Traffic Fines in Turkey | Costs & How to Pay (2025)

In the Turkish legal system, administrative fines are not determined arbitrarily but are increased annually by the Revaluation Rate (YDO) announced by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance in accordance with Article 298 of the Tax Procedure Law.

In light of the data announced at the end of 2024, the Revaluation Rate for 2025 has been finalized as 43.93%. This rate was used as a “multiplier” in the calculation of traffic fines, causing the fine amounts of the previous year to increase by approximately 1.44 times.

From an economic perspective, the main motive for this increase is not only inflationary adjustment. At the same time, it is aimed to change driver behaviors towards compliance with rules within the scope of “rational choice theory” by increasing the opportunity cost of violating traffic rules. For example, the fact that the “drifting” fine has reached the level of 46,393 TL, which is well above the average income level, shows that this violation has ceased to be a simple misdemeanor and carries a serious risk of economic destruction.

Highway Traffic Law Violations and 2025 Sanctions

In this section, violations that are most frequently encountered in traffic, directly threaten public safety, and have the highest increase rates in 2025 are analyzed accompanied by the full texts of the relevant law articles.

1. Driving Without a License Fine (Article 36)

A driver’s license is an official authorization document proving to the state that the person has the competence to drive a vehicle. The absence of this document constitutes an “abstract danger” crime in terms of traffic safety.

Full Text of the Law Article:

ARTICLE 36 – (Amended: 12/7/2013-6495/15 art.)

It is prohibited for motor vehicles to be driven on highways by persons who do not possess a driver’s license and to permit such driving.

In the event that it is determined via license plate or image that those who do not have a driver’s license, those whose driver’s licenses have been temporarily or precautiously withdrawn by Courts or Public Prosecutors or authorities specified in this Law, or those whose driver’s licenses have been cancelled, are driving vehicles in traffic; an administrative fine shall be imposed on them and the license plate owners (if the license plate does not belong to the driver) by the traffic police pursuant to the third paragraph of Article 36 of Law No. 2918.

(Amended paragraph: 18/10/2018-7148/18 art.) Drivers and vehicle owners acting contrary to the provisions of this article shall be imposed an administrative fine. If the driver is not also the vehicle owner, a fine report for the same amount shall also be issued to the license plate owner.

Legal Analysis and 2025 Application:

Article 36 has become one of the articles with the highest financial sanction power in 2025. The legislator has adopted a “double fine” system to prevent driving without a license.

• Scope of Violation: Three groups listed in the text of the article (those with no license at all, those whose license has been seized, those whose license has been cancelled) are subject to the same sanction.

• 2025 Fine Amount: The fine amount, which was 12,977 TL in 2024, has increased to 18,678 TL with a 43.93% increase.

• Vehicle Owner’s Liability: The most critical paragraph of the article is the phrase “to drivers and vehicle owners”. If the person behind the wheel is different from the license holder, a fine of 18,678 TL is issued to both separately. In this case, the total amount to be paid reaches 37,356 TL.

• Recidivism: In case of repetition of the Article 36 violation, there is also a risk of opening a judicial investigation pursuant to Article 179 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Status of Foreign Drivers:

The Highway Traffic Convention to which Turkey is a party and national legislation allow foreigners to drive vehicles for a certain period.

Highway Traffic Regulation Article 88 – Paragraph (b)

Foreign country citizens driving vehicles in our country with driver’s licenses obtained from foreign countries:

1. A copy of the driver’s license shall be kept together with the Turkish translation approved by a notary or consulate and presented upon request.

2. Vehicles can be driven for a maximum of six months from the date of entry into our country.

3. In order to drive vehicles in our country at the end of six months, it is mandatory to exchange the driver’s license obtained from foreign countries with our country’s driver’s license.

   This period starts from the date the foreigner last entered Turkey (entry stamp in the passport).

2. Obligation to Comply with Traffic Signs and Rules (Article 47)

Traffic order is a set of rules based on a certain hierarchy. Article 47 regulates this hierarchy and the basic directives to be followed.

Full Text of the Law Article:

ARTICLE 47 – Those benefiting from highways are obliged to comply with the following according to the order below;

a) Warnings and signs of traffic police charged with regulating and supervising traffic or other authorized persons in special uniforms and carrying signs,

b) Traffic lights,

c) Matters indicated or shown by traffic signboards, devices, and road markings,

d) Other rules, prohibitions, obligations, or liabilities related to traffic safety and order and shown in the regulation.

Legal Analysis and 2025 Application:

• 47/1-a (Disobeying Police Warning): Not obeying the traffic police’s “STOP” warning. 2025 Fine: 2,168 TL. (Penalty Points: 20).

