Traffic Fines in Turkey (2026) — Complete Guide for Foreigners

Red light cameras active at major intersections in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir

Hands-free permitted. Hand-held calls and texting are fined on the spot.

Front and rear seatbelts required. Children under 12 must use child seats.

Driver liable for unbelted passengers in some circumstances

Turkey uses 0.50 promille (equivalent to 50mg/100ml blood) limit

Criminal prosecution, vehicle impounded, mandatory alcohol programme

Vehicle impounded until valid insurance presented

Towing fee ₺2,000–4,000 additional; storage fee per day

Automatically generated from plate photography; sent to registered address

Licence confiscated, vehicle impounded, possible court referral

Hit-and-run is a criminal offence in Turkey regardless of severity

Annual vehicle inspection (muayene) is mandatory; expired certificate fined on stop

Fixed radar (TRAFİK RADAR sign)

Location: Urban roads and urban motorway entry points

Static camera behind yellow box. Often preceded by a warning sign. Most photograph both directions.

Average speed cameras (OGS radar zones)

Location: Intercity motorways and some dual carriageways

Measures average speed between two gantry points. No single speed trap — average over 10–50km is measured.

Mobile radar unit (MOBESE)

Location: Operated by traffic police on all roads

Police vehicle or portable tripod unit. Can be anywhere at any time.

Red light cameras

Location: Major intersections in cities

Triggered on red light running — photographs front and rear plates. Applies to all lanes.

MOBESE city surveillance

Location: Major city streets (Istanbul MOBESE network is extensive)

General city CCTV with speed measurement capability — not just police cameras.

How much are traffic fines in Turkey?

Turkish traffic fines range from ₺850 for a minor seatbelt infraction to ₺21,600+ for drunk driving over the legal limit. Speeding fines range from ₺1,085 (up to 10% over limit) to ₺7,200+ (over 50% above limit). Red light camera fines are ₺3,600. All fine amounts are updated annually by the Turkish government.

How do I pay a Turkish traffic fine?

Turkish traffic fines can be paid at: PTT post offices (with cash or card), via e-Devlet at turkiye.gov.tr, at Ziraat/Vakıf/Halkbank ATMs, or at the Traffic Directorate office. If you have a Turkish bank account, most mobile banking apps support trafik cezası payments. Bring the fine notice (ihbarname) or fine number.

Do Turkish traffic fines apply to foreign drivers?

Yes. Fines from traffic cameras are sent to the registered vehicle address — for foreign-registered vehicles, enforcement depends on your home country's bilateral agreement with Turkey. EU countries increasingly share traffic enforcement data. If stopped by police directly, fines are issued on the spot regardless of nationality.

What is the speed limit in Turkey?

Speed limits in Turkey: Urban areas (city/town roads): 50 km/h. Rural roads (devlet yolu): 90 km/h. Dual carriageways: 110 km/h. Motorways (otoyol): 120–130 km/h depending on section. Speed limit signs override these general limits. Average speed camera zones are clearly signed on major motorways.

What is the drink-driving limit in Turkey?

Turkey's drink-driving limit is 0.50 promille (equivalent to 50mg/100ml blood alcohol — the same as most European countries). Professional drivers must be below 0.20 promille. Exceeding 0.50 results in a fine of ₺9,000, 6-month licence suspension, and mandatory alcohol programme. Over 1.00 promille is treated as a criminal offence.

Can I be fined for using my phone while driving in Turkey?

Yes. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving incurs a ₺2,700 fine and 5 penalty points. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth/speakerphone via dashboard) are permitted. Writing, reading, or looking at a screen while driving is also an offence. Police enforce this visibly in urban areas and traffic checkpoints.

What happens if I drive through a Turkish toll without paying?

Turkey's toll system (HGS) automatically photographs your plate when passing through without a valid tag or insufficient balance. A fine of 5 times the original toll is generated and sent to the vehicle's registered address. These fines accumulate — a ₺100 toll becomes ₺600. Unpaid toll fines must be cleared before Turkish vehicle registration renewal.