More Than 1,400 Inspections in 2025: Hundreds of Violations in Taxi and App-Based Rides in Prague

Prague City Hall carried out extensive inspections in the taxi sector in 2025. In several hundred cases, the authorities identified breaches of statutory requirements. App-based rides were particularly affected.

Last year, the city inspected a total of 1,470 taxi companies and drivers. Violations were identified in 314 cases. In total, 18 security deposits amounting to CZK 815,000 were imposed, along with further sanctions.

The majority of inspections concerned rides booked via digital platforms: 1,259 checks were carried out on app-based taxis, with violations identified in 244 cases (19 per cent). In traditional taxi services using taximeters, 162 inspections were conducted, resulting in 35 violations (22 per cent). The rate was particularly high in so-called contract transport, such as hotel transfers: of 49 inspections, 35 led to objections, representing a rate of 71 per cent.

Over the course of the year, nine drivers also had their taxi driver licences revoked. In 17 cases, the authorities identified violations on the part of intermediaries—mostly because the ride was carried out by a different driver from the one listed in the app.

Foto: Lexi Anderson | Unsplash

Foreign drivers often do not speak Czech and are unable to communicate with passengers

Given the high proportion of foreign drivers, Prague City Hall works closely with the Foreign Police, and since last year also with the Prague Labour Inspectorate and the Ministry of the Interior’s Department for Asylum and Migration Policy. During joint operations, the Foreign Police recorded a total of 491 administrative offences between January and October 2025, detained 18 people and imposed 157 on-the-spot fines. According to the city, many drivers are unfamiliar with their legal obligations, do not speak Czech and are unable to communicate adequately with either inspection bodies or passengers.

Another focus of inspections is Václav Havel Airport Prague. There, municipal authorities work together with the City Police, the Police of the Czech Republic, the Foreign Police and Customs. The inspections repeatedly reveal recurring violations—both among app-based drivers and in the area of contract transport. Common findings include unregistered taxis, drivers without valid permits, and invalid or improperly concluded transport contracts. According to City Hall, the effectiveness of the measures would be higher if closer cooperation with the airport’s operating company could be achieved. Attempts to establish such cooperation have so far been unsuccessful.

Foto: Prague Airport

In addition, the city carries out so-called test rides via the most commonly used taxi apps. These inspections also repeatedly uncover serious violations, in particular rides without the required permit, in which drivers operate in the name of other individuals registered in the app. Further inspections take place at tourist hotspots.

The checks also regularly uncover forged documents, especially driving licences. In several cases, those concerned were handed directly over to the police. In 2024 alone, City Hall reported dozens of such cases to the police.

The transport department is also responsible for price monitoring. Since 1 January 2025, the set maximum fares apply exclusively to journeys using a taximeter. All identified violations are pursued through administrative proceedings.