Don’t ‘brake’ Turkish traffic and customs laws by lending your car Published Aug. 9, 2007 By Capt. Shane McCammon 39th Air Base Wing Assistant Staff Judge Advocate INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Anyone who has ventured beyond the front gate knows that driving in Turkey can be an adventure. Between dodging overloaded trucks and braking for mopeds carrying entire families, it can be tough to master the streets and highways of our host nation. Seemingly just as difficult to navigate is Turkey's various laws regulating the importation and operation of vehicles. Unlike in the United States, Turkish authorities impose heavy taxes upon the purchase of a new or used vehicle. These taxes are also levied on non-U.S. employees who import vehicles into Turkey. Thanks to the various diplomatic agreements between the United States. and Turkey, however, the heavy taxes that ordinarily would apply to American service members are waived - provided that the vehicles are used only by the individual military member and his or her dependents. Allowing others to borrow your car - even on base - not only violates Turkish law and the diplomatic agreements between the two countries, but it carries serious consequences for the owner of the vehicle. Should you allow anyone besides your spouse and children to operate your vehicle, and that person is either stopped by Turkish traffic police or involved in an accident, your car will be impounded and you will be fined. The legal office recently worked with an individual who violated this law and now owes Turkish customs officials more than $17,000 - for a car he purchased several years ago for approximately $10,000. In addition to the significant financial consequences, he nearly lost his follow-on assignment as a result of the delay caused when he attempted to clear customs. His actions could have a lasting impact on how Turkish authorities monitor Beyanname clearance and out-processing. While there is certainly a greater risk associated with allowing a non-dependent to drive your car off base, it is still against Turkish law to permit others to drive your vehicle on base. Should Turkish authorities discover that you loaned your car to someone else - even to another American military member - they may impound your vehicle and fine you, just as they would off base. Bottom line: allowing a non-dependent to drive your car is against the law and could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines. In addition to complying with the above customs laws and regulations, keep in mind the following rules of the road: · Ensure your black vehicle registration booklet (with inspection stamp) and Turkish liability insurance are current and stored in your glove compartment. If you do not have proper paperwork, your car may be impounded and you may be fined as much as $2,000 (plus towing costs). · Because not all Turkish traffic police will understand stateside drivers' licenses, it is imperative that active duty members and Department of Defense civilian employees get their stateside licenses translated into Turkish (accomplished through a completed U.S. Air Forces in Europe IMT 181). Dependents must have a certified Turkish translation of their U.S. license or an international driver's license. · Turkey's laws prohibiting drunk driving are stricter than in the U.S. For example, Turkey's legal limit is .063 percent, which is significantly lower than the .08 percent blood-alcohol level applicable in most states. As a result, it is critical that Team Incirlik use designated drivers or taxis rather than get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. · If you are involved in an accident, contact the Law Enforcement Desk immediately at 322-316-3200. The on-call interpreter will assist you in following the proper procedures for reporting the accident to Turkish traffic authorities. You may not be able to avoid an accident in Turkey, no matter how safely you drive or how quickly you can swerve out of the way of highway-crossing sheep. But by following the above rules and regulations, you will avoid having your car impounded and having to pay any unnecessary fines. Contact the legal office at 676-6800 for questions and additional information.