Strict New Regulations Impose Heavy Fines on Electric Scooter Firms

Ender Öztürk

October 13, 2026

A new amendment to the Electric Scooter Regulation, recently published in the Official Gazette, has introduced significant legal consequences for shared electric scooter operators in Turkey. The updated policy targets major service providers like BinBin and Martı, aiming to regulate urban micromobility and improve pedestrian safety. Under these strict new rules, companies that violate fleet size quotas or service standards face severe administrative penalties, including fines reaching 170,000 TL per vehicle and potential suspension of operations for up to six months. While individual users remain exempt, the regulation mandates that fleet operators adhere to rigorous compliance requirements to maintain their authorization.

Fleet Quotas are Strictly Regulated

The updated regulation establishes clear boundaries for the number of vehicles allowed in any given district to prevent urban congestion. Operators are required to maintain a fleet size that fluctuates no more than 30% from their assigned quota, though a temporary flexibility allowance is granted during the winter months between November and February, where the lower limit is reduced to 40%. The government has implemented a tiered penalty system for those who fail to adhere to these density limits.

For a first-time offense, companies are fined 8,687 TL, which increases to 86,900 TL for a second violation. A third violation triggers a maximum penalty of 170,000 TL and a mandatory six-month suspension of the company’s operating license. Authorities have clarified that these fines are calculated per vehicle, meaning multiple infractions across a fleet can lead to compounding financial liabilities for the operator.

Customer Support Standards are Now Mandatory

To enhance service reliability, the regulation mandates that operators must provide a 24/7 customer service center or a functional equivalent through their mobile application. Failure to establish this infrastructure or to resolve user complaints effectively will result in an administrative fine of 43,447 TL. This move is designed to protect consumer rights and ensure that issues such as malfunctions or billing disputes are addressed promptly by the service providers.

Transparency Requirements are Being Enforced

The regulation also demands high levels of transparency from companies operating within the sector. Firms must now display real-time information on their websites and mobile apps, including current pricing, vehicle locations, battery levels, and estimated range. Furthermore, companies are required to clearly delineate no-ride zones and restricted parking areas on their digital maps. Operating without proper authorization or outside of designated zones carries an immediate penalty of 86,900 TL, reinforcing the government’s stance on illegal micro-mobility services.

Safety and Data Integration Rules are Updated

Beyond fleet management, the regulation focuses heavily on physical safety and digital oversight. Operators are responsible for ensuring that all scooters are equipped with functional lights and reflectors, and that riders adhere to local speed limits. Additionally, companies must collect and transmit user and location data to the U-Net system without delay. Any failure to meet these safety standards or to report data accurately will result in an 8,687 TL fine per incident, ensuring that local authorities can monitor fleet activity through digital reports.

How do you think these new, stricter regulations will affect your daily commute and the overall quality of electric scooter services in your city? We would love to hear your thoughts on whether these fines are sufficient to ensure pedestrian safety; please share your perspective in the comments section below.