Boy, 12, caught driving with brother, 4, in passenger seat

A 12-year-old boy was caught driving in South Dunedin yesterday, with his four-year-old brother apparently supervising from the passenger seat.

An adult male in the back seat of the van is to be prosecuted for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a motor vehicle.

Senior Sergeant Brian Benn of Dunedin said police had been called about 10 o'clock when a neighbour on Helena St in Caversham spotted the white van being driven strangely.

Police found the 12-year-old boy behind the wheel. "In the passenger seat was his younger brother who was four. I don't know if he was giving instructions or not," Mr Benn said.

"There was an adult male who was supervising the driving from the back seat."

The man was issued a ticket and would not have to appear in court.

No action would be taken against the driver. "We believe that the adult was at fault more than the 12-year-old," Mr Benn said.

The van did not have a warrant of fitness or registration.

- NZPA