I have been given a wheel clamp (TPZOV)

Under § 17a zákona č. 553/1991 Sb., o obecní policii (Act No. 553/1991 Coll., on the Municipal Police), a municipal police officer may use a vehicle immobilisation device (a “wheel clamp”) if the vehicle has been left without the driver present and one of the following situations applies:

• No stopping or no parking: The vehicle has been left where parking or stopping is prohibited.
• No entry: The vehicle is standing in a place where entry is prohibited by local or temporary traffic regulation.
• Unauthorised parking on the pavement: The vehicle is standing on a pavement where this is not expressly permitted.
• Unauthorised use of public space: The vehicle occupies public space without authorisation.

Current practice in a modern municipal police force

Although the law still permits the use of wheel clamps, they are used only very rarely nowadays. Most municipal police forces have moved away from clamping across the board and replaced it with an administrative solution (the “notice under the wiper” and the subsequent handling of the offence). Today, officers resort to clamping mainly in repeat cases.

What to do

1. Call the operations centre on 353 153 911 and give the registration number.
2. Have ready your proof of identity and the vehicle documents (registration certificate, ID card).
3. Wait at the scene for the officer to arrive, or agree on how to proceed.