Short answer: in Türkiye the winter tire requirement starts on 15 November every year and runs until 15 April. It applies to commercial vehicles carrying passengers and goods on intercity highways; the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure recommends winter tires to private car owners rather than making them mandatory. Provincial governorates may extend the period by one month before and after within their borders. If you plan to take a rental car onto a mountain road, to a ski resort or into Central Anatolia in winter, ask our customer service about the car's tires and your snow chain needs before you book. This guide brings together the official rule, what to check on a rental car and how to drive safely on snow.
Sources: the Communiqué on the Procedures and Principles of the Winter Tire Requirement (article 5 amended in Official Gazette No. 33037 of 4 October 2025), the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announcement and the General Directorate of Security's 2026 Traffic Administrative Fines Guide. Article numbers on renting refer to the SAW Rent A Car rental conditions.
For many years the winter tire rule ran for four months, from 1 December to 1 April. The amendment published on 4 October 2025 widened the period at both ends: the requirement now starts on 15 November, ends on 15 April of the following year and lasts five months in total. That is why the date for the 2026–2027 winter is also 15 November; ignore older articles online that still say 1 December.
The rule applies to vehicles carrying passengers and goods on intercity highways. Trucks, tractor units, tankers and buses must have winter tires on all tires of the driven axles; vans, minibuses and cars must have winter tires on all tires. A tire replaced during the journey must also be a winter tire. Depending on the province's temperatures, governorates may extend the period by one month before and after the dates set by the Ministry; in provinces with harsh winters, check the local announcement.
| Topic | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Period | 15 November – 15 April (five months) | Communiqué art. 5 (Official Gazette 4 October 2025, No. 33037) |
| Who must comply | Commercial vehicles carrying passengers and goods between cities | Communiqué art. 5 · Ministry announcement |
| Private cars | Not mandatory nationwide, recommended | Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announcement |
| Governorate powers | May extend the period by one month before and after | Communiqué art. 5 |
| Tread depth | At least 1.6 mm on cars and minibuses; at least 4 mm on trucks and buses | Communiqué art. 6 |
| Fine (2026) | 6,000 TL, 4,500 TL with the 25% discount (to the operator) | 2026 fines guide, KTK art. 65/A |
A rental car is a passenger car, while the communiqué targets commercial passenger and goods transport. The Ministry clearly states that it recommends winter tires to private car owners. In short, there is no written nationwide requirement for a driver taking a rental car on holiday; but when the road is covered in snow or icy, setting off on summer tires is both dangerous and a choice that can cause problems at a roadside check.
The tire type on a rental car can vary by model and by the point where the car is handed over. So if you have a mountain route in the winter months, ask our customer service (WhatsApp/phone 0850 304 94 30) about the car's tires and your snow chain needs before you book, and check the tires with your own eyes when you collect the car.
The communiqué defines a winter tire as one whose compound and tread are specially designed to improve grip at temperatures below 7 °C. Look for a winter marking such as M+S on the sidewall and check the tread depth. Tread depth is measured in the grooves closest to the centre of the tread; the legal minimum on a car is 1.6 mm, but a tire close to that limit will not give safe grip on snow.
Snow chains do not replace winter tires; under the communiqué, carrying or using chains does not remove the winter tire requirement. The duty to carry and use chains in snowy and icy weather (KTK art. 65/A) is written for trucks, tractor units and buses. On a car, chains are a lifesaver in heavy snowfall, on icy slopes and on roads up to ski resorts.
On a rental car, snow chains are requested as an extra and written on the vehicle handover form. Under article 6.7 of the rental conditions, the renter is responsible for looking after extras listed on the handover form such as snow chains, navigation and baby seats, and these extras are not covered by the damage repair and theft covers. Contact our customer service before booking for availability and price; for the list of extras see our guide to extra equipment in car rental.
