Türkiye mandates winter tires for commercial vehicles from November 15, with 6,000-lira fine

Türkiye will require commercial vehicles carrying passengers and goods between cities to use winter tires from November 15, after extending the requirement from four months to five. The administrative fine is 6,000 liras.

Under a regulation issued by Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, winter tires will be mandatory from November 15, 2026, for commercial vehicles carrying passengers or goods on intercity roads. The requirement previously applied for four months, from December 1 to April 1, but an amendment has extended the period to five months starting November 15.

The regulation covers buses, minibuses, trucks, tractor-trailers, tankers and light commercial vehicles. Legal amendments enacted this year set the administrative fine for noncompliant vehicles at 6,000 Turkish liras.

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There is no nationwide requirement for private cars, but provinces may issue decisions covering private vehicles within their borders based on weather and road conditions. They may also bring forward the start of the requirement or extend it by one month.

Experts recommend using winter tires when temperatures fall below 7 degrees Celsius because they improve road grip, shorten braking distances and reduce the risk of skidding. Commercial vehicle owners are advised to inspect their tires before November 15, while private car drivers should follow the decisions of the province where they live.