Bengaluru Traffic Police to book parents as underage driving rises

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) has launched a special drive against underage driving after a rise in fatal accidents involving minors, including one near Hoskote.

Under the operation, the police will penalise minor drivers and book parents and vehicle owners under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities can seize vehicles and produce parents before the court for allowing children to drive.

Joint Commissioner of Police Karthik Reddy said that despite repeated awareness campaigns, parental oversight remains very low. The menace of wheeling, with stunts on two-wheelers, is also under the scanner.

In 2025 alone, 646 cases of wheeling were recorded, including 159 cases against minors and their parents.

Zero-tolerance policy

Under the new special drive, the BTP will not only issue fines, but will also seize vehicles found being operated by underage persons.

"We have also decided to produce the owners or parents directly before the court," Reddy noted.

The police will invoke the BNS Act to ensure stricter legal consequences for guardians who encourage or ignore their children taking the wheel before the legal age.

The BTP has urged school and college administrations to step up efforts in educating students about road safety.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility. We request the public to cooperate and parents to ensure their children do not touch a vehicle until they are legally licensed," Reddy said.

Surge in violations

Data released by the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) shows a rising trend.

Cases against underage driving under the Motor Vehicles Act have increased four-fold in just two years.

Year             Underage driving cases 

2023                      95

2024                      197

2025                      414