A MAN has been charged after Gold Coast police allegedly caught a seven-year-old boy driving a car at Surfers Paradise early this morning.

It is alleged the 41-year-old man from New South Wales was drunk and riding in the passenger seat when police pulled over the car, being driven by the seven-year-old, on The Esplanade around 3am.

He has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and adult in charge under the influence of liquor.

The man will front Southport Magistrates Court on July 3.

Originally published as Boy, 7, was drunk's designated driver