Ahmedabad has witnessed an alarming surge in cases of underage driving, with minors increasingly found riding or driving at reckless speeds on city roads.Despite sustained enforcement drives and strict penalties by the traffic police, official data indicate a serious lack of awareness among parents, many of whom are held responsible for allowing children without valid licences to use vehicles.
According to Ahmedabad Traffic Police records, underage driving cases jumped dramatically from just 11 in 2024 to 5,835 in 2025. The fines collected from such violations also saw a steep rise, increasing from Rs 33,000 in 2024 to Rs 21.11 lakh in 2025.Officials attribute the sharp increase partly to more proactive enforcement. The traffic department carried out regular drives near schools and tuition centres and conducted awareness programmes in educational institutions.
To reach younger audiences, police also intensified road safety campaigns on social media, highlighting the dangers and legal consequences of underage driving. Under existing laws, minors caught driving two-wheelers or cars face heavy fines, and criminal proceedings are initiated.
“Underage drivers not only endanger their own lives but also pose a serious threat to pedestrians and other road users,” a police official said. In cases where accidents involve minors, legal action is extended to the vehicle owner or guardian. Penalties include hefty fines, possible imprisonment and cancellation of the vehicle’s registration.
Civic experts stressed that while enforcement is essential, the primary responsibility lies with parents. Many minors, they noted, succumb to peer pressure or attempt risky stunts, often with fatal consequences.
“When parents hand over vehicles to underage children, they are not providing convenience,” an expert said. “They are exposing them to life-threatening risks on public roads.”