• 47/1-b (Red Light Violation): Violation monitored 24/7 with EDS. 2025 Fine: 2,168 TL. (Penalty Points: 20).

  • License Withdrawal: The license of a driver who violates a red light 3 times in a year is seized for 30 days; 45 days for 6 times; 60 days for 9 times.

• 47/1-c and 47/1-d (Signs and General Rules): Stopping prohibitions, mandatory direction signs, etc. 2025 Fine: 993 TL. (Penalty Points: 20).

3. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Drugs (Article 48)

Article 48 application has been severely toughened in 2025 in terms of both financial and administrative measures.

A. Drunk Driving Fines (Graduated System):

The law considers recidivism in alcohol use as an aggravating factor (retrospective 5 years).

• First Catch: 9,268 TL fine + License seized for 6 months.

• Second Catch: 11,622 TL fine + License seized for 2 years (SÜDGE training mandatory).

• Third and More: 18,678 TL fine + License seized for 5 years. Also, judicial proceedings are initiated with a request for imprisonment of not less than 6 months pursuant to TCK 179/3.

B. Drugs and Stimulants:

There is no promil limit; detection is sufficient. 2025 Fine: 47,842 TL. License seized for 5 years.

C. Refusal of Measurement (Not Blowing into Device):

Driver’s refusal to blow into the breathalyzer or drug-test device. 2025 Fine: 26,558 TL. License seized for 2 years.

4. Speed Limit Violation (Radar) Fines (Article 51)

Due to the effect of kinetic energy on accident severity, speed violations are subject to a fine system graduated according to their rates.

Full Text of the Law Article:

ARTICLE 51 – Drivers are obliged not to exceed the speed limits specified in the regulation unless a decision to the contrary is taken and marked.

Administrative fines are imposed on drivers who exceed the speed limits determined in the Regulation as a result of detection made with speed measuring technical devices or various technical methods;

a) From ten percent to thirty percent (thirty included),

b) From thirty percent to fifty percent (fifty included),

c) More than fifty percent.

Legal Analysis and 2025 Application:

Legal tolerance is 10% (e.g., at a 120 km/h limit, the fine starts above 132 km/h).

• Between 10% – 30% (51/2-a): 2,168 TL (10 Points).

• Between 30% – 50% (51/2-b): 4,512 TL (15 Points).

• 50% and Above (51/2-c): 9,268 TL (15 Points). If violated 5 times in 1 year, the license is seized for 1 year.

5. Drifting and Dangerous Maneuver Fine (Article 67)

Actions that deliberately disrupt traffic flow and are performed for demonstration purposes are tied to a heavy sanction.

Full Text of the Law Article (Relevant Paragraph):

ARTICLE 67 – (…)

d) (Added: 18/10/2018-7148/22 art.) It is prohibited to change the direction of the vehicle suddenly or spin it around itself by pulling the handbrake or by other methods, knowingly and willingly, outside of turning rules on highways, without any necessity.

Legal Analysis and 2025 Application:

For the action known as “drifting”, the 2025 Fine is determined as 46,393 TL. Additionally, the license is seized for 60 days and the vehicle is banned from traffic for 60 days.

2025 Traffic Fines Full List (Table)

The tables below summarize the finalized fine amounts for 2025.

Table 1: Basic Driver Violations and Fine Increases

Table 2: Vehicle Status and Traffic Order Violations

Traffic Fine Payment, Discount and Periods

Early Payment Discount (25%) and New Periods

The 15-day period traditionally applied in traffic fines was extended with the regulation amendment dated January 31, 2024.

• New Rule: If the payment is made within 1 month from the notification date of the traffic administrative fine decision report, a 25% discount is applied to the fine amount.

• Calculation Example (2025): If a fine of 2,168 TL is paid within 1 month, it is collected as 1,626 TL with a discount of 542 TL.

Where and How to Pay Traffic Fines?

In 2025, the payment infrastructure is completely digitized:

1. GİB – Digital Tax Office: (dijital.gib.gov.tr) With the “Declared Payment” feature, payment can be made with receipt information even if the fine is not yet in the system.

2. e-Government Gateway: Via “My Vehicles” menu.

3. Banking System: Mobile banking and ATMs.

4. Physical Payment: Tax Office counters and PTT.

How to Appeal a Traffic Ticket?

If you think an unfair traffic fine has been applied to you, you have the right to appeal the fine by applying to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace within the legal period. You can review our article titled How to Appeal a Traffic Ticket in Turkey? (2025) to get comprehensive information about the appeal period, competent court, and required petition samples.

Conclusion

In conclusion; it is vital for drivers who will be on the road in 2025 to be aware of the heavy financial obligations brought by Law No. 2918 and to comply with traffic signs and rules to the maximum extent, not only for their own life safety but also for their economic sustainability.