Turkey extends mandatory winter tire period to five months

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has updated regulations regarding mandatory winter tire usage. The mandatory period has been extended from four months to five months to account for seasonal weather conditions.

For the upcoming seasons, the mandatory application is scheduled to run from November 15 to April 15. This change replaces the previous window of December 1 to April 1. While the regulation primarily targets commercial vehicles used for passenger and freight transport on intercity roads, drivers are advised to monitor local decisions made by provincial governorships due to varying regional weather.

Technical distinctions between tire types remain critical for safety. Winter tires utilize specialized rubber compounds to maintain flexibility in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius and feature specific tread patterns for traction on snow and ice. In contrast, all-season tires are designed for balanced performance across varying conditions but may not match the braking and grip capabilities of dedicated winter tires in heavy snow or icy conditions.