Türkiye Winter Tire Rule Starts on 15 November

Türkiye’s winter tire requirement for commercial vehicles on intercity roads starts on Sunday, 15 November 2026 and runs until Thursday, 15 April 2027. Operators of vehicles without winter tires face a 5,856 lira fine for 2026, and vehicles that do not comply may be kept off the road.

When does the winter tire requirement start?

For the 2026-2027 winter season, the mandatory period starts on Sunday, 15 November 2026 and ends on Thursday, 15 April 2027. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure moved the start date from 1 December to 15 November with a regulation published in the Official Gazette on 4 October 2025. The rule covers commercial vehicles carrying passengers or freight on intercity highways.

Countdown and end date

As of 21 October 2026, 25 days remain until 15 November, or 3 weeks and 4 days. The mandatory period runs for 152 days from 15 November 2026 to 15 April 2027; 109 of those days are weekdays. You can check the remaining days with the day counter, and the date difference calculator shows the gap between two dates.

Which vehicles are covered, and are private cars included?

The requirement applies to commercial road transport on intercity highways. Covered vehicles include:

• Buses, minibuses, trucks, tractor units and tankers
• Light commercial vehicles operated for commercial purposes
• Pickups and panel vans used for commercial purposes

There is no nationwide winter tire requirement for private (passenger) cars. The ministry recommends that private car owners use winter tires even though they are outside the rule. Carrying or fitting snow chains does not remove the obligation. Tire conditions vary by vehicle type.

What is the fine for not fitting winter tires?

The fine is issued under Article 65/A of the Highway Traffic Law. For 2026, the operator of a vehicle that does not comply faces a 5,856 lira administrative fine. The vehicle is allowed to go to the nearest settlement where its tires can be made suitable. A commercial vehicle without winter tires is not allowed on the road. Haber7 reports that the fine will rise in 2027 under the revaluation rate, based on the Yİ-ÜFE (domestic producer price index) announced by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Its examples show 7,200 lira at a 20% rate, 7,500 lira at 25% and 7,800 lira at 30%.

To check your own dates, use the day counter.