İstanbul’da trafik cezaları, teknik olarak aracın plakasına yazılır. Bu nedenle ceza önce araç sahibine yani kiralama şirketine ulaşır. Ancak, kiralama şirketi bu cezayı işleme alırken kiracıya bildirir ve ilgili ödemeyi kiracıdan talep eder.
Kısaca özetlemek gerekirse:
Araç plakasına kesilen ceza → Önce şirkete ulaşır.Bu noktada, kiracı cezanın kendisine ait olmadığını iddia ederse, İstanbul Trafik Denetleme Şube Müdürlüğü’ne veya e-Devlet üzerinden itiraz başvurusunda bulunabilir. Ancak genel olarak cezaların %95’i doğrudan kiracıya yansıtılır.
Istanbul is one of the cities where speed limits and parking rules are most frequently enforced. Exceeding the speed limit in the city center is easily detected by EDS cameras, even over short distances. Such speeding fines are charged directly to the renter.
Parking fines are one of the most common situations encountered by rental car users in Istanbul. Especially in busy areas such as Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy, if you park illegally, you will be fined and your car may be towed. In this case, the renter must:
One of the most commonly used monitoring systems in Istanbul is EDS. Violations such as speeding, running red lights, and violating the emergency lane are automatically detected by this system. For drivers using rental vehicles, these penalties are charged directly to the person renting the vehicle.
Additionally, bridge and highway crossings in Istanbul are made through the HGS/OGS systems. Most rental vehicles have an HGS tag, but usage is billed to the renter. If there is no balance on the HGS/OGS card, a crossing violation penalty is incurred. These types of penalties are also passed on to the renter.
Traffic fines in Istanbul are first notified to the vehicle owner, i.e., the rental company. The company enters the fine into the system and notifies the renter of the fine by contacting them using the information provided in the contract. Most companies include the right to automatically charge these fines to the credit card in the contract.
Although renters are usually required to pay the fine themselves, in some cases, penalty notifications may be delayed. This can result in the driver having to pay additional interest or fees. Major car rental companies in Istanbul have established a faster and more transparent system by managing these processes through digital platforms.
A person renting a vehicle in Istanbul has the right to appeal a fine if they believe it is unjust. The appeal process is usually conducted through the Magistrates' Courts. An appeal against the fine can also be submitted via the e-Government portal.
Important points for renters to know are as follows:
Traffic fines follow a different procedure for people who rent a car in Istanbul and want to travel abroad. Drivers traveling with a rental car to Bulgaria, Greece, or other European countries in particular should be aware that fines will be entered directly into the country's traffic system. These fines are usually issued to the vehicle's license plate and reported to the car rental company in Turkey through international information sharing. The company then passes this fine on to the renter.
Fines issued abroad are not limited to traffic violations. Toll road usage fees, environmental taxes, or irregularities in special toll road crossings also fall under the scope of penalties. It is crucial for those renting a car in Istanbul to review both the rental agreement and the traffic rules of the destination country before leaving for a different country. Otherwise, they may face high penalties upon returning from abroad.
Car rental companies in Istanbul have serious legal rights in case of non-payment of traffic fines. This is because the renter accepts that the fines are their responsibility when signing the contract. If the fine is not paid on time, the company pays the fine and passes this cost on to the renter with additional charges.
The methods rental companies can use in this situation are as follows:
In Istanbul, traffic fines related to rental vehicles are usually notified to the vehicle owner, i.e., the rental company. In this process, the company is responsible for notifying the tenant of the fine and requesting payment from them. Large car rental companies often make these notifications via email or SMS.
The renter must closely monitor this process because some traffic fines in Istanbul may arrive late. For example, a fine issued by EDS may be processed in the system but may not reach the company for several weeks. This causes the fine to be reported late. To receive penalty notifications on time in Istanbul, the renter should pay attention to the following points:
One of the most frequently asked questions by people who rent cars in Istanbul is, "Does insurance cover traffic fines?" The answer is clear: No. No insurance policy pays for traffic fines incurred by the driver. Compulsory traffic insurance or comprehensive insurance only covers accidents and vehicle damage; it does not cover fines resulting from the driver's misconduct.
For example, a renter who receives an EDS fine for speeding in Istanbul cannot cover this fine with insurance. Similarly, a renter whose vehicle is towed due to parking violations must pay the parking and towing fees out of their own pocket. Therefore, when renting a car in Istanbul, it is very important to understand the scope of the insurance and to know that fines are entirely the personal responsibility of the driver.
Individuals who rent vehicles in Istanbul have the right to appeal traffic fines they believe to be unjust. The appeal process is usually carried out through the Criminal Court of Peace. It is also possible to submit an appeal application through the e-Government portal.
Some points to consider when appealing a fine are as follows:
