More than 1,000 driving bans were handed out to children aged 16 and under last year.
According to figures obtained by the BBC, a total of 1,024 disqualifications were issued in 2017 to children not yet legally old enough to drive – a rise from 696 in 2014.
The DVLA data, revealed to the broadcaster following a Freedom of Information request, also showed 33 driving bans were given to youngsters aged 13 and under – some as young as 12 – during the same period.
Motoring company RAC said the figures could be the “tip of the iceberg”.
Spokesman Simon Williams told the broadcaster: “It presents such a danger to every other road user, because they’re not only driving without a licence, they don’t have insurance.
“No doubt this is the tip of the iceberg because they have to be caught breaking the law and inevitably many will be getting away scot-free.”
Courts can impose driving bans for those convicted of driving without a licence – including those underage – as well as issue penalty points or fines.