Reports of new traffic offense laws unfounded: TN government

CHENNAI: The transport department on Thursday clarified that the state government has not received any information about the new rules related to transport offenses that will come into force from June 1, as reported by a section of the media.

Recently, media houses in New Delhi reported that the union government has amended the provisions of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, according to which people who have suffered accidents before the age of 18 will be issued a driving license only after the age of 25.

The official stated that the state government has not received any notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) through official channels. “Even if MoRTH issued such a notification, it would come into effect only after the state changes the motor vehicle laws in Tamil Nadu.”

Reports showed that in the event of an accident, parents who allow their children to drive will face a fine of Rs 25,000 and the vehicle’s registration certificate will be suspended. It was also reported that driving license applicants can get their driving licenses from driving schools and not from RTOs.

However, officials noted that the penalty for parents who allow their minor children to drive was changed already in 2019, but did not include the restriction on issuing a driving license until the age of 25.