Istanbul’s Transport Coordination Center (UKOME) has voted to revoke the licenses of taxi drivers found guilty of overcharging tourists, following a series of fraud cases involving excessive credit card charges.
The decision was made during a meeting held at the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) in Eyüpsultan, under the chairmanship of Pelin Alpkökin, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).
According to information presented at the meeting, police reports and video evidence confirmed that some taxi drivers committed offenses including unfair profit, solicitation, fraud, obstruction of filming, and illegal operations. In one case, a driver charged a tourist 36,000 lira (about USD 1,080 / EUR 1,000) on a credit card, while another driver withdrew 400,000 lira (about USD 12,000 / EUR 11,200) from a tourist’s account in two transactions. The motion to cancel licenses of drivers engaged in such practices was approved by vote.
Mandatory Retraining for Drivers
As part of the measures, UKOME introduced a new rule requiring drivers or transport operators whose Public Transport Vehicle Usage Certificate is suspended for 30 consecutive days or a total of 60 days within a year to undergo retraining. The retraining will be provided by the IMM Transportation Academy and will cover regulations, city knowledge of Istanbul, safe driving techniques, and foreign language basics.
Participants must complete a five-day program costing 15,000 lira and pass a final exam to return to service. The policy is intended to raise professional standards, reduce misconduct, and improve the overall quality of taxi services in Istanbul, particularly for international visitors who rely on taxis for transport around the city.
Additional Penalties and Oversight
UKOME also approved penalties for a range of other infractions by taxi operators and drivers. These include not turning on taximeters, illegal parking, smoking inside vehicles, driving without proper licenses, and alcohol consumption while on duty. Authorities confirmed that 1,019 penalties were issued against taxi operators and 707 against individual drivers.
The measures reflect growing concern among municipal officials and law enforcement about tourist safety and the city’s global reputation. Istanbul, one of the world’s most visited cities, depends heavily on tourism revenue, and officials have stressed the importance of protecting visitors from predatory practices.
Tourist Protection as a Priority
The stricter penalties and mandatory training align with broader efforts by the municipality to professionalize the taxi industry and align it with international standards. By enforcing rules against overcharging and misconduct, city leaders aim to ensure that tourists are not deterred from visiting Istanbul due to negative experiences with transportation services.
The decision also responds to longstanding complaints from visitors and locals about taxi drivers refusing rides, manipulating fares, or targeting foreigners for higher charges. While many drivers operate legally and provide reliable service, the municipality has stated that systematic enforcement is necessary to deter fraudulent practices and protect the city’s image.
Ongoing Monitoring
Authorities emphasized that ongoing monitoring of drivers will continue, with new technology and reporting systems supporting enforcement. Increased coordination between police, municipal inspectors, and regulatory bodies is expected to strengthen compliance. The municipality noted that transparency and accountability in taxi operations are critical to improving visitor satisfaction and trust.
The new measures mark a significant step in regulating Istanbul’s taxi sector, which serves millions of residents and tourists each year. By combining penalties, license revocations, and compulsory training, the city aims to rebuild confidence in a vital part of its transportation network.
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