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Türkiye's mandatory winter tire requirement will now begin Nov. 15 and continue until April 15 of the following year, according to a regulation published on Saturday in the Official Gazette.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure prepared the "Communique on Amendments to the Communique on Procedures and Principles Regarding the Obligation to Use Winter Tires," which was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force.
According to the regulation, winter tires will now be mandatory for vehicles used for passenger and freight transportation on intercity highways during the five months between Nov. 15 and April 15 of the following year.
The requirement previously applied between Dec. 1 and April 1 of the following year.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu also announced they updated the mandatory winter tire period to Nov. 15-April 15, stating, "Thus, we increased the mandatory winter tire application period from four months to five months. The application will be mandatory for all passenger and freight vehicles on intercity roads."
Uraloglu made the statement in a written announcement regarding the communiqué published in the Official Gazette.
Noting that winter tires increase road grip at temperatures below seven degrees, Uraloglu said, "We updated the winter tire requirement, which started on Dec. 1 and ended on April 1, to Nov. 15-April 15 due to seasonal conditions."
"We increased the mandatory winter tire application period from four months to five months. The application will be mandatory for all passenger and freight vehicles on intercity roads. We also recommend that private vehicle owners install winter tires," he added.
Uraloglu noted that winter tire application within provincial borders is determined by governorships, stating that governorships can extend the application by one month before and after the specified date range.
Emphasizing that it is of great importance for drivers to follow announcements, Uraloglu said a fine of ₺5,856 ($140,47) will be applied to those who do not comply with the rules.
Uraloglu reminded that all tires on the axles of trucks, tractors, tankers, and bus-type vehicles, as well as all tires on pickup trucks, minibuses, and cars, and tires to be installed in place of those that must be changed during travel, must be winter tires.
"Studded tires that can only be used on icy surfaces also count as winter tires. Having or using tire chains in the vehicle does not eliminate the winter tire requirement, but we should still ensure that our vehicles have necessary equipment such as chains, wedges and towing ropes," the minister concluded.
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