Dilek Bozkurt/HALKWEBThe new regulation opens the way to “driver's license revocation” for drivers who make a habit of breaking the rules. A giant amendment to the Highways Traffic Law has entered into force: Dozens of violations, from alcohol to cell phones, from high speed to drifting, will result in license revocation and heavy fines.
Drivers whose licenses have been revoked for the second time in the last 5 years will have their licenses completely revoked. These people will have to take a course and successfully complete the exams before they can drive again.
All accumulated traffic fines must be paid in order to get the confiscated driver's license back. For some violations, an additional psychotechnical evaluation report will be required.
Current Penalties and Periods according to Violation Types
1. Speed Limit Violations (Inside and Outside the City)
The driver's license will be confiscated gradually according to the rate of exceeding the speed limit:
City 30 days for exceeding 46-55 km/h, 60 days for exceeding 56-65 km/h, 90 days for exceeding 66 km/h and above.
Out of Town: 30 days for exceeding 51-60 km/h, 60 days for exceeding 61-70 km/h, 90 days for exceeding 71 km/h.
2. Dangerous Driving and “Magandalism”
Scissors and Drift: A fine of 90,000 TL, confiscation of driver's license for 60 days and banning the vehicle from traffic for 30 days.
Motorcycle Aerobatics: One wheel, lying on the saddle, etc. will be fined 46 thousand TL and the driver's license will be confiscated for 60 days.
Offensive Surveillance: Those who persistently follow a vehicle or harass a vehicle by getting out of it will be fined 180,000 TL and have their driver's license restricted for 60 days.
3. License Plate and Document Forgery
Fake license plate: 140 thousand TL fine and driver's license confiscation for 30 days. In case of a repeat offense, the fine increases to 280,000 TL and there is a risk of imprisonment under the Turkish Penal Code.
Unreadable license plate: Those who hide their license plates will be fined 140,000 TL, and 280,000 TL for repeat offenses.
Vehicle Without License Plate: 46 thousand TL administrative fine.
4. Alcohol, Drugs and Test Refusal
Narcotic Drugs: Those detected will have their driver's license revoked directly and will be fined 150 thousand TL.
Rejecting the Test: Those who fail to have alcohol or drug tests will be fined 150,000 TL and their driver's licenses will be confiscated for 5 years.
Drunk Driving: For each detection above 0.50 promil, the driver's license will be confiscated for a certain period of time.
5. Other Significant Violations
Failure to obey a police “Stop” warning: 200,000 TL fine and license suspension for 60 days.
Violation of the Right of Way: Those who do not give way to an ambulance or fire brigade will be fined 46,000 TL and have their driver's license restricted for 30 days.
Cell Phone Use: If those who talk on the phone while driving violate this rule 3 times within 1 year, they will pay a fine of 20 thousand TL each time and their driver's license will be confiscated for 30 days.
These regulations, which aim to protect the safety of life and property in traffic, aim to ensure that the “price” of rule violations is not only a fine, but also the loss of the right to drive.