The Punjab government has introduced a juvenile driving permit scheme allowing teenagers aged between 16 and 18 years to legally ride motorcycles after fulfilling prescribed requirements, officials said.
The initiative has been launched under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and is aimed at providing a legal framework for underage motorcycle riders while promoting road safety and responsible driving practices.
Under the new system, young people across Punjab, including Lahore, will no longer have to wait until the age of 18 to obtain permission to ride a motorcycle. Instead, individuals aged between 16 and 18 years will be eligible to receive a special juvenile driving permit after meeting the required conditions.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore said separate permit fees have been fixed according to age categories.
According to the new schedule, applicants aged 16 to 17 years will have to pay a permit fee of Rs1,000, while those aged 17 to 18 years will be charged Rs500.
Traffic authorities said the permit has been designed with additional safety measures to reduce risks associated with underage driving.
The CTO said juvenile permit holders will be subject to strict speed restrictions and will not be allowed to ride motorcycles at speeds exceeding 60 kilometres per hour.
Officials said the restriction is intended to enhance road safety and reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents involving young riders.
Parental or guardian consent has also been made mandatory for obtaining the permit.
According to traffic police officials, applicants must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians when applying for the juvenile permit.
The parent or guardian will be required to provide a copy of their national identity card along with a passport-sized photograph of the applicant as part of the documentation process.
Authorities said the requirement has been introduced to ensure legal compliance and strengthen parental oversight of underage drivers.
Traffic police officials described the initiative as a significant step toward regulating motorcycle use among teenagers while encouraging responsible driving habits at an early age.
The scheme is expected to benefit thousands of young motorcycle riders across Punjab who previously operated vehicles without any formal legal authorization.
Officials said the juvenile driving permit programme combines legal recognition with safety safeguards, ensuring that young riders can use motorcycles while remaining subject to strict regulations and parental supervision.
The Punjab government has termed the initiative an important youth-focused reform aimed at balancing mobility needs with road safety requirements across the province.