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The Police have today started saliva-based roadside drug testing in the Wellington District.
The new testing regime is aimed at improving Police’s ability to detect and deter drug-impaired drivers and reduce the deaths and serious injuries they cause on our roads.
Police will screen drivers anywhere, anytime at the roadside for four drugs – THC (cannabis), methamphetamine (meth), MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine. Most drivers will be free to go within about 10 minutes following a negative screening test result.
Drivers who test positive at the roadside will also be required to take a second saliva screening test. If a driver produces two positive roadside screening tests, they will be prohibited from driving for 12 hours, to address any immediate road safety risk.
If the roadside screening test is positive, a saliva sample will be sent to a laboratory and tested for 25 impairing substances (listed in Schedule