Turkey introduces new licensing rules for vehicle rental firms

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has drafted a new regulation that will require all vehicle‑rental operators to obtain an authorisation certificate and meet professional‑qualification standards. The measure aims to curb the large informal “underground” segment, raise service standards and create a systematic inspection regime.

The sector, represented by the Tüm Oto Kiralama ve Mobilite Kuruluşları Derneği (TOKKDER), maintains a fleet of about 406,000 vehicles and added more than 96,500 new cars in the first half of 2026. Tax contributions reached 90 billion lira and daily‑rental contracts hit 2.2 million. TOKKDER President Özarslan A. Tangün welcomed the draft, noting that it will strengthen consumer confidence while urging that the rules remain practicable for firms.

Implementation details such as the timing for existing operators to obtain licences and how the professional‑qualification criteria will be applied are still under discussion, but the regulation is expected to reshape the Turkish mobility ecosystem and reduce unregistered operators, especially in tourist areas.