27.06.2026 11:34
The confusion over in-vehicle equipment and accessories, which led to disputes between drivers and traffic teams, was resolved with a new regulation prepared upon the instruction of Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi. According to information obtained by Haberler.com Ankara Representative Şerife Güzel, the regulation legally permits phone holders mounted on the windshield, navigation screens, and sound systems of certain dimensions.
The Traffic Law implementing regulation, which millions of drivers have been eagerly waiting for, has been completed. The regulation, which puts an end to the information pollution regarding penalties for multimedia screens and speakers in vehicles, also allows phone holders mounted on the windshield.
According to information obtained by Haberler.com Ankara Representative Şerife Güzel, with the instruction of Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, new significant steps have been taken to ensure drivers' comfort and technology use through the new regulation in the Highway Traffic Regulation. With the changes made, technical details that have long caused confusion in traffic have been clarified to prevent information pollution. The new legislation stands out with its positive and practical solutions that set standards and provide legal freedoms for drivers.
TRAFFIC LAW ENACTED, BUT LACK OF REGULATION CAUSED CHAOS
The new Traffic Law, passed in the Turkish Grand National Assembly in February during Ali Yerlikaya's tenure as Interior Minister, caused great chaos as the implementing regulation was not issued. Mustafa Çiftçi, upon taking over the Interior Ministry, suspended the application of the regulation that had drawn public backlash. Çiftçi gave instructions to prepare a regulation to end the controversies, and work had been ongoing for some time.
With the completed regulation, the legal framework regarding in-vehicle issues has been clearly drawn. Topics that have long led to information pollution and debates in society have been clarified, prioritizing citizens' peace and traffic safety, instead of a "prohibitive" approach.
PHONE HOLDERS, VEHICLE CAMERAS, AND REARVIEW MIRROR ACCESSORIES ARE FREE
With the regulation, which has been completed and sent for the President's approval, legal assurance has been provided for practical solutions that support drivers' driving safety and facilitate daily life. Under the new regulation; elevations not exceeding 5 centimeters from the top level of the steering wheel or dashboard, as well as vehicle cameras and phone holders mounted on the windshield, are explicitly exempted.
NO BAN ON NAVIGATION USE THAT DOES NOT OBSTRUCT VIEW
Thus, issues such as navigation use and safety camera placement have been clarified, legally certifying that these devices are not view-obstructing elements. The usage limits for accessories like air fresheners hung by drivers on the rearview mirror have also been placed on a legal basis with these objective measures. Factory-installed screens in vehicles will also be exempt and not subject to penalties.
STANDARD FOR "MUSIC ENJOYMENT" IN SOUND SYSTEMS
The standard uncertainty regarding in-vehicle entertainment and sound systems has been resolved with an innovative approach. With the clarification, clear measures have been set to preserve the trunk comfort of music enthusiasts, in addition to the vehicle manufacturer's original equipment. In the new era, having 1 subwoofer of a maximum of 45 Hz and 1 amplifier (amp) of a maximum of 300 watts in the trunk of vehicles is permitted and standardized. This legally opens the way for drivers to have a quality sound experience in their vehicles.
SOUND PENALTY TIED TO "EXTERNAL DISTURBANCE AND RECORDING" CONDITION
With the new regulation, the inspection mechanism for the use of sound devices has been placed entirely on objective criteria. Action can be taken against a vehicle due to its sound system only if "the sound emerges from the vehicle and disturbs the public's peace and comfort" and this situation is "recorded" concretely. Thus, the rights of drivers listening to music quietly in their vehicles are protected, preventing arbitrary practices.
FULL SUPPORT FOR SMART SCREENS AND PASSENGER COMFORT WHILE DRIVING
The new legislation, keeping up with technological transformation, clearly defines the usage purpose of in-vehicle digital screens. The use of devices that drivers use for driving, parking, or navigation assistance, as well as in-vehicle/external cameras, recording devices, and screens related to system settings, is completely free.
Additionally, the comfort of passengers traveling in M2 and M3 class vehicles (buses and minibuses) engaged in commercial passenger transport was not forgotten. To ensure an enjoyable journey for passengers, the freedom to install "individual audio and video devices" on seats, kitchen units, or partition walls is maintained.
THREE MINISTRIES AUTHORIZED IN IMPLEMENTATION
In the prepared new regulation, the principles of "defining areas and drawing boundaries of freedom" were applied instead of "prohibition and limitation." According to the implementation article of the regulation, the Ministry of Interior, along with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, have been authorized in implementation. The regulation will come into force after the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.