In winter, choosing a car is more about grip than about the boot. In the city and on coastal roads an economy hatchback or sedan is enough. If you carry ski gear, travel as a large family or face a long mountain road, an SUV with a large boot and more ground clearance is more comfortable. Modern cars have systems such as ABS and electronic stability control (ESP); which equipment a car has depends on the model and is shown on the car card or explained at handover.
A few minutes of preparation before you set off prevents hours of waiting on a snowy road. Check the weather forecast and the road condition announcements of the General Directorate of Highways; snowfall, icing and dense fog can change driving conditions in an instant. The weather is changeable, so get the latest information just before you leave.
| Check | What to look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | Winter marking, tread depth, air pressure | All grip on snow and ice comes from the tires |
| Washer fluid and wipers | Antifreeze washer fluid, wiper blades | Salty slush and mud cover the windscreen fast |
| Lights | Dipped and main beam, fog lights, brake lights | Being visible in snow and fog prevents collisions |
| Safety equipment | First aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher | Report anything missing at handover |
| Personal winter bag | Blanket, water, torch, gloves, phone charging cable | To keep warm and stay in touch while waiting |
| Route | Passes, roads to ski resorts, alternative routes | Turning back on a closed road costs time |
When you collect the car, go through the equipment on the handover form item by item; article 4.3 of the rental conditions states that the car is handed over with the handover form. If you notice missing or damaged equipment, tell the staff before you drive off.
Normal driving habits are not enough in winter. On a slippery surface, sudden acceleration, sudden braking and sharp steering make the car slide. Driving slowly and carefully is the most effective step you can take for your safety on snowy roads; the speed limit is only an upper limit, so adjust your speed to the real condition of the road.
Most winter holidays start at an airport. If you are heading from Istanbul towards Kartepe, Abant or Uludağ, you can book your car through our Sabiha Gokcen Airport car rental and Istanbul Airport car rental pages. For Uludağ, car rental at Bursa Airport, and for Central Anatolia routes, Esenboğa Airport car rental shorten the drive. For ski and winter route ideas, see our winter holiday guide with SAW Rent A Car.
Flight delays are more frequent in winter. Add your flight details to the booking and let our customer service know if you are delayed. If you do not have a credit card, our car rental without a credit card page explains how to proceed through customer service.
Under article 4.9 of the rental conditions, tire and rim damage and faults caused by misuse are the renter's responsibility. The extra cover option that includes tire, glass and headlight damage is described in article 6.2; ask our customer service about its scope and terms before you rent. Extras such as snow chains are outside this cover (art. 6.7).
Renting a car in winter is a whole made up of choosing the car, tires and equipment, the weather, driving technique and maintenance checks. The SAW Rent A Car team services its cars regularly and answers the questions of drivers heading out on winter trips before handover. The right preparation makes a winter journey both safe and enjoyable.
It starts on 15 November every year and runs until 15 April of the following year. The old 1 December – 1 April calendar was extended to five months by the amendment in the Official Gazette of 4 October 2025. Governorates may extend the period by one month before and after.
The requirement is for commercial vehicles carrying passengers and goods between cities. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure recommends winter tires to private car owners. If you will take a rental car on a snowy route, ask about the car's tires before you book.
According to the 2026 guide of the General Directorate of Security, the administrative fine for not using winter tires in the mandatory period (KTK art. 65/A) is 6,000 TL for the operator; paid within the legal period it becomes 4,500 TL with the 25% discount.
The tire type can vary by the car's model and the handover point. For certain information, contact our customer service (WhatsApp/phone 0850 304 94 30) before booking and check the tires when you collect the car.
Snow chains are requested as an extra and written on the vehicle handover form. Under article 6.7 of the rental conditions, looking after the chains is the renter's responsibility and they are not covered by the damage cover. Ask our customer service about availability and price.
Under the communiqué it must be at least 1.6 mm on cars, vans and minibuses and at least 4 mm on trucks, tractor units, tankers and buses. On a snowy road, a tire close to the minimum does not give enough grip.
No. Under the communiqué, carrying or using snow chains does not remove the winter tire requirement. Chains are an extra precaution in heavy snow and on icy slopes.
