Prague Steps Up Checks on Illegal Electric Vehicles and Noisy Exhaust Systems

Prague intends to take tougher action against unauthorised single-track electric vehicles, as well as cars and motorcycles with illegally modified exhaust systems.

Unauthorised electric vehicles are found in Prague particularly among food couriers, tourist rental services and private users. Although some of these vehicles would be classified as motor vehicles due to their technical specifications, they are used like ordinary bicycles – without registration, number plates or compliance with other legal requirements.

Vehicles modified through software may initially look like conventional e-bikes or e-scooters. Once the electronic restriction has been removed, however, they achieve significantly higher power and speeds, making them technically more akin to mopeds or motorcycles.

“We want to focus on vehicles that merely look like bicycles but whose power and speed are comparable to those of mopeds or motorcycles. We also want to take more effective action against cars and motorcycles with illegally modified exhaust systems that disturb their surroundings with excessive noise,” said Prague Deputy Mayor for Transport Jaromír Beránek.

Until now, it has often been difficult to provide clear evidence of violations directly at the scene. The new technology will provide the police with objective evidence that can serve as the basis for possible penalties, Beránek added.

Initial Checks Reveal Technical Limitations

The Transport Department of Prague City Hall has already developed a procedure for inspecting single-track electric vehicles together with the traffic police. However, initial joint checks in June showed that a vehicle’s actual technical specifications cannot be clearly determined at the scene without specialised equipment.

A mobile roller dynamometer is intended to address this problem. The device can measure a vehicle’s actual power and maximum design speed. The results can then be used to determine the category to which the vehicle actually belongs.

Mobile Measuring Device to Combat Excessive Vehicle Noise

In addition, Prague is acquiring a CANOS mobile sound-level meter. The city has long received complaints about excessive noise caused particularly by motorcycles, sports cars and other vehicles with unauthorised or deliberately modified exhaust systems.

The problem is particularly severe in the city centre, residential areas and along busy roads. The new device will make it possible to measure a vehicle’s noise emissions accurately and repeatedly during an inspection. The results can then serve as reliable grounds for further action.