A new era in traffic: 200,000 lira fines, license revocations, and heavy sanctions

In the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), 10 more articles of the Draft Law on Amendments to the Highway Traffic Law, which includes regulations that significantly increase traffic fines, have been accepted. With the accepted articles, both heavy sanctions and new rules are preparing to come into effect.

PERMIT AND FEE REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL LOAD TRANSPORT

According to the regulation, it will be mandatory to obtain a permit from the General Directorate of Highways for vehicles carrying loads that have special characteristics due to their weight and dimensions, cannot be transported by other transport systems, and exceed transport limits. A road usage fee will be collected from these vehicles by the institution responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the road.

The said fee will be determined and announced every year by the General Directorate of Highways, taking into account the tonnage per axle, the number of axles, the transport distance, and the impact on the project life of the road. The procedures and principles regarding special permits will be regulated by a regulation to be issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure after obtaining the opinion of the Ministry of Interior.

If traffic police support is received for special load transports, a service fee of 16,000 lira will be paid for each day of duty. This amount will be increased annually by the revaluation rate and recorded as revenue to the general budget.

HEAVY MONETARY FINES FOR UNLICENSED AND BANNED DRIVERS

An administrative fine of 40,000 lira will be imposed on those who drive without a driver's license. A fine of 200,000 lira will be applied to those who drive despite their license being temporarily or provisionally withdrawn by the court, prosecutor's office, or authorized bodies, as well as those who get behind the wheel even though their license has been revoked. In addition, the operators who allow these vehicles to be used will also be fined 40,000 lira via their license plate.

LANE RULES AND WRONG-WAY DRIVING BAN CLARIFIED

Lane usage has been reorganized for vehicles other than motorcycles, automobiles, pickup trucks, panel vans, minibuses, and buses, such as trucks and tractor units. These vehicles will be required to travel in the same direction unless there is a sign to the contrary. Driving in the opposite direction on divided roads within and outside residential areas has also been explicitly banned.

Driving vehicles on pedestrian paths and the use of bicycle paths and lanes by vehicles other than bicycles and electric scooters have also been included in the scope of the ban.

HIGH FINES FOR AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DRIVING

An administrative fine of 90,000 lira will be applied to those who change lanes consecutively in a way that endangers traffic, those who travel in the opposite direction, and those who obstruct traffic in convoys or with arbitrary actions. The licenses of these drivers will be withdrawn for 60 days, and their vehicles will be banned from traffic for 30 days.

Drivers who persistently follow another vehicle for the purpose of aggression in traffic or who get out of their vehicle for this purpose will be fined 180,000 lira; their licenses will be withdrawn for 60 days and their vehicles may be banned from traffic for 30 days. Drivers whose licenses are withdrawn for these reasons will be able to obtain a new license after a psychotechnical evaluation.

GRADUAL SANCTIONS FOR RED LIGHT AND 'STOP' VIOLATIONS

Fines for red light violations will be increased gradually according to the number of repetitions. An administrative fine of 10,000 lira will be applied for the second violation within a year, 15,000 lira for the third, 20,000 lira for the fourth, 30,000 lira for the fifth, and 80,000 lira for the sixth. License revocation will also be on the agenda for the sixth violation.

Those who flee by not obeying the police's "stop" order will be fined 200,000 lira; their licenses will be withdrawn for 60 days and their vehicles will be banned from traffic for 60 days.

RECORD FINES FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

The fine for driving under the influence of alcohol above 0.50 promille will be increased to 25,000 lira. A fine of 50,000 lira will be applied to those caught drunk for the second time, and 150,000 lira for the third and subsequent violations.

Drivers found to have used drugs or stimulants will be given an administrative fine of 150,000 lira and their licenses will be revoked. In addition, the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code will also be applied to these individuals. Drivers who refuse to undergo testing will also face a fine of 150,000 lira and their licenses will be withdrawn for 5 years.

STRICT INSPECTION OF TACHOGRAPHS AND REST PERIODS

Gradual monetary fines have been introduced for drivers and operators if vehicles required to have a tachograph are used in violation of driving and rest periods. In case of exceeding daily, weekly, and bi-weekly driving times, administrative fines ranging from 1,000 lira to 20,000 lira will be applied. If the driver is also the operator, the fines will double.

NEW TARIFF FOR SPEED LIMIT VIOLATIONS

Monetary fines to be applied to those who exceed the speed limit within and outside residential areas have also been redetermined. Depending on the degree of the violation, fines will range from 2,000 lira to 30,000 lira. The licenses of drivers who exceed the speed limit above certain thresholds will be withdrawn for 30, 60, or 90 days.

In addition, the production, import, and possession of devices that determine the location of speed detection devices or warn the driver will be banned. An administrative fine ranging from 185,000 lira to 370,000 lira will be applied to those who do not comply with this ban. The regulation will come into effect on December 31, 2025.

FINE FOR NOT GIVING WAY TO VEHICLES WITH RIGHT-OF-WAY

An administrative fine ranging from 15,000 lira to 46,000 lira will be applied to drivers who do not give way to municipal police, ambulances, fire trucks, disaster and emergency vehicles, and vehicles with right-of-way. In some violations, license withdrawal and banning vehicles from traffic will also be involved.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADJOURNED

On the other hand, a Consultative Committee decision was taken for the General Assembly not to meet today and tomorrow. TBMM Deputy Speaker Pervin Buldan adjourned the session after the 17th article was accepted. As the Commission did not take its place, the session was closed to meet on Tuesday, January 20, at 15.00.

News Source: 12punto