In Turkey, heavy vehicles such as semi-trucks and trucks cannot continue their journey during the hours when the ban is indicated. These hours are generally set to regulate urban traffic and reduce bottlenecks that may occur on the roads.

However, these restrictions in question can also have some negative effects on drivers. Therefore, drivers, especially those who are professional in transport business, should pay attention to these prohibited hours and act in a more planned manner. In this article, we will share detailed information for semi-trucks and trucks regarding road restriction hours, penalties, and their use.

What is the Road Ban for Semi-Trucks and Trucks?

The road ban for semi-trucks and trucks in Turkey is a restriction applied at certain hours and regions to prevent traffic problems that may occur due to the density of large vehicles.

The purpose of this ban is to relieve traffic flow, especially when congestion increases, to ensure that vehicles travel faster and more safely, and to prevent accidents. Keep reading to find out the restricted road hours applied for semi-trucks and trucks in Turkey!

What are the Road Ban Hours for Semi-Trucks?

The entry and exit hours of semi-trucks in the city vary according to traffic density. Road transport companies can travel in traffic at hours determined by the transport coordination center of the city they are located in. In Istanbul, with the regulations made by the Transport Coordination Center, the entry hours of semi-trucks into the city have been shifted outside the hours of 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-22:00. However, it should not be forgotten that this may vary depending on the type of load carried.

Semi-trucks carrying dangerous goods are subject to stricter restrictions. These semi-trucks can only enter the city between 02:00 and 06:00 at night. While only the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge can be used during crossings between the European and Anatolian Sides, the use of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and 15 July Martyrs Bridge is prohibited for semi-trucks carrying dangerous goods.

At What Time Do the Traffic Ban Hours for Trucks Begin?

Heavy-duty trucks are among the vehicles that affect city traffic quite negatively. For this reason, the entry and exit hours of trucks into the city have been reorganized with the regulations made by the Istanbul Transport Coordination Center. Thanks to this regulation, by determining the traffic entry hours for trucks, it is attempted to regulate the flow of urban traffic.

The road ban hours for trucks are applied between 06:00 and 10:00 in the morning and between 16:00 and 22:00 in the evening. This ban is also limited to the hours of 10:00 and 16:00 for trucks carrying urban and intercity goods. Thanks to these practices, the impact of heavy-duty vehicles on traffic is tried to be minimized.

What is the Penalty for Not Complying with Road Ban Hours for Semi-Trucks and Trucks?

Semi-trucks and trucks must pay attention to city entry and exit hours. If entry into the city is made outside the designated hours, an administrative fine is applied in accordance with Article 49/3 of the Traffic Law.

These fines are quite high. If entry into the city is made outside the designated hours, vehicle drivers are fined 62 TL. While this fine is applied directly to the driver, the vehicle owner faces an administrative fine of 130 TL.

Vehicles belonging to firms or companies receive higher fines. If the semi-trucks or trucks of a firm or company enter the city outside the designated hours, an administrative fine of 270 TL is applied to the vehicle owner company.

The time intervals set for semi-trucks and trucks are generally applicable to vehicles that do not transport dangerous goods. However, semi-trucks and trucks carrying dangerous goods can only enter the city between 02:00 and 06:00 at night. For entries they make outside these hours, they may face heavier penalties.

Not complying with the road ban hours set for semi-trucks and trucks brings a heavy financial burden to both drivers and vehicle owners. Therefore, it is extremely important for semi-trucks and trucks to comply with the road ban hours and avoid entry outside the designated hours.

In Which Situations are Semi-Trucks and Trucks Exempt from the Road Ban?

In Turkey, semi-trucks and trucks are banned from entering city roads at specific hours. However, they may be exempt from these bans in certain situations.

Nevertheless, in accordance with Article 49/2 of the Traffic Law, semi-trucks and trucks can enter the city even during prohibited hours in emergency situations. In this case, to prove that the vehicle is in an emergency situation, the driver must present the vehicle's documents and other emergency-related documents to the authorities.

In addition, semi-trucks and trucks can benefit from certain exemptions depending on the type and specifications of their cargo. For instance, according to Article 49/1 of the Traffic Law, vehicles carrying dangerous goods may be exempt from the road ban. However, specific restrictions and rules apply to these vehicles.

