A TEENAGER has been charged with traffic offences after allegedly taking a car belonging to his care worker.

On Friday at 12.35pm, the 14-year-old allegedly drove the vehicle from the Bray St commercial complex to a Pacific Hwy service station.

While allegedly en-route, the teenager drove through a red light on the Bray St/Pacific Hwy intersection and collided with a Hyundai and a parked Ford ranger.

The car belonged to a residential care facility operating on the Coffs Coast where the teen resides.

The car was stopped by a bystander at the service station and the 14-year-old fled to a nearby toilet block.

Police attended and arrested the teenager.

He was later charged with taking and driving a motor vehicle, drive in a manner dangerous, unlicensed driving and negligent driving.

The youth was granted conditional bail to appear in a children's court next month.