Teen caught allegedly drink driving with seven passengers in his ute

A 17-year-old driver has been handed multiple charges after being caught allegedly drink driving with seven passengers at the Gold Coast.

The provisional driver was pulled over by police on Ridgevale Drive at Helensvale just before 2am on Wednesday after being seen drifting between lanes.

Police said officers discovered three unrestrained passengers sitting in the rear tray of the ute.

Roadside breath testing allegedly indicated a breath alcohol reading of 0.022 per cent, exceeding the limit for a P1 licence holder.

Police bodycam footage shows the driver being questioned about why he was driving with so many passengers while over the alcohol limit.

"We didn't want to pay for an uber," the teenager told police.

Police also made one of the passengers pick up a fast food drink that had been allegedly tossed out of the vehicle just before it was pulled over.

The 17-year-old has been charged for carrying passengers in the tray of the vehicle as well as driving over the alcohol limit.

He was also issued traffic infringement notices totalling $966 for multiple offences.

He is expected to face the Southport Children's Court on September 14.