State JPJ director Zamri Samion said a 16-year-old boy was arrested during a special operation last night for driving a commercial vehicle without a licence at Jalan Tok Adis-Cendering.

He said both the driver and the lorry attendant were underage.

“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 at the Gemuruh toll here last night.

Zamri also said that action had been taken against 603 public service vehicles (PSVs) and goods vehicles during a special commercial vehicle operation between Sept 1 and Sept 24.

Some 5,315 vehicles, including express buses, tour buses, lorries, hire cars and e-hailing vehicles, were inspected during the operation.

Violations included driving with expired PSV and goods driving licences, the overloading of goods, expired insurance coverage, and failure to obey traffic lights.

“In addition, 11 vehicles were impounded, 144 were ordered to undergo weighing, and 12 others were issued with various other notices,” Zamri said.