Alarming Condition of “Pseudo‑Veterans” in Prague – More Than 80 Percent of Inspected Vehicles Found with Defects

Pseudo‑Veterans in Prague are once again drawing criticism: During a large-scale inspection operation in the city centre, authorities found partly serious technical defects in more than 80 percent of the vehicles checked.

The condition of many so-called Pseudo‑Veterans in Prague’s city centre continues to raise concerns. During a recent inspection operation carried out by Prague City Hall, technical defects were identified in 25 out of a total of 31 inspected vehicles. According to the authorities, all cases involved serious defects that could endanger the safety of passengers, pedestrians and other road users.

The inspections took place in mid-April in the centre of the Czech capital. The term “pseudo-veterans” refers to vehicles that outwardly resemble historic automobiles from the 1920s or 1930s. They often imitate classic models from Alfa Romeo or Mercedes-Benz, but are in fact modern replicas built on contemporary chassis.

Foto: Portál hlavního města Prahy

According to the authorities, many of these vehicles do not meet the current road safety standards. In addition to employees from Prague’s transport department, the joint inspection operation also involved police officers, specialist teams from the city’s taxi inspection unit and inspectors from the road transport inspection authority INSID.

Inspection teams simultaneously checked several locations across the city centre in order to prevent possible warnings among drivers. The operation focused both on the technical condition of the vehicles and on compliance with legal regulations governing taxi services.

Foto: Portál hlavního města Prahy

Inspectors most frequently identified problems involving lighting and electrical systems, unauthorised vehicle parts, illegal modifications, as well as sharp edges and protruding body parts. Corrosion affecting structural parts of the bodywork or chassis was also detected.

The technical approval of the affected vehicles was temporarily restricted to 30 days. Within this period, the defects must be repaired and the vehicles must undergo a new technical inspection.

Foto: Portál hlavního města Prahy

In addition, authorities issued penalties for several violations directly on site. Ten drivers received fines, while administrative proceedings were initiated in four further cases.

In connection with the taxi inspections, six drivers were penalised directly, while administrative proceedings are expected to follow in a further nine cases.

The City of Prague announced that inspections in this specific segment of the tourist transport sector will continue in the coming months.