In accordance with Article 50/1 of the Traffic Law, vehicles engaged in international transport may be exempt from the road ban. However, certain conditions and rules also apply to these vehicles.

Lastly, in Article 49/4 of the Traffic Law, semi-trucks and trucks must comply with certain rules regarding cargo carrying time, rest period, and driving duration. Drivers who do not comply with these rules may face criminal sanctions.

Can Semi-Trucks Enter the City?

The entry of semi-trucks into the city in Turkey is a highly controversial issue. Because of problems such as traffic congestion, pollution, and noise caused by semi-trucks in the city, semi-truck entry to the city has been banned in many cities.

In Turkey, regulations regarding the entry and exit of semi-trucks into the city are determined in accordance with Article 49/3 of the Traffic Law. Accordingly, the hours and roads on which semi-trucks can enter the city are determined by regulations, and fines are applied to semi-trucks that do not comply with these rules.

Particularly in big cities, the entry of semi-trucks is strictly monitored and they are only allowed to enter the city via certain roads at specific hours.

How is Transportation Carried Out During Road Ban Hours for Semi-Trucks and Trucks?

Semi-truck and truck drivers who will transport during road ban hours can complete their travel by setting off before the hours the ban begins. However, there are a few specific ways for drivers who have to set off during ban hours.

Firstly, special permits can be granted for the semi-trucks of companies operating in a specific sector. For example, distribution semi-trucks of supermarkets and trucks carrying fuel can also set off during the hours of the ban.

Another option is for the semi-trucks that will carry out transport during ban hours to use alternative roads by changing their routes. With this method, travel can be made by staying away from the main roads where the ban is active.

Why are Road Ban Hours Applied for Semi-Trucks and Trucks?

In Turkey, road ban hours for semi-trucks and trucks are implemented to regulate urban traffic, reduce traffic congestion, and prevent air pollution. Especially in metropolitan cities, the density of trucks and semi-trucks negatively affects traffic flow and causes pollution.

Since semi-trucks and trucks are heavy-tonnage and wide vehicles, they can frequently cause traffic accidents due to the narrow city roads and the difficulty in maneuvering. In addition, the noise and emissions caused by these vehicles also pose a problem for the environment and human health.

Which Vehicles Cannot Enter the City?

In order to regulate city traffic and reduce pollution in Turkey, the entry of vehicles with specific characteristics into city centers is restricted. These vehicles are generally non-environmentally friendly, high-emission, or cause excessive noise.

Which vehicles cannot enter the city is determined by the relevant local governments and indicated with traffic signs or other methods. Therefore, the vehicle ban determined by each city may vary.

However, in general, the vehicles that cannot enter the city in Turkey are as follows:

• Vehicles that do not comply with emission standards: Vehicles emitting gases harmful to the environment cannot enter city centers. Especially old model vehicles fall within the scope of the ban because they do not comply with emission standards.

• Trucks and semi-trucks: Due to the congestion and noise pollution created by trucks and semi-trucks in urban traffic, the entries of these vehicles are restricted or completely banned during certain hours in some cities.

• Heavy tonnage vehicles: Overly heavy or wide vehicles have difficulty maneuvering in the narrow streets of the city and cause traffic congestion. For this reason, the entry of vehicles exceeding certain tonnage and size limits into city centers is restricted.

• Some commercial vehicles: Particularly commercial vehicles operating in certain sectors are banned in some cities. For example, vehicles transporting food cannot enter city centers between designated hours in some cities.

• Some private vehicles: In some cities, special purpose vehicles or vehicles making high noise during night hours are restricted from entering city centers.

To obtain detailed information about which vehicles cannot enter the city, you can look at the websites of the relevant local governments or the traffic signs.

At What Time Can Semi-Trucks Go on the Road?

Semi-trucks can go on the road between 11:00 AM and 03:59 PM and between 11:00 PM and 05:59 AM. Penalties are applied to semi-trucks and trucks that go on the road outside these hours.

When Does the Ankara City Center Ban Start?

The Ankara road ban for trucks and semi-trucks is applied between 06:00 and 10:00 in the morning and between 16:00 and 22:00 in the evening.