Punjab Assembly Resolution: Lower Driving License Age to 16 in Pakistan 2025

Traffic in Punjab is no joke. Roads buzz with bikes, cars, and trucks, and rules keep evolving. Now, a fresh resolution in the assembly wants to drop the minimum age for a driving license from 18 to 16. It's stirred talk about safety, jobs, and how teens fit into all this. Moved by opposition MPA Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood, it's not the law yet, but it's got people thinking.

The idea? Punjab has a booming young crowd. Letting them drive earlier could get them working sooner, like delivery jobs or family errands. And it points to places like Canada and Germany, where kids start at 16 or 17 with some limits. Makes sense on paper, right? But roads here are wild, full of potholes and unpredictable turns.

Behind the Resolution

Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood tabled this on December 13, 2025. He argues it's time to update old rules. Youth make up a big chunk of the population, and driving could open doors for them. Think students commuting to college or part-time gigs. In Canada, 16-year-olds drive with supervision first. Germany lets 17-year-olds go with an adult. The resolution wants Pakistan to follow suit, but tailored to local needs.

Not everyone's on board. Some worry about more accidents. Teens might lack judgment in heavy traffic. Data from other countries shows mixed results—lower ages with training cut risks, but without it, crashes spike. Punjab's plan doesn't detail extra classes or tests yet. That's a gap.

Still, supporters see economic wins. Young folks could earn sooner, easing family burdens. In rural areas, driving means better access to markets or schools. But urban chaos in Lahore or Multan? That's trickier.

The Flip Side: New Traffic Laws Tighten the Reins

This isn't happening in a vacuum. The Punjab Assembly is also eyeing the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance 2025. It ramps up penalties for bad driving. Fines jump to Rs2,000-Rs50,000, with jail time up to six months. Underage driving? That's a big one, fines and possible license points.

The ordinance introduces a point system. Rack up 20 points in a year, and your license gets yanked. Each violation deducts two to four points. Speeding costs Rs2,000 for bikes, up to Rs15,000 for big vehicles. Tinted windows? Rs5,000 fine. One-way wrongs and unfit rides get hit hard, too.

Drunk driving means Rs10,000-Rs20,000 and jail. No insurance or pollution certificate? Similar penalties. Overloading: Rs3,000 for rickshaws, Rs15,000 for trucks. It's all about safer roads, says the government.

If the age drops to 16, these rules could balance risks. Teens would face stiff consequences for slip-ups. But enforcement is key. Punjab police need tools to check ages and violations.

Pros and Cons for Young Drivers

Lower age pros: Freedom. Teens could handle their commutes, save on transport. Jobs in ride-sharing or logistics open up. Families in villages benefit most.

Cons: Safety first. Pakistan's accident rates are high. Inexperienced drivers add to that. Insurance might cost more for under-18s. And parents? Many fret about kids on busy highways.

International tweaks help. Graduated licenses start with restrictions, and earn full rights later. Punjab could adopt that. Mandatory training, too.

Public views are split. Social media buzzes with debates. Some say yes for progress, others no for chaos.

Impact on Punjab's Roads

If passed, this changes things. More young drivers mean busier license offices. Schools might add driving courses. Economy gets a nudge from active youth.

But with the ordinance, it's a package deal. Stricter laws deter recklessness. Fines fund better infrastructure, maybe.

Long-term? Fewer accidents if done right. Cleaner air with pollution checks. But rushed changes could backfire.

Other provinces watch. Sindh has its bus reforms; Punjab focuses on drivers. Federal rules might shift, too.

What's Next?

The assembly debates now. If it passes, the rules update soon. Teens wait eagerly, parents cautiously.

For drivers, stay alert. New fines bite. Check your license, follow the rules.

This shift aims for modern Punjab. Youth empowered, roads safer. But balance is everything. Watch for updates; things move fast here.

For more updates, visit DrivePK.com