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Drink-driving in Turkey 2026: the alcohol limit and the penalties
Updated 28 September 2026 · 7 min read
Law No. 7574, which came into force on 27 February 2026, made the penalties for drink-driving in Turkey much heavier. Even for a first offence there is a 25,000 TL fine and your licence is taken away for 6 months. Below you will find the alcohol limits, the penalties step by step and how this topic appears in the written exam.
What is the alcohol limit?
In Turkey the blood alcohol level is measured in "promil" (per mille, meaning parts per thousand). The limit depends on the type of vehicle you drive:
| Driver | Alcohol limit |
|---|---|
| Drivers of private vehicles (hususi araç) | 0.50 promil |
| Drivers of commercial and official vehicles, and vehicles carrying passengers or goods | 0.20 promil |
Promil shows how much alcohol is in your blood. The same drink does not raise everyone's level by the same amount. Body weight, sex, whether you have eaten and how much time has passed all make a difference. That is why thinking "one glass won't hurt" is not reliable. The safest rule is simple: if you have been drinking, do not drive.
2026 drink-driving penalties
The penalties increase with the number of offences in the last 5 years:
| Offence | Fine | Licence taken away for |
|---|---|---|
| 1st time | 25,000 TL | 6 months |
| 2nd time | 50,000 TL | 2 years |
| 3rd time and after | 150,000 TL | 5 years |
If you pay the fine within 15 days of being notified (tebliğ), you get a 25 percent discount. Each offence is also recorded on your driving record as penalty points (ceza puanı).
Licence seizure is called "ehliyete el koyma" in Turkish. For other traffic fines, see our guide to traffic fines in Turkey.
Refusing the alcohol test
Refusing an alcohol test does not help you avoid a penalty. In fact, it brings the heaviest one: a 150,000 TL fine and your licence taken away for 5 years. This applies even if your alcohol level was below the limit.
Over 1.00 promil: criminal case
If a driver has more than 1.00 promil of alcohol in the blood, the administrative fine is not the only consequence. A criminal case is also opened for the offence of "endangering traffic safety" (trafik güvenliğini tehlikeye sokma) under Article 179 of the Turkish Penal Code (Türk Ceza Kanunu, TCK). Being involved in an accident while over the limit also creates criminal liability.
Getting your licence back
When the seizure period ends, your licence is returned. However, there are extra conditions for longer periods:
- 2-year seizure: you must attend a driver behaviour improvement training course (sürücü davranışlarını geliştirme eğitimi).
- 5-year seizure: you must go through a psychotechnical assessment (psikoteknik değerlendirme) and a psychiatric examination.
The licence is not returned until these conditions are met.
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What foreign drivers should know
- Do not rely on the rules from home. The limit in your home country may be different. In Turkey the limits are 0.50 promil for private vehicles and 0.20 promil for commercial drivers.
- Be careful at work. If your job involves driving a commercial vehicle or carrying passengers or goods, the lower 0.20 limit applies.
- Visiting Turkey? Our guide to driving in Turkey as a tourist covers other rules worth knowing, and speed limits in Turkey is useful too.
How it comes up in the driving licence exam
Alcohol questions appear in both the Traffic and Environment subject and the Traffic Etiquette (Trafik Adabı) subject. The most common points are:
- the limit for private vehicles is 0.50 promil,
- alcohol makes your reaction time longer,
- alcohol narrows your field of vision,
- alcohol makes it harder to judge distances.
Watch out for negative questions such as "which of the following is not an effect of alcohol on the driver?". Read every option before you answer. You can practise questions like these in our free practice test.
FAQ
What is the drink-driving limit in Turkey in 2026?
0.50 promil for drivers of private vehicles, and 0.20 promil for drivers of commercial and official vehicles and vehicles carrying passengers or goods.
What is the penalty for drink-driving in Turkey?
First offence: 25,000 TL fine and licence taken away for 6 months. Second: 50,000 TL and 2 years. Third and later: 150,000 TL and 5 years. Offences are counted over the last 5 years.
What happens if I refuse the alcohol test?
You get a 150,000 TL fine and your licence is taken away for 5 years, even if your alcohol level was below the limit.
At what level is a criminal case opened?
Drivers with more than 1.00 promil face a criminal case under Article 179 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), in addition to the fine.
Is there a discount if I pay the fine early?
Yes. If you pay within 15 days of being notified, you get a 25 percent discount.
Sources: Drink-driving penalty 2026 (Tahancı Law Office) (Turkish) · 2026 traffic fines (Türkiye Gazetesi) (Turkish). Fees and rules can change; confirm with official sources or your driving school.