The boy has been charged with unlicensed driving and will appear in Warrnambool court

Police have warned they will prosecute any driver without a valid licence after intercepting a 14-year-old Ballarat boy driving into Camperdown last Friday afternoon.

Camperdown police Senior Constable Adam Johnson was one of two divisional van crew members involved in the routine intercept on Cressy Street, the northern entrance to the town.

He said the Ballarat district youth was driving his sister's Holden Commodore, she was in the vehicle with him and had given the youth consent to drive her car.

The youth will be charged with unlicensed driving and appear in a children's court on a date to be fixed.

His 24-year-old sister has not been charged with an offence.

But, her Holden Commodore sedan, which was displaying P-plates, was seized, impounded for a month, which will attract towing and storage fees of $1295.

"We just had a feeling about the car. It certainly piqued our interest," Senior Constable Johnson said.

"We intercepted the vehicle for a routine check.

"When the youth got out of the car there was a bit of "what are you doing driving? You look a bit young." He hadn't even started shaving.

"He just told us he was learning to drive.

"There was nothing untoward about his driving. He wasn't driving erratically or speeding."

Senior Constable Johnson said the message to the general public was pretty simple.

"If you have not got a valid licence then you can't drive," he said.

"Having a licence is a privilege not a right. We request all drivers follow the road rules and that includes having a licence before you start driving," he said.

Saturday: A 14-year-old boy has been caught by Camperdown police learning how to drive on a public road.

Camperdown Police intercepted a Holden Commodore and were astonished to discover the 14-year-old boy behind the steering wheel.

He claimed his older sister was teaching him to drive.

The youth was interviewed, he will be charged with unlicensed driving and appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on a date to be fixed.

His sister's car has been impounded for a period of 30 days, which will attract towing and storage fees of $1295.

Earlier last week Portland police detected a car doing 140km/h on the Princes Highway at Allestree.

The driver was issued with a penalty notice for $693 and a licence suspension for six months.

More to come.

IN OTHER NEWS

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.