions. This regulation will come into effect 3 months after the publication of the law.
NUMBER INSTEAD OF ID IN REPORTS
Reports related to traffic offenses will be prepared by authorized personnel within the General Directorate of Security, the General Command of Gendarmerie, and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and the General Directorate of Highways. Instead of the clear identity of the personnel on duty, a personnel identification number will be used in the reports.