New statement from Minister Çiftçi regarding APP license plates: 'Our goal is not to create difficulties'

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi attended the Anatolian Press Federation program.

In his remarks at the program, Minister Çiftçi stated that non-standard APP license plates used in traffic cannot be read accurately by radar, license plate recognition systems (PTS), and electronic inspection infrastructures, emphasizing that this situation weakens the effectiveness of inspections and creates a serious vulnerability in terms of public safety.

Regarding regional developments, Çiftçi pointed out that potential crises in Iran could trigger a new migration movement, stating that Turkey has taken all necessary measures regarding border security and that the process is being closely monitored in a controlled manner under the coordination of relevant institutions.

Minister Çiftçi's statements are as follows:

First of all, I would like to state this clearly: Our goal is never to fine our citizens or to victimize them. We do not act with an understanding that views punishment as a method. The essential thing is to guide our citizens, show them the right path, and ensure unity in implementation.

The license plate issue is not just a matter of form. It is an extremely important issue in terms of public safety, the peace of our country, and our general security strategies. Just as a person has an identity that identifies them, a national ID card, and a citizenship number belonging to them; a license plate is the identity of a vehicle, and the letters and numbers on it are that vehicle's number. Just as only authorized institutions issue our IDs for the sake of our security, license plates must also be obtained from authorized institutions in the same way.

Because license plates, just like our IDs, have certain security elements. The plate must bear the seal of TŞOF (Turkish Drivers and Automobile Federation). On the left side, the international sign of our country, the 'TR' code, must be present. Furthermore, plates contain holograms, security strips, and repeating crescent-star and TR security signs within square boxes.

As of January 1, 2024, a QR code and a 12-digit serial number have also been added to the plates produced. However, I would like to underline an important point here: The absence of a QR code on a plate does not mean it is fake. The presence of the seal and other security signs is sufficient for the plate to be standard-compliant and valid.

Similarly, if the seal of the authorized institution and other security signs are present on the plate, these plates are valid even if the letters and numbers are slightly thicker than the normal standard. Vehicle owners are not under any obligation to renew these plates. Our citizens can use their vehicles with these plates. No penal sanctions will be applied in traffic inspections due to these thick-lettered plates.

The authorized institution here is the Turkish Drivers and Automobile Federation. Maintaining the standard is important for this reason. Because the number of vehicles is increasing every year. Since 2019, the total number of motor vehicles in our country has risen from 23 million 200 thousand to 33 million 900 thousand.

The number of motorcycles has increased from 3 million 300 thousand to 7 million 200 thousand. Currently, the total number of registered vehicles is 34 million 525 thousand 761. It is extremely difficult to inspect such a large vehicle fleet healthily without a strong technological infrastructure and a standard license plate system.

The security vulnerabilities created by these plates should not be ignored. Non-standard APP plates cannot be accurately detected by electronic inspection infrastructures such as radar systems, PTS (license plate recognition systems), KGS (urban surveillance systems), and EDS (electronic inspection system). This creates a serious security gap in the field. Because in every case where the plate cannot be read correctly, the effectiveness of the inspection weakens; and risks arise in terms of traffic safety, public order, and the peace of our citizens.

"THE ISSUE IS TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD"

More importantly, there is the possibility that this vulnerability could be exploited by malicious individuals. Such non-standard applications create serious drawbacks in the pursuit of acts that endanger traffic safety, disrupt public order, or constitute crimes. Our issue is to protect the peace and rights of our citizens. This subject is far beyond being a plate format; it is directly a matter of security, public order, and law.

Therefore, the issue here is not to create difficulties for our citizens. The issue is to maintain the standard. The issue is to carry out inspections healthily. The issue is to ensure clarity, accuracy, and reliability at every stage of our security system. We approach this issue with this understanding. We will continue to provide guidance so that our citizens do not suffer grievances; but we will also meticulously protect the standard required for the security of our country.

Another point I would like to draw attention to here is this: The implementation regulation that will clarify the field application of some regulations brought by law with its procedures and principles has not yet entered into force. Therefore, some hesitations that have arisen are not due to the purpose of the law, but due to the process of clarifying the framework regarding the implementation through regulation.

