AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 128 OF THE HIGHWAYS TRAFFIC LAW
1) Dimensions and Weights of Vehicles
Article 128 - The following are the dimensions and weights that vehicles to be driven on the highway must comply with, both loaded and unloaded, to ensure safe operation without damaging the highway structure:
Dimensions and Weights of Vehicles
a) Maximum width: 2.55 meters
For refrigerated vehicles, only the refrigerated structure width: 2.60 meters
b) Maximum height: 4.00 meters
c) Maximum lengths:
- For motor vehicles other than buses: 12.00 meters
- For two-axle buses: 13.50 meters
- For semi-trailer vehicles: 16.50 meters
- For trailer buses: 18.75 meters
- For trailers: 12.00 meters
- For buses with more than two axles: 15.00 meters
- For articulated (accordion) buses: 18.75 meters
- For vehicles with trailers: 18.75 meters
d) Maximum weights:
1) Single axle maximum weight:
- For non-driving single axle: 10 tons
- For driving single axle: 11.5 tons
2) Maximum weight of two-axle groups:
For motor vehicles:
- If the distance between the axles is less than 1 meter (1 m < d): 11.5 tons
- If the distance between the axles is between 1 meter and 1.3 meters (1 m ≤ d < 1.3 m): 16 tons
- If the distance between the axles is between 1.3 meters and 1.8 meters (1.3 m ≤ d < 1.8 m): 18 tons
- If the distance between the axles is between 1.3 meters and 1.8 meters (with conditions as per the Road Transport Regulations - RTR): 19 tons
For trailers and semi-trailers:
- If the distance between the axles is less than 1 meter (d < 1 m): 11 tons
- If the distance between the axles is between 1 meter and 1.3 meters (1 m ≤ d < 1.3 m): 16 tons
- If the distance between the axles is between 1.3 meters and 1.8 meters (1.3 m ≤ d < 1.8 m): 18 tons
- If the distance between the axles is greater than 1.8 meters (1.8 m ≤ d): 20 tons
Maximum weight of three-axle groups:
- If the distance between the axles is 1 meter or less (d ≤ 1.3 m): 21 tons
- If the distance between the axles is between 1.3 meters and 1.4 meters (1.3 m < d ≤ 1.4 m): 24 tons
3) Maximum total weights:
- For two-axle motor vehicles and trailers: 18 tons
- For three-axle motor vehicles: 25 tons
- For three-axle motor vehicles (under RTR conditions): 26 tons
- For three-axle semi-trailers and articulated buses: 28 tons
- For four-axle motor vehicles: 32 tons
- For four-axle semi-trailers: 36 tons
- For four-axle semi-trailers with a semi-trailer axle group weight of 20 tons: 38 tons
- For combinations with five or more axles: 40 tons
- For semi-trailer vehicles carrying ISO containers (3-S2/3): 44 tons
During fixed or mobile weight control on highways, a weighing tolerance of up to 5% of the vehicle's maximum loaded weight is allowed. However, during the transportation of unweighed minerals extracted from quarries within the quarry area, the non-packaged or unselected deposition of these minerals in stock areas, or during the serial transportation of agricultural products from the land where they are produced to storage areas, for short-distance transportation up to 1 kilometer on any type of highway, with a maximum vehicle speed of 60 km/h, vehicles are allowed to exceed their maximum loaded weight by up to 15%. The dimensions and weights mentioned above are applied regardless of the manufacturing date of the vehicles.
3) In determining the maximum weights, the original technical capacity values provided by the vehicle's manufacturer and factory are taken as the basis.
Except for the exceptions stated in this article, a roadworthiness certificate cannot be issued, and such vehicles cannot be registered if the vehicle has a capacity exceeding the maximum weight limits.
4) The axle capacities of tractor vehicles may exceed the maximum axle weights by up to 20% (inclusive). For vehicles such as tow trucks, mobile repair and maintenance vehicles, concrete mixers and pump vehicles, and similar special-purpose vehicles with specialized equipment, the axle capacities may exceed the maximum axle weights by up to 50% (inclusive). However, these vehicles cannot exceed the maximum axle weights and maximum loaded weight values when on the road. If any modifications are made after the registration of these vehicles that alter the characteristics causing the tolerance, this provision will no longer apply, and the previously issued roadworthiness certificate will become invalid. The registration will be canceled, and other applicable provisions will be enforced. This information will be recorded on the roadworthiness certificate.
e) Vehicles that comply with the dimensions and weights mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this article will be subject to normal registration procedures and can be operated on the highway, loaded or unloaded, if they also meet the other conditions specified in this Regulation and related regulations.
However, trolleybuses owned by municipalities may have a maximum width of 2.65 meters and can be subjected to normal registration procedures and operated on the highway within these limits, whether loaded or unloaded.
f) Vehicles specifically designed for agricultural use, road maintenance vehicles, tow trucks, and fire trucks may have a maximum width of 3.05 meters.
Vehicles with a width exceeding 2.55 meters cannot be issued a roadworthiness certificate and cannot be registered with traffic registration authorities. The registration of these vehicles will be carried out by the relevant authorities. However, vehicles designed for agricultural use with a width between 2.55 meters and 3.05 meters are not allowed to operate on highways from dusk until dawn.
g) In cases where there is no alternative means of transportation and special and exceptional conditions exist, the transportation of indivisible special loads is possible under the following conditions. When selecting a vehicle to transport the load, compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this article must be ensured. Whether this is possible will be determined by the General Directorate of Highways. If it is not possible, the transportation of indivisible special loads that do not comply with at least one of the dimensions or weights mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this article is permitted, considering the condition of the roads and bridges, ensuring that traffic safety is not endangered, and taking necessary safety measures along the designated route. However, it is mandatory to obtain a Special Load Transport Permit from the General Directorate of Highways,
1) For continuous transportation on highways, a time-limited permit specifying the route and transport limits for each vehicle, semi-trailer, or combination dedicated to this task.
2) For individual transportation on highways, a separate Special Load Transport Permit specifying the route, transport conditions, and time of transportation for each vehicle, semi-trailer, or combination dedicated to this task must be obtained.
h) For vehicles, semi-trailers, combinations, construction machinery, and similar vehicles, whether registered or unregistered, that do not comply with at least one of the dimensions or weights mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this article, a special permit must be obtained from the General Directorate of Highways according to the provisions specified in paragraph (g) to operate unloaded on highways. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of this article are excluded from this requirement.
i) It is not necessary to obtain a permit from the General Directorate of Highways for vehicles belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces used for military purposes, according to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this article. However, the same level of safety measures must be taken by military authorities for these vehicles.
j) Vehicles, semi-trailers, and trailers that do not comply with at least one of the dimensions or weights mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this article but are allowed to transport special loads by obtaining a special load transport permit according to paragraph (g) must have the obligation to obtain a special load transport permit or special permit for each operation recorded on their roadworthiness certificate and traffic certificate.
k) Vehicles operating under a special permit or special load transport permit must continuously display the special signs specified in the permit and comply with the special conditions.
Vehicles required to obtain a special permit or special load transport permit will be impounded if they are operated on the highway without obtaining the permit or violating the permit conditions.
l) The provisions of the "Regulations on International Carriage of Goods and Passengers by Road" are reserved.
m) On winter services on road routes, vehicles belonging to the road maintenance agency may operate with attachments such as salt spreaders, front-side snow plows, snow blowers, etc., together or separately, with a maximum speed of 60 km/h, even if they exceed.