Hyderabad police move to cancel registrations of 20 vehicles driven by minors

Hyderabad Traffic Police cancel registrations of 20 vehicles driven by minors, enforcing strict penalties for underage driving.

The Hyderabad Traffic police have initiated proceedings to cancel the registrations of 20 vehicles caught being driven by minors. On Thursday (April 10), the department began writing to the Telangana Transport Department, requesting that the registrations of these vehicles be cancelled for a period of 12 months—marking the first set of cases to reach this stage under the city’s latest enforcement drive.

The action comes just days after the city police launched a fresh crackdown targeting minors behind the wheel. Since Monday, over 300 cases have been booked, with traffic officials recording an average of 100–120 violations per day.

“Once the court disposes of the case, we immediately forward a request to the RTA for cancellation of the vehicle’s registration,” said Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), D. Joel Davis. “These are non-trial cases, so proceedings are swift. The individuals are produced before the local court, and as soon as the legal formalities are completed, we initiate action with the RTA. For 20 cases, action begins today”

The crackdown comes in the wake of a troubling surge in accidents involving underage drivers — fatalities more than doubled from three in 2023 to seven in 2024. In 2025 alone, seven such accidents have been reported already, resulting in three deaths and six injuries.

The move is backed by Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds vehicle owners accountable when minors are found driving. Penalties include fines, jail time, cancellation of the vehicle’s registration, and disqualification of the minor from applying for a driving licence until the age of 25.

The official says the enforcement sends a clear message to parents and guardians that allowing minors to drive is not just illegal—it will have long-term consequences.