For this reason, work on the regulation is being carried out meticulously. Until these studies are completed, a guidance-based approach will be adopted in the field to avoid causing grievances for our citizens. Issues that create hesitation in practice will be made clearer, more understandable, and more uniform.

The issue regarding imaging devices in the driver's monitoring and usage area is also being evaluated separately. Our basic approach is very clear; to ensure a balance that is fair, puts our citizens' minds at ease, and protects life safety on the roads. We will carry out the process in the healthiest way without compromising on security and without leaving our citizens in uncertainty.

TRAFFIC FINES

I have been a public servant for 29 years. I have never heard of a request coming from the Ministry of Finance to date. Such a thing is out of the question. The Republic of Turkey is a state of law, and no one would attempt or could attempt such a situation that would constitute a violation of the law.

When we look at the number and amount of fines applied during this past Ramadan Feast holiday, I would like it to be known that it remained behind the number and amount of fines applied during similar holiday periods in recent years.

SPEED LIMIT ZONE APPLICATIONS

We have implemented a protocol with our Ministry of Transport to ensure uniformity in this regard. We have overhauled speed limit signs and all traffic signs that could cause confusion throughout Turkey.

A total of 102 thousand 476 of such traffic signs that were the subject of criticism have been removed. In addition, 20 thousand 805 new traffic signs have been added to eliminate confusion.

POLICE PROFESSION LAW

As a police officer's father, just like everyone else, I know how important our police are in protecting public order and establishing the peace and security of our country, and how selflessly they work. We have a study that we plan to finalize next week.

According to this study, we foresee a regulation that will allow the watchmen (bekçiler) serving across our country to be assigned to areas where they are needed under the command and administration of the Governorship, instead of only serving during night hours. Our Bazaar and Neighborhood Watchmen will be able to undertake guard duties at points to be determined with the initiative to be taken in the provinces.

In addition, 10 thousand of our police candidates are graduating from the Police Academy this term. We will move the graduation calendar, which was planned for September, to the beginning of June. Thus, we will switch to a 12/36 hour work schedule across our country. We will implement regulations that will ease the working conditions of our police and increase their motivation.

FIGHT AGAINST STREET GANGS

Through you, our esteemed members of the press, we have announced to the public that we have declared 2026 the year of the fight against street gangs. Our youth, our children are our future. We do not have the luxury of losing even a single child. At this point, our stance against these gang activities that try to drag our children into crime is clear.

We are making a call from here clearly and plainly. Let them turn back while the road is still near, because our state is extremely determined on this matter. I have given the instructions to our Police and Gendarmerie organizations. We will come down hard on all of them. Our operations will continue to increase. As you know, last week, we caught 358 people in a significant operation across Turkey and delivered them to justice.

We will reflect the same determination in the field regarding the fight against drugs. In addition to our Police and Gendarmerie personnel, our Coast Guard and Intelligence units will increase their effectiveness in the field with tactical operations. Drugs are like a vein that feeds all crimes. For us, drugs are a multi-layered field of struggle.

Drugs lie at the root of many issues that disrupt society and our family structure, especially the financing source of terrorism and gangs. The most painful part is this; Drugs target our youth in particular; they try to wither their minds, hopes, and ideals. We are determined to dry up that source. We will be uncompromising and determined on drug-related issues. We will not give them any breathing room.

Indeed, between January 1 and March 22, 2026, 13 tons of narcotic substances, 37.8 million synthetic pharmaceuticals, and 13 thousand cannabis-skunk plants were seized within the scope of the fight against drugs. This picture clearly shows how intense and determined our struggle in the field is. For this reason, we are carrying out our social policies with an understanding that centers on the family, school, environment, and youth.

Preventive educational studies, awareness-raising activities, guidance mechanisms, and early warning and early intervention processes in the fight against addiction are extremely important to us. We see every step that will enable our youth to exist more strongly in sports, education, art, and social life as a part of this struggle.

BORDER SECURITY

Every crisis and every conflict experienced in our region inevitably concerns many topics closely, especially migration mobility and border security. Our greatest wish is for such war and conflict environments to end as soon as possible on both a regional and global scale, for the parties to strengthen dialogue channels, and for a permanent calm to be established.

