The Telangana Transport Department cancelled the registration of more than 4,050 vehicles after minors were found driving them, invoking Section 199A(4) of the Motor Vehicles Act. The decisive move aims to deter future violations and enhance road safety across the state.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • More than 4,070 vehicle registrations were cancelled for a year under Section 199A(4).
  • Minors will be barred from obtaining any learner or driving licence until they turn 25.
  • Strict monitoring and penalties are now in place to prevent under‑age driving.

On July 13, 2026, the Telangana Transport Department revoked the registration of a car for one year after it was allegedly driven by a six‑year‑old girl, the granddaughter of Police Sub‑Inspector Pujari Thirupathi, on the busy Gandhamguda‑Bairagiguda road in Narsingi. The incident, captured by multiple eyewitnesses, prompted immediate legal action.

Legal Framework: Section 199A(4)

The cancellation was executed under Section 199A(4) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which criminalises the act of allowing a minor (under 18) to operate a motor vehicle. Both the vehicle owner and the guardian can be prosecuted, and the minor is ineligible for any learner’s or driving licence until the age of 25.

Scale of Enforcement in the Last Financial Year

According to the department, 4,070 vehicle registrations were annulled across Telangana during the previous financial year for similar violations. This figure underscores a systematic crackdown on under‑age driving, especially in densely populated urban corridors and around schools where the risk of accidents is high.

Implementation Guidelines and Future Measures

A circular dated October 25, 2024 outlined the procedural steps for enforcing Section 199A. Officers are mandated to seize the registration certificate of any vehicle driven by a juvenile, forward the child’s details to the registering authority, and initiate a twelve‑month cancellation after due process. The child’s data is entered into a dedicated database to ensure no learner’s licence is issued until the stipulated age.

Implications for Road Safety

Repeated incidents of minors behind the wheel have prompted policymakers to revisit Telangana’s road‑safety strategy. Experts argue that stringent actions like these can significantly reduce accident rates; Hyderabad alone recorded 128 minor‑involved crashes this year, highlighting the urgency of robust enforcement.