Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait

Kuwait, Jan 23: What was once a straightforward trip to a repair shop has now become a regulated process for vehicle and motorcycle owners flagged for noisy exhausts in Kuwait. Under a newly introduced mechanism, repairs to exhaust systems can no longer be carried out without prior official authorisation.

The General Traffic Department has made it mandatory for owners of vehicles and motorcycles found violating noise limits or technical specifications to first obtain approval from the Technical Inspection Departments. The move is aimed at tightening enforcement, improving service delivery, and ensuring strict adherence to approved technical standards.

Under the new procedure, once a violation is recorded, the owner is issued an official exhaust repair form. This document permits repairs only at authorised workshops and dealerships, effectively preventing unauthorised or substandard modifications.

After repairs are completed, owners must return to the Technical Inspection Department for a mandatory follow-up check. Vehicles will only be cleared for regular use once inspectors confirm that the exhaust system fully complies with the prescribed technical requirements.

Authorities said the system is designed to balance efficiency with oversight, helping speed up repairs while maintaining regulatory control. The initiative is also expected to curb noise pollution, enhance road safety, and ensure that exhaust modifications do not compromise environmental or technical standards.

With the new rules in place, officials have urged motorists to comply strictly, warning that vehicles failing post-repair inspections will not be permitted back on the road.