Why did Turkmenistan ban black cars?
Countries around the world have their own unique laws and regulations, but some rules are so bizarre that they leave people astonished. Turkmenistan, a Central Asian nation, is known for its strict governance and unusual policies. One of the most stringent and talked-about bans in the country revolves around something as common as the color of a car.
In the capital city of Ashgabat, driving black cars has practically been prohibited. Officials and the administration have strongly pushed for white and other light-colored vehicles instead. This unique regulation stems from the tenure of former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who reportedly believed that the white color symbolizes purity and good fortune, while associating the color black with bad luck.
The origins of the vehicle color restriction
This unusual rule did not appear overnight; rather, it evolved through years of administrative shifts. In 2015, the government banned the import of black cars into the country, making it difficult for residents to bring such vehicles across borders. By 2018, the ban extended to vehicles already present in the capital, with traffic police taking action against owners who failed to comply.
Car owners found themselves facing heavy financial burdens as they were forced to repaint their vehicles in white, silver, or gold to match government standards. Given that average monthly incomes in the country are relatively modest, the cost of repainting a vehicle became a significant financial hurdle for common citizens.
