Lisbon, July 13, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal's National Republican Guard (GNR) police force announced on Sunday that it had seized 18 tourist vehicles, known as tuk-tuks, in Lisbon and Sintra, and drivers had used forged documents and false number plates.

#The Lisbon Territorial Command, through the Traffic Accident Investigation Unit (NICAV) of the Carcavelos Traffic Detachment, on 11 July, seized 18 tourist vehicles in the municipalities of Lisbon and Sintra," the statement said.

“Following an investigation that had been ongoing for about a year into document forgery, legalisation and registration of vehicles used for tourist activities,” the military police carried out police investigations that culminated in the execution of two search warrants in warehouses where the vehicles were located,” the statement added, announcing the seizure of 18 vehicles.

The Sintra Judicial Court now handles the case.

Very popular in Asian countries, these motorcycles converted to carry several passengers have been growing significantly in several Portuguese cities, particularly Lisbon and Porto, and are widely used by tourists.

The Lisbon City Council has given EMEL the power to monitor and fine tuk-tuks for traffic violations since April this year, when several restrictions on the circulation of these tourist vehicles came into force in the capital.

Tuk-tuks may circulate on all streets except 337 streets in seven parishes, namely Avenidas Novas, Arroios, Penha de França, São Vicente, Santo António, Misericórdia and Santa Maria Maior.

MBA/ADB // ADB.

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