For a number of years, motoring while on holiday in Turkey has involved using the now-familiar KGS cards and machines for motorway tolls.

However, since 1st January 2013, the Turkish authorities have replaced the KGS card with a new HGS system – registered to the car registration number, rather than the owner/driver – which means there are now no less than 3 systems in place for paying motorway tolls; OGS, KGS and HGS.

The idea behind the introduction of HGS is to avoid the need to stop at a KGS booth and show your card to the machine, which slows down entry and exit to motorways.

CLC World members and owners can buy an HGS card from any of the offices located at the motorway entrances and exits (open 08.00 – 17.00) or from most branches of the Garanti bank or Isbank. The new system has 2 different options: the first is an HGS windscreen sticker costing 5TL, which must be ‘charged’ with a minimum of 30TL for the tolls, or there is an HGS card which costs 15TL and must be ‘charged’ with at least 5TL before use.

In the meantime, if you should happen to use the motorway without any HGS credit, there will be no fine payable so long as you buy an HGS card or sticker within 7 days.

Should you still have a KGS card – with credit – from previous years, you can still use it at the KGS machines entering and exiting the motorway until such time as the credit runs out or the machines are removed.

Note: it is widely believed that, under the new system, hire cars will need to be rented with an HGS sticker to cover motorway tolls, but this will depend on the policy of the hire company in question. As there may be a fine if you go through the wrong toll lane, it is advisable to check direct with the company as to which system they use – OGS, KGS or HGS – when you arrange your car hire.