Shocking : young child driving truck down motorway

it is thought that the boy was in the truck with his father before the video later emerged on social media

This shocking video shows the moment a father is believed to have let his young son drive a truck down a motorway.

The boy, who is thought to be no older than 12, is seen in the driver's seat of the vehicle , holding on to the steering wheel.

Cars are seen driving in the opposite direction on the other side of the road.

Towards the end of the video, the boy shouts: "OK, take the wheel," before admitting he was scared.

The truck driver is believed to be Utah-based, according to KUTV News.

Shocking: The child is seen at the wheel of the truck while it's moving

The video was posted on the Facebook page of Michael Gustuson, who later removed the clip from his profile.

Attempts to get in touch with him were unsuccessful.

Lt. Jeff Nigbur, from Utah Highway Patrol, said: "I was honestly extremely shocked, seeing a child behind the wheel of a semi.

"I've been working 15 years along the Wasatch Front and I've never ever seen anything like that."

Motorway: The boy drives the truck down the fast-moving carriageway

He added: "The child does obviously not have a license or a CDL and is not experienced. He could've killed somebody.

"I kind of understand where he's coming from as a father, having some good father-son bonding time, but honestly, that's just not the way to do it."

Highway patrol have said criminal charges are possible but only if it can be determined that the boy was driving in Utah.