Car rental services in Istanbul have become a very common option both for tourists and for those seeking convenience in city transportation. However, one of the most frequently asked questions during the rental process is who is responsible for traffic fines. Fines issued for speeding, parking violations, or by electronic enforcement systems may sometimes be directed to the renter and sometimes to the rental company. At this point, the practices of car rental companies in Istanbul and the official regulations are highly important.
In rental cars, traffic fines are generally the responsibility of the person who rented the vehicle. In a city like Istanbul with heavy traffic, it is crucial for the driver to be careful, as situations such as illegal parking, speeding, and lane violations in restricted areas frequently result in fines. Rental companies provide clear information on this topic when the contract is signed and assign responsibility for fines to the renter.
However, who the fine is issued to may vary in practice. For example, a violation detected by the EDS (Electronic Enforcement System) is initially recorded to the vehicle’s license plate and therefore notified first to the car rental company. The company then passes this fine on to the renter, and the payment responsibility belongs to the renter. For this reason, when renting a car in Istanbul, it is very important to understand how fines are processed.
Car rental companies in Istanbul clearly specify the rules regarding traffic fines in the rental agreement. In this agreement, it is stated that the driver is responsible for all traffic violations committed during the rental period. Some companies may also charge an additional service fee when processing fines.
Rental agreements generally include the following points:
Responsibility for paying traffic fines lies entirely with the renter.
OGS/HGS toll fees are not included in the rental price and are charged separately to the renter.
Late payments may be invoiced to the renter with additional costs or processing fees.
Therefore, carefully reading this section of the contract before renting a car in Istanbul is critical to prevent unexpected expenses later on.
In Istanbul, traffic fines are technically issued to the vehicle’s license plate. For this reason, the fine first reaches the vehicle owner, namely the rental company. However, while processing the fine, the rental company informs the renter and requests payment from them.
In short:
Fines issued to the license plate → First reach the company.
Renter information is taken from the contract → The renter becomes responsible for the fine.
Payment obligation → Must be fulfilled by the renter.
At this point, if the renter claims the fine does not belong to them, they may file an objection with the Istanbul Traffic Inspection Directorate or via the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal. However, in general, about 95% of fines are passed directly to the renter.
Istanbul is one of the most strictly monitored cities, especially regarding speed limits and parking rules. Exceeding the speed limit in the city center can easily be detected by EDS cameras even over short distances. Such speeding fines are passed directly to the renter.
Parking fines are among the most common issues faced by rental car users in Istanbul. In busy areas such as Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy, illegal parking often results in a fine and the vehicle being towed. In this case, the renter must:
Pay the fine amount
Cover impound/towing and parking fees if the vehicle was towed
Additionally pay any processing fees the company may charge
Therefore, when renting a car in Istanbul, paying attention to parking rules is very important to prevent both financial and time loss.
One of the most commonly used enforcement systems in Istanbul is EDS. Situations such as speeding, running a red light, and violating the emergency lane are automatically detected by this system. For drivers using rental cars, these fines are charged directly to the person who rented the vehicle.
In addition, bridge and highway crossings in Istanbul are carried out via HGS/OGS systems. Most rental vehicles have an HGS tag, but usage is invoiced to the renter. If there is no balance on the HGS/OGS account, a toll violation fine occurs. These types of fines are also passed on to the renter.
Traffic fines in Istanbul are first served to the vehicle owner, i.e., the rental company. The company records the fine in its system and notifies the renter using the contact information provided in the contract, requesting payment. Most companies include the right in the agreement to automatically charge these fines to the renter’s credit card.
Although renters are generally required to pay the fine themselves, in some cases fine notifications may be delayed. This may result in the driver having to pay additional interest or fees. Major car rental companies in Istanbul manage these processes via digital platforms, establishing a faster and more transparent system.
A person who rents a car in Istanbul has the right to object if they believe a fine has been unjustly issued. The objection process is generally carried out through the Magistrates’ Courts (Sulh Ceza Hakimlikleri). It is also possible to submit an objection via the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal.
Important points renters should know:
Even if an objection is filed, the payment responsibility remains with the renter until the objection is concluded.
If the objection is accepted, the amount paid is refunded to the renter.
The objection period is limited to 15 days from the date the fine is served.
Therefore, people traveling with rental cars in Istanbul are advised to check fines promptly and, if necessary, file an objection quickly.
For those who rent a car in Istanbul and plan to go abroad, traffic fines are subject to a different procedure. Especially drivers traveling to countries such as Bulgaria, Greece, or other European countries should know that fines are recorded directly in that country’s traffic system. These fines are generally issued to the vehicle’s license plate and, through international data sharing, are reported to the car rental company in Turkey. The company then passes the fine on to the renter.
Fines issued abroad are not limited to traffic violations alone. Highway tolls, environmental taxes, or irregularities in private toll roads also fall within the scope of fines. Those renting a vehicle from Istanbul should carefully review both the rental agreement and the traffic rules of the destination country before traveling. Otherwise, it is possible to face high fines after returning from abroad.
Car rental companies in Istanbul have significant legal rights if traffic fines are not paid. By signing the contract, the renter acknowledges that fines are their responsibility. If the fine is not paid on time, the company pays it and then passes this amount to the renter along with additional costs.
Methods that rental companies may resort to in this case include:
Charging the credit card: The contract usually grants the company the right to charge the renter’s card for the fine amount.
Legal proceedings: If the fine is not paid, the company may initiate legal action through enforcement offices in Istanbul.
Blacklisting: Renters who fail to pay may be barred from renting from the same company again.
Therefore, it is very important for those who rent cars in Istanbul to pay fines without delay to prevent financial and legal issues.
Traffic fines related to rental cars in Istanbul are generally served to the vehicle owner, i.e., the rental company. The company’s responsibility in this process is to inform the renter and request payment. Large car rental companies often send these notifications via email or SMS.
The renter should closely follow this process because some traffic fines in Istanbul may arrive with delays. For example, a fine issued by EDS may be recorded in the system but reach the company a few weeks later. This causes a delayed notification to the renter. To receive fine notifications in a timely manner in Istanbul, renters should pay attention to the following:
Provide accurate contact information in the contract
Regularly check fines via the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal
Pay attention to information messages from the company
These steps ensure that fines are paid without delay and eliminate the risk of additional interest or fees.
One of the most frequently asked questions by those using rental cars in Istanbul is, “Does insurance cover traffic fines?” The answer is clear: No. No insurance policy pays for traffic fines resulting from the driver’s actions. Mandatory traffic insurance or comprehensive insurance only covers accidents and vehicle damage; it does not cover fines arising from the driver’s violations.
For example, a renter who receives an EDS fine for speeding in Istanbul cannot have this paid by insurance. Similarly, a renter whose vehicle is towed due to a parking ban must pay the towing and parking fees out of pocket. Therefore, when renting a car in Istanbul, it is very important to understand the scope of insurance correctly and to know that fines are entirely the renter’s personal responsibility.
Those who rent vehicles in Istanbul have the right to object to traffic fines they consider unjust. The objection process is generally carried out through the Magistrates’ Court (Sulh Ceza Hakimliği). It is also possible to file an objection via the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal.
Points to consider during the objection process:
The objection period is 15 days from the date the fine is served.
If the objection is accepted, the amount paid is refunded to the renter.
If the objection is rejected, additional costs may arise in addition to the fine.
Therefore, when renting a car in Istanbul, it is very important to carefully review fines and act quickly in situations you believe are unjust. When the right documents and solid justifications are presented, the likelihood of the fine being canceled is high.
