What Happens If a Fine Is Issued to a Rental Car? The Traffic Fines Process

Using a rental car is widely preferred for both daily needs and transportation for business and travel purposes. However, one of the topics that rental car drivers are most curious about is the question: “What happens if a fine is issued to a rental car?” A rent a car traffic fine is a situation frequently encountered especially in short-term rentals. Traffic violations such as speed limit violations, EDS (Electronic Inspection System) fines, red light violations, emergency lane violations, and parking fines issued to the license plate can lead to legal and financial consequences for rental car users.

So in this case, to whom is the traffic fine issued, is the fine charged to the renter or to the car rental company, how is the fine paid, and what happens in case of delay? In addition, questions such as whether rental car traffic fines can be seen on e-Devlet, whether the early payment discount is valid, and whether penalty points are recorded for the renter are also among the topics most researched by drivers. In this article, we explain all the details step by step about the rental car fine process, legal responsibilities, payment methods, and ways to avoid fines.

Who Is Responsible for Traffic Fines When Using a Rental Car?

In traffic violations committed while using a rental car, the legal responsibility belongs entirely to the person renting the vehicle. According to the Turkish Highway Traffic Law, traffic fines are issued to the license plate, and since the registered owner of the vehicle appears as the rent a car company in the system, the fine is first delivered to the car rental company. However, the person who receives and uses the vehicle during the rental period is held responsible for all traffic fines in accordance with the rental agreement.

This situation does not change whether it is individual car rental or corporate car rental. Rental companies take as a basis the user whose signature appears on the rental agreement as the person responsible for paying the fine. Therefore, even if the fine is written to the license plate, the traffic fine is reflected to the user.

How Does It Work in Practice?

• The fine is written to the license plate and notified to the rental company
• The company directs the fine to the renter based on the rental agreement
• In addition to the fine, a processing cost or service fee may be charged
• If the renter does not make the payment, a legal follow-up and interest process may be initiated

⚠️ Important Information

When a traffic violation is committed with a rental car, the renter is responsible not only for the amount of the fine but also for driver-specific sanctions such as penalty points on the driver’s license. The reason for this is that the authority issuing the fine can identify the driver based on the rental agreement.

How Can You Find Out About a Traffic Fine Issued to a Rental Car?

Traffic violations committed while using a rental car are not always notified immediately. Especially radar fines, EDS fines, parking fines, and red light violations that are issued to the license plate do not reach the person who used the vehicle directly via SMS or e-mail. Therefore, many users wonder the answer to the question “How can I find out if a traffic fine has been issued to a rental car?”

Ways to find out about a traffic fine issued to a rental car:

1. Fine Inquiry via e-Devlet

Traffic fines can be viewed through the “Inquiry of Fines Issued to Vehicle License Plate” service on e-Devlet. However, since rental cars are not registered in your name, this method often does not provide results.

2. GİB (gib.gov.tr) Traffic Fine Inquiry

With the Revenue Administration (GİB) traffic fine inquiry screen, license plate fines can be checked and online payment can be made. However, since rental cars are registered to the rent a car company, the fine may not appear here either.

3. EGM Radar and EDS Fine Inquiry

With the General Directorate of Security (EGM) fine inquiry system, radar fines and EDS speed violation fines can be learned. However, likewise, since the vehicle owner appears as the rent a car company rather than the user, it provides limited information.

4. Getting Information from the Car Rental Company

Rental car traffic fines are most accurately notified by the rent a car company. When the fine appears in the system, the car rental company reaches you via the contact information in the contract and informs you. Some companies even pay the fine automatically and request an additional processing service fee.

How Is a Traffic Fine Notified to the Rental Car User?

Traffic fines committed while using a rental car are not issued directly to the driver, because in the system the fine is recorded to the vehicle’s license plate and to the owner, namely the rent a car company. Therefore, the fine first reaches the car rental company. So how is the fine notified to the user?

Car rental companies keep all rental transactions recorded in the system in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. When the fine appears in the system, the person to whom the fine belongs is identified according to the rental dates, and the user is contacted by one of the following methods:

• The fine information is shared by phone call
• Notification is sent via SMS
• The fine amount, receipt, and payment details are sent by e-mail
• The rental company issues an e-invoice and reflects the fine to the user
• Some companies may collect the fine automatically and make a deduction from the credit card

Many rent a car companies may reflect additional costs to the user while notifying traffic fines, under names such as fine processing fee, service charge, or follow-up fee. Since these additional fees are included in the rental agreement, they are legally valid.

What Is the Role of the Car Rental Company in Rental Car Fines?

In traffic fines committed with a rental car, the car rental company (rent a car company) plays an important role in the official process. This is because when the traffic fine is recorded in the system, it is first written to the license plate and officially notified to the rental company as the vehicle owner. Therefore, the fine process proceeds through the rent a car company before it is notified to the renter.

Responsibilities of the Car Rental Company

The role of car rental companies in the traffic fines process is not limited only to notification; they also have certain legal responsibilities. When rental car traffic fines appear in the system, the rent a car company first follows the fine notification and identifies who used the vehicle through the rental agreement and vehicle delivery form. Then, the fine is notified to the relevant renter via phone, SMS, or e-mail, and information is provided about the traffic fine payment process. Since the fine is officially issued to the license plate, the car rental company is obliged to reflect the fine to the renter, and, when necessary, delivers fine receipts, transaction breakdowns, or legal information documents to the user. If the traffic fine is not paid within the specified period, the company has the right, in accordance with the contract, to initiate late interest, additional service charges, or a legal collection process.

