Attention drivers: What to do if your vehicle license plate is lost?

A vehicle license plate is one of the most important documents, as it contains all registration information for a vehicle, indicates that it is cleared for traffic, and identifies the owner. With the rise in the use of fake plates or an increase in plate theft, individuals can face very dangerous situations when their plates are lost or stolen. In such a case, the necessary procedures must be carried out without delay.

What should be done when a plate is lost?

If you are certain that your plate has been lost or stolen, the first step is to apply to the Traffic Branch Directorate where the vehicle is registered or where the vehicle owner resides. A petition stating that the plate is lost must be filled out to create a loss report. After completing the procedures there, you must go to a notary public to submit an application. The process of having a new plate printed must be completed at the nearest Chamber of Drivers with the notary-approved plate printing document. One of the most important points to remember is that for all these procedures to be carried out, the vehicle with the lost plate must have a mandatory traffic insurance policy. Otherwise, it will not be possible to initiate the procedures.

Does the license plate number change when a plate is lost?

According to the Highway Traffic Regulation; "In the event that one or both of the registration plates are stolen or both are lost, the traffic registration authority where the vehicle is registered or the traffic registration authority in the place where the vehicle owner's residence address is located shall assign a new registration plate sequence number to the vehicle based on the order from the letter and number groups determined by the General Directorate of Security." Therefore, it is not possible to reissue a lost plate with the same number. The vehicle owner will have to use a new plate.

Is it prohibited to drive without a plate or with a single plate?

If a registered vehicle is driven without a plate, an administrative fine is applied to the driver at the current traffic fine rate. The vehicle is prohibited from traffic until the registration plate is installed in the appropriate place.

How does the plate renewal process work?

In case of any damage to the plate, you can process it by applying to a notary instead of going to the traffic branch. In this process, you go to the notary, hand over the damaged plate, and a plate printing document is issued. Afterward, you can go to the Chamber of Drivers with this document to have a new plate or plates printed.

As of January 1, 2024, new plates are printed with a QR code. This 15 x 15 mm QR code added to the plate contains information such as the vehicle's serial number and production details. Officials who scan this code can quickly view information about the vehicle. This practice was put into operation to ensure that vehicles are tracked more easily and to increase their security.

Is there a change in the license plate number when a plate is lost?

The answer to the question of what to do if a plate is lost is one of the topics many drivers are curious about. According to the regulations, in the event that a plate is stolen or lost, a new registration plate number is assigned in order from the letter and number groups determined by the General Directorate of Security by the traffic registration authority where the vehicle is registered or the traffic registration authority in the place where the vehicle owner resides. In this case, it is not possible to reissue the lost plate with the same number. That is, it is not possible to reissue the lost plate with the same number; a new plate is allocated.

Which documents are required for a plate change?

The documents required for a plate change include the following:

National ID Card: Required for identity verification; it allows the vehicle owner to prove their identity.

Mandatory Traffic Insurance Policy: A valid and current traffic insurance policy is required for the vehicle to be legally allowed on the road.

The Vehicle's Old Traffic Document and Plates: When changing a plate, the old plates and the vehicle's traffic document are usually requested.

Document Showing Notary Sale or Temporary Registration Certificate: If the vehicle was newly purchased or a transfer transaction was carried out, a notary sale document or temporary registration certificate is also required. These documents prove the vehicle transfer transactions and that the owner has changed.

These documents are generally the standard documents requested for a plate change. However, in some cases, there may be additional documents or further requests. It is important to consult the relevant traffic branch or authorized institutions for the full and current list of documents for a plate change.

What is the cost of issuing a replacement for a lost plate?

Fees for changing a plate or issuing a replacement for a lost plate can vary depending on various factors and can be updated every year. First of all, the plate change process depends on factors such as the notary fee and the reprinting fee. For special plates, a different pricing may apply. The fee for issuing a replacement for a lost plate has not yet been announced for 2024. The 2024 plate change fee has also not been finalized. The plate printing fee may vary depending on the number of plates. The special plate change fee can be calculated by multiplying it by the civil servant monthly salary coefficient and adding 18% VAT.