Underage driving is a crime, not an adventure: Violators face driving licence ban until age of 25

Minors taking the steering wheel before reaching legal age, as well as parents who hand over vehicle keys, should exercise extreme caution. A moment of teenage driving adventure could delay your dream of obtaining a driving licence by nearly seven years. If a minor is caught driving illegally, they will not be eligible for a learner's licence or a full driving licence until they turn 25. Furthermore, parents and vehicle owners will face legal prosecution for the minor's offence.

Offenders face strict prosecution under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. Minors who drive in the hope of securing a licence as soon as they turn 18 will forfeit their eligibility until the age of 25 if caught. Proceedings against minors will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, depending on the nature and circumstances of the offence.

Three-year prison term for parents and suspension of vehicle registration

Once caught driving illegally as a minor, eligibility for even a learner's licence is deferred until the individual reaches 25 years of age. Penalties apply not only to the minor operating the vehicle, but also to their parents or guardians.

Parents face up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹25,000. In addition, the registration of the vehicle involved in the violation will be cancelled for a duration of one year.

Strict punishments for underage driving were introduced by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act in 2019, following a surge in road accidents and fatalities involving minors. Minor drivers operating a vehicle without a valid licence also face an independent fine of up to ₹10,000, alongside penalties prescribed under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Legal framework and provisions under section 199A

Section 199A was incorporated into the Motor Vehicles Act through the 2019 amendment. This specific provision authorises law enforcement to book parents and vehicle owners if a minor causes an accident or operates a vehicle.

Simultaneously, driving without a licence by a minor is categorised as a petty offence under the Juvenile Justice Act. In such instances, registering a formal First Information Report (FIR) against the minor is not mandatory; recording the details in the police station's General Diary suffices.

Penalties for underage driving at a glance

• A fine of up to ₹10,000 for driving without a licence, alongside up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹25,000 for the parent or vehicle owner.
• Cancellation of the vehicle's registration certificate for 12 months.
• The minor offender is rendered ineligible to apply for a learner's or driving licence until completing 25 years of age.
• Minor offenders remain subject to sentencing and rehabilitation measures under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.