How Does the Process Work for Speed and Radar Fines Committed with a Rental Car?

If you exceed the speed limit with a rental car, a radar fine or EDS speed fine is automatically detected through the license plate. Since these fines are among the most frequently issued penalties in traffic violations, they are one of the topics that rental car users are most curious about.

Who Sees the Radar Fine?

Since radar and speed fines are written to the license plate, they are first visible to the car rental company. When the fine is electronically recorded in the system, by considering the date and time of issuance, it is determined who had the vehicle, and the renter is notified.

How Does the Process Work?

The speed fine process in a rental car works as follows:

1. The radar violation is detected and the fine is issued to the license plate.
   
   

2. The fine appears in the General Directorate of Security (EGM) system.
   
   

3. The traffic fine is notified to the rent a car company as the vehicle owner.
   
   

4. According to the rental agreement, the fine is reflected to the renter.
   
   

5. The company either has the renter pay the fine or pays it automatically and collects it from the renter’s credit card.
   
   

Are Penalty Points Recorded for the Renter?

Yes, if the person who commits a speed limit violation is the renter, the driver’s license penalty points are recorded for the renter. Traffic fines do not include only financial sanctions; at the same time, point penalties such as 25 points for speed violations and 10 penalty points may also be applied to the driver.

How Are Parking and EDS Fines Applied to Rental Cars?

Among the most frequently encountered fines while using a rental car are parking fines and traffic fines issued by EDS cameras. In situations such as incorrect parking, exceeding paid parking time, or parking in prohibited areas, parking fines are written to the license plate and first notified to the car rental company. Similarly, fines applied by the EDS (Electronic Inspection System) such as red light violations, lane violations, use of emergency lanes, and speed control violations are also written to the license plate and therefore reflected to the renter. The rent a car company notifies the user of these fines and in most cases may request an additional fee under the name of a processing service charge. If the fine is not paid, interest accrues and the process may go as far as legal follow-up. Therefore, when using a rental car, it is of great importance to pay attention to traffic rules, especially to comply with the rules in parking violations and EDS monitoring areas.

What Happens If Fines Issued to a Rental Car Are Not Paid?

If traffic fines issued to a rental car are not paid on time, they may lead to both financial and legal consequences. Since the fine is first reflected to the rent a car company as the vehicle owner, the company notifies the user of the fine and reminds them of the payment obligation. However, if the fine is not paid, late interest starts to accrue and the debt increases every day. Many car rental companies have the right to collect the fine from the renter’s credit card, reflect additional service charges, or initiate a legal follow-up in case of non-payment. If the fine is not paid for a long time, the file may be transferred to enforcement proceedings, and the user may be blacklisted, preventing them from renting a car again from the same company. In addition, unpaid fines do not only bring financial burden; they may also lead to additional sanctions such as vehicle impoundment, increase in driver’s license penalty points, and invalidity of insurance coverage. Therefore, it will always be more correct and economical to pay traffic fines committed with a rental car as soon as possible, together with the early payment discount advantage.

How Is a Fine Collected from the Renter? Is an Additional Service Fee Charged?

Since traffic fines committed with a rental car are officially issued to the vehicle’s license plate, they first reach the car rental company and are then invoiced to the renter. Fine collection is generally carried out according to the clauses stated in the rental agreement. For this reason, no legal problems are encountered while collecting the fine from the user; the process is carried out within the legal framework.

Car rental companies usually reflect the fine to the renter through the following methods:

• They notify the user of the fine and request payment via bank transfer/EFT or card
• They may make a direct deduction from the credit card pre-authorization
• They may issue an e-invoice / e-archive invoice and officially reflect the fine to the renter

Many rent a car companies not only reflect the fine but also request an additional fee under names such as “traffic fine processing service fee” or “fine follow-up fee.” Although this fee varies according to company policies, it can generally be between 50 TL and 500 TL. The reason for reflecting this fee is the operational costs incurred in processes such as detecting the fine, notifying it, collection procedures, and official correspondence.

In conclusion, rental car fine collection is taken directly from the renter, and in most cases an additional service fee is also added to the fine. Since this situation is clearly stated in car rental agreements, drivers must rent vehicles knowing this responsibility.

Choose Europcar for Reliable Car Rental and a Smooth Fine Process

The traffic fine process for rental cars can sometimes be tiring and complicated; however, with the right car rental company, this process becomes much more transparent, fast, and smooth. If you want to work with a company that offers reliable, corporate services, has transparent contracts, and prioritizes customer satisfaction, Europcar is the right choice. Europcar provides a comfortable car rental experience for both individual and corporate users with its traffic fine notification system, transparent pricing policy, 24/7 customer support, and secure payment infrastructure.

If you also want to experience a safe, fast, and smooth car rental experience, take a look at Europcar right away. You can easily choose the most suitable vehicle for you with its wide vehicle fleet, flexible rental options, and advantageous prices.