Turkey's car rental regulation (2027): summary
This is a short English summary for information only, not legal advice. The Turkish text published in the Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete) of 15 August 2026, No. 33341 is authoritative. Article numbers refer to that text. Last updated: 29 October 2026.
Key dates
| Date | What happens | Article |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Aug 2026 | Published in the Official Gazette | — |
| 1 Jan 2027 | Enters into force; new rental businesses need an authorisation certificate (yetki belgesi) | 23, 5 |
| 1 Jul 2027 | Deadline for existing businesses to obtain the certificate | Provisional 1/1 |
| 1 Jan 2028 | Fleet size, vehicle age/km and EU 2019/2144 safety rules apply to existing businesses; platform duties start | Provisional 1/3, 1/4 |
The Ministry of Trade may extend the transitional periods by up to one year (provisional art. 1/6).
Scope
Out of scope (art. 2/2): long-term rentals (30 days or more), short-term rentals to renters who are not consumers, shared rentals and camper rentals. A short-term rental is up to 29 days (art. 4).
Authorisation certificate
- Commercial car rental requires a certificate issued by the provincial trade directorate through the ministry's information system; it is not transferable (art. 5).
- Conditions include tax and chamber registration with car rental as an activity, a dedicated workplace, and a rental manager holding the MYK “motor vehicle rental consultant (Level 4)” vocational qualification certificate (art. 6/1). Existing businesses are not exempt from the qualification certificate (provisional art. 1/2).
- If the conditions are met, the certificate is issued within 10 days of application (art. 7/3). Each branch needs its own minimum fleet (art. 6/2).
Fleet and vehicles
- Districts with more than 30,000 residents in metropolitan provinces: at least 10 vehicles, at least 5 registered to the business, at least 2 hybrid or fully electric, one of them made in Türkiye. Elsewhere: at least 5 vehicles, at least 2 registered to the business (art. 6/1-e-2).
- Vehicles may not be older than 6 years by model year (classic cars excepted) and may not exceed 180,000 km, or 300,000 km for electric vehicles (art. 6/1-e-3).
- Vehicles must have no heavy-damage record, a valid inspection and compulsory traffic insurance (art. 6/1-e-4). A vehicle whose periodic maintenance is overdue may not be rented until it is done (art. 15/3).
Bookings, deposits and damage
- Deposit cap: 3 days' rent for rentals of up to 6 days; 7 days' rent for 7–29 days or weekly rentals (art. 14/1). Cheques, promissory notes, letters of guarantee and surety bonds may not be taken (art. 14/3). Refund within 7 days after return (art. 14/4).
- Prepaid bookings: no cancellation fee, except a fee of up to one day's rent for cancellations within 24 hours before pick-up if stated on the booking form (art. 11/7). No-show: the car is held for at least 12 hours (1–6 day rentals) or 1 day (7+ days); the deduction is capped at 1 day's or 3 days' rent (art. 11/8–9).
- Delivery and return documents are mandatory (art. 12). Damage charges require an independent expert report; no charge for damage not recorded on the return document (art. 16/5–6).
- Rental records must be kept for 5 years (art. 21).
Full guide in Turkish with every article: Araç Kiralama Yönetmeliği 2027 rehberi.
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