ASHGABAT (TCA) — Starting from January 2018 the use of black cars will be prohibited in Turkmenistan, the foreign-based independent news website Chronicles of Turkmenistan reports.

The parking lot located on Yubileynaya street in Ashgabat has been filled with vehicles of dark colors for over two months. Correspondents of Chronicles of Turkmenistan report that the cars were actually arrested and towed away as per police requirements.

A few days ago the cars started to be returned to their owners who need to sign a document which obliges them to repaint their vehicle in white or light colors.

Radio Azatlyk also reports that black cars are towed away directly from parking lots and transported to car impounds of the road police.

The new requirements led to the fact that the fees for car painting services have doubled. The car painting used to cost $500 whereas now $1000 is charged for the same service.

Starting from January 2015 black cars were banned from being imported into Turkmenistan. At that time customs officers failed to explain the reasons behind the ban. They responded to outraged questions that white cars needed to be purchased as “white color is supposed to be lucky”.

The Chronicles of Turkmenistan mentioned that white is the favorite color of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

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