You've returned the car, the holiday was great — then a few weeks later you notice an unexpected charge on your credit card or receive a fine notification in the post. Traffic fines, toll violations, and speed camera penalties in rental cars are among the most commonly misunderstood aspects of car hire. This guide explains exactly how it all works in Turkey.
In Turkey, traffic fines are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle — which means the rental company. However, the rental company has the contractual right to pass the fine on to the driver. Here's how it typically works in practice.
Speed camera, red light, and similar violations are first sent to the rental company's registered address. The company then contacts the renter to recover the amount. Many companies also charge an administrative processing fee on top of the original fine.
In Turkey, motorways and bridges use an electronic tolling system called HGS. If the HGS tag in the rental vehicle has insufficient credit, the system logs a violation, which is charged to the rental company. The company then passes the outstanding amount on to the renter, sometimes with an additional handling fee.
Some rental companies do not equip their vehicles with HGS tags. In this case, you will need to arrange your own HGS or avoid toll roads altogether. RepeatCar vehicles are fitted with HGS tags. We recommend checking the balance at pickup.
Yes, parking violations are also passed on to the renter. Whether it's an expired meter, illegal parking, or blocking a disabled bay, the fine arrives at the rental company first and is then charged to the driver. Since parking violations are typically documented by camera or warden report, your chances of disputing them are limited — so always check local parking rules.
These situations fall outside the scope of insurance cover. The renter assumes full legal and financial responsibility. Allowing an unlicensed driver to use the vehicle, exceeding the alcohol limit, or having an unnamed driver behind the wheel can lead to serious legal consequences.
At RepeatCar, any fines incurred during your rental period are communicated to you clearly, in line with your contract. You will be informed of the type, date, and amount of the fine. Any administrative fee, if applicable, is stated in your contract before you sign. Our customer service team is available 24/7 in Turkish, English, German, and Russian if you have any questions or wish to dispute a charge.
Check the HGS balance at pickup, observe traffic rules, and read your contract carefully — these three steps will protect you from the vast majority of unexpected costs.
