08.03.2026 13:40
After heavy fines for APP license plates, citizens flocked to driver’s associations to change their plates. While citizens reacted to the 140,000 lira fine at centers where long queues formed, a staff member explained that APP plates pose serious problems for traffic safety.
The 140,000 TL fine imposed on vehicle owners using APP plates has caused a significant stir. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced that citizens have been given until April 1 to avoid being victimized. Following the announcement of the deadline, many vehicle owners applied to driver associations to change their plates. While there was congestion in many centers, long queues formed at some locations.
REACTIONS TO FINES ARE MUSHROOMING
Citizens coming to change their plates reacted to the high amount of the fine. While some drivers argued that the implementation was harsh, officials emphasized that APP plates are not just an aesthetic choice, but negatively affect traffic monitoring systems.
"APP PLATES ARE NOT INNOCENT"
A staff member stated that APP plates create serious problems, especially in camera and plate recognition systems. In a video titled "APP plates are not innocent," the staff explained how the monitoring systems work with the following words:
"The red lights you see here have cameras on the sides that read passing vehicles. This infrared light brightens and illuminates the original plates. But this event does not happen with APP plates, and they don't even register in the system. That's why this is very problematic."
Officials stated that the use of non-standard plates makes it difficult to detect traffic violations and poses a security risk, calling on vehicle owners to standardize their plates by April 1.