KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Road Transport Department (JPJ) has detected the practice of some commercial vehicle operators hiring underage drivers.
State JPJ director Mohd Zamri Samion said during a special operation, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for driving a commercial vehicle without a licence in Jalan Tok Adis-Cendering.
Both the driver and the lorry attendant were confirmed to be underage, he said.
“The lorry, which was carrying coconut shells, was en route from Kuala Terengganu to Marang.
“We believe the owner hired an underage driver to cut operational costs.
“This is highly risky and endangers both the driver and other motorists. We have issued a summons and impounded the vehicle,” he said during Ops Khas Gempur at the Gemuruh toll plaza on Wednesday night, Bernama reported.
Mohd Zamri said action was taken against 603 public service vehicles (PSVs) and goods vehicles during the special commercial vehicle operation between Sept 1 and 24.
This follows inspections of 5,315 vehicles, including express buses, tour buses, lorries, hire cars and e-hailing vehicles.
The violations detected included expired PSV driving licences, overloading of goods, expired insurance coverage, failure to obey traffic lights, and expired Goods Driving Licences.
