KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 -- A 13-year-old boy caught behind the wheel of a car in Kulim told enforcement officers he had no choice but to drive because his father was unwell and needed to run an errand.

The teenager was stopped by officers from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) during an enforcement operation in Kedah two days ago.

In a statement, Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam said the boy was driving a Perodua Kancil when he was pulled over at about 12.45pm along Jalan Sungai Seluang during an operation conducted by the Sungai Petani JPJ branch.

Checks found the boy did not possess a valid driving licence as he had yet to reach the legal age to obtain one - an offence under Section 39(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

"Legal act...