10.02.2026 15:21
The new draft regulation prepared by the Ministry of Trade introduces a requirement for a license in the car rental sector, a deposit limit, age and mileage rules, conditions for environmentally friendly vehicles, and comprehensive regulations to protect consumers.
The Ministry of Trade has prepared a comprehensive regulation for the car rental sector; with the new draft, a license requirement, deposit limit, eco-friendly vehicle condition, and numerous consumer protection rules are being introduced.
COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION FOR THE CAR RENTAL SECTOR
The Ministry of Trade has prepared the "Draft Regulation on the Rental of Motor Vehicles," which includes comprehensive regulations regarding the rental processes of motor vehicles, and has submitted it for the opinions of the public and sector stakeholders. The purpose of the regulation is stated to be increasing service quality in the sector, preventing unregistered activities, and eliminating consumer grievances.
LICENSE REQUIREMENT WILL BE MANDATORY
According to the draft, a license requirement is being introduced for all businesses renting vehicles for commercial purposes. To obtain a license, businesses must be registered with a professional chamber, be tax registered, and the workplace must not be used as a residence. Additionally, rental responsible persons must have at least a primary school education, must not have been convicted of certain crimes, and must possess a Level 4 certificate approved by the Vocational Qualification Authority.
RENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL BE ESTABLISHED
A "Motor Vehicle Rental Information System" will be established by the Ministry. License applications, rental activities, and vehicles rented out will be tracked through this system.
AGE, MILEAGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The draft also includes age and mileage limits for vehicles to be rented. Except for classic vehicles, vehicles older than 5 years or exceeding 100,000 kilometers cannot be rented. Businesses will be required to have a fleet of at least 10 vehicles, with at least 5 of them being their own. For businesses operating in metropolitan areas, there will be a requirement to have at least 2 hybrid or electric vehicles, one of which must be produced in Turkey.
DEPOSIT LIMIT, CLEAR TIMELINE FOR RETURNS
The deposit practice, which is one of the most complained-about issues by consumers, has also been regulated. Accordingly, for rentals of 1-6 days, a deposit of a maximum of 3 days' rental fee can be taken, and for rentals of 7-30 days, a maximum of 7 days' rental fee can be taken as a deposit. The deposit must be refunded to the consumer within a maximum of 7 days after the vehicle is returned.
FREE CANCELLATION AND ADDITIONAL RIGHTS
In prepaid reservations, consumers will be granted the right to cancel without justification and without deduction up to 24 hours before the delivery time. No fees can be charged to consumers for wear and tear due to normal use.
UNMAINTAINED VEHICLES CANNOT BE RENTED
The rental of vehicles that have not undergone periodic maintenance will be prohibited. If requested in winter conditions, winter tires will be provided by the business. Comprehensive insurance and coverage will be included in the rental fee, and no additional fees can be charged.
LIMIT ON CLAIMS FOR DEPRECIATION
Without a court decision, no fees can be requested from the renter under the name of "depreciation." A continuous communication infrastructure will be required to ensure that the renter can reach the business at any time in case of damage or malfunction.
SUPERVISION OF ADVERTISING SITES
Advertising sites and online platforms will be obliged to check whether the businesses posting car rental advertisements have a license. Advertisements from businesses without a license will be prohibited. Existing businesses will be given until January 1, 2027, to comply.