Nagpur fines 26 parents Rs 30,000 each for letting minors drive

Nagpur city traffic police have stepped up action against parents and vehicle owners who allow minors to drive. In 26 such cases registered in 2026, courts have convicted the accused, with a fine of Rs 30,000 imposed in each case. Besides the fine, the driving licences involved have also faced action for 12 months, including cancellation or disqualification.

The traffic police are running a continuous drive to prevent road accidents and stop minors from driving. The focus is not only on minors caught driving but also on the parents and vehicle owners who hand them the vehicle.

In 2026, the traffic department had registered cases against a number of people who allegedly allowed minors to drive. After court hearings were completed, 26 of the accused were convicted.

In these cases, a fine of Rs 25,000 was imposed under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. Along with this, action under Section 199(4) led to driving licences being cancelled or disqualified for 12 months. This brought the total fine in each conviction to Rs 30,000.

Parents often let their children drive short distances for small errands, to reach somewhere quickly, or to satisfy their demands. But such a decision can pose a serious risk not just to the child but to others on the road as well.

Most minors do not hold a valid licence, and their lack of experience means they often cannot react properly to sudden traffic, speeding vehicles, turns and braking situations.

Traffic police officials have made clear that when a minor is caught driving, the minor alone will not be held responsible. The role of the parent or vehicle owner who handed over the vehicle is also being investigated.

The drive aims to make parents understand that handing a minor the keys to a vehicle can be treated as serious negligence, with legal consequences to follow.

The traffic department is taking action at major intersections, busy roads and routes with heavy movement of school and college students in the city. Police are keeping a close watch on minors and taking immediate action on any violation.

Officials have also said that stopping minors from driving requires the cooperation of parents, schools, colleges and society as a whole. If parents do not let their minor children drive, the risk of accidents can be significantly reduced.

The Nagpur city traffic department has said that strict legal action against parents and vehicle owners who allow minors to drive will continue.

Police have appealed to people not to let their minor children drive bikes, scooters or any motor vehicle. Parents are urged to put their children's safety first and not hand over vehicle keys to them.

The traffic police's clear message is that letting a minor drive can lead not only to legal fines but also to serious road safety risks.