Trucks banned from the fast lanes on Turkish motorways: what the rule says

You've probably seen the sign at toll plaza exits: "Ağır vasıtalar sağdan gidiniz", or "Heavy vehicles keep right". It looks like a friendly suggestion. It isn't, and it has nothing to do with speed.

The sign is about which lane trucks and lorries are allowed to drive in. Plenty of drivers don't know the details.

What does the rule say?

Lane use is set out in Article 46 of the Karayolları Trafik Kanunu (Turkey's Highway Traffic Law). On 27 February 2026, Law No. 7574 was published in the Official Gazette and added new provisions to that article.

The rules apply to every vehicle except motorcycles, cars, pickups, panel vans, minibuses and buses. In practice, that means trucks and other heavy vehicles.

On two-lane roads, these vehicles must not use the left lane, except to overtake or turn. On roads with more than two lanes, they must not use the second lane from the right, except to overtake. They also can't enter any lane beyond the two right-most ones, except to turn left.

Trucks are slower, too

Speed limits differ by vehicle type. According to the table from the Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğü (Turkey's General Directorate of Highways), the maximum on motorways is 90 km/h for trucks and tractor units.

Buses can go up to 100 km/h. Cars can reach 130 or 140 km/h, depending on the motorway's operating model.

What should car drivers do?

The rules aren't only for truck drivers. Big vehicles have blind spots, so the driver may not see a car alongside.

Cutting in suddenly in front of a truck, tailgating, and not leaving enough space while overtaking all raise the risk of a crash.

So keep a safe following distance, and don't squeeze back into the lane right in front of a lorry's bumper.

So, what's the takeaway?

Trucks keep to the right-hand lanes, move left only to overtake or turn, and cars should give them room.