Turkey is a country that has long defended this line. Our esteemed President is conducting intense diplomatic traffic to end the conflict, bring diplomacy to the fore, and prevent the region from experiencing new pains. Our hope is that these efforts will yield results as soon as possible.

On the other hand, as Turkey, we do not see the issue of border security as a temporary topic that only comes to the agenda during crisis periods. Border security is a security area that always has strategic importance for us, is constantly monitored, and is managed in a multi-layered way.

Turkey is one of the most powerful and prepared countries in the world in this field with its physical security infrastructure, technological capabilities, human resources, and institutional coordination capacity. All units of our state are working in full coordination on this matter.

Indeed, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, we made inspections at our Gürbulak Border Gate in Ağrı and along our border line. We evaluated the situation in the field on-site. As of now, there is no abnormal situation on our border line. However, we have taken all our measures. There is no gap that would require hesitation regarding our border security.

We are also following the issue of crossings from Iran to Turkey very closely. Currently, the Iranian side does not allow its own citizens to exit. In contrast, there is an increase in the return of Iranians in Turkey to their countries compared to previous years. Therefore, for us, the process is being managed in a controlled manner, within the coordination of all our relevant institutions.

In summary; while we advocate for diplomacy for peace in the region on one hand, we are also decisively implementing all measures without allowing the slightest vulnerability regarding Turkey's border security on the other.

INVESTIGATION INTO MUNICIPALITIES

After the March 31, 2024 elections, 3 thousand 224 examinations were carried out by the relevant units of our Ministry of Interior within the scope of reports, complaints, and special inspections. Investigation permission was granted for 1 thousand 298 of these.

591 of these are AK Party municipalities. Investigation permission was granted for 321 CHP, 102 MHP, 6 IYI Party, 18 DEM, and 260 municipalities from other parties.

According to this data, the municipalities with the most investigation permissions are AK Party municipalities. It corresponds to approximately 46 percent.

Let us express the procedures carried out regarding the allegations against Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş as follows: A total of 49 research / preliminary investigation approvals have been granted regarding various allegations and issues concerning the period of Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş since 2019.

As a result of the research / preliminary investigations conducted by Civil Service Inspectors; 22 preliminary investigation reports were prepared by our Inspection Board.

In these preliminary investigation reports, 6 "Granting Investigation Permission" decisions were made regarding Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş on 31 issues. The 31 issues were gathered under 6 headings. The Council of State overturned 2 of the 6 investigation permissions regarding the Ankara Metropolitan Mayor.

In addition, 25 "Not Granting Investigation Permission" decisions were taken regarding issues concerning lower-level individuals who were determined not to have the knowledge, signature, and approval of the Metropolitan Mayor directly. Regarding other relevant municipal officials, it was decided to partially "Grant Investigation Permission".

18 research reports were prepared on issues where no criminal element was found.

12 referral reports were transferred to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for investigation according to general provisions.

1 referral report was sent to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance for processing according to financial legislation,

1 compensation report was sent to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality for the collection of the public damage incurred.

The process regarding 12 research / preliminary investigations conducted by Civil Service Inspectors is ongoing.

General inspection is continuing in the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and its affiliated organizations within the scope of routine winter inspections.

We are representatives of a political understanding that does not cover up mistakes; but faces mistakes and corrects wrongs with determination.

As our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also stated, the saying "Protecting the trust of the nation is our most fundamental responsibility, and we are against those who do wrong, whoever they may be" is a guiding principle for us.

With this understanding; whoever it may be, whatever position they hold, the state's stance against anyone who harms the rights and laws of the nation is clear.

The picture that emerges today clearly shows that; inspection mechanisms are operating effectively in Turkey, and the law is being applied with determination. In this process, no political identity and no office provides privileges to individuals.

If there is a wrong, the necessary action is taken; if there is a deficiency, it is corrected without delay. Because in our understanding of politics, the essential thing is to be worthy of the trust of our nation.

For this reason, we evaluate the ongoing investigation processes not as a subject of debate; but as a concrete indicator of Turkey's democratic maturity, commitment to the rule of law, and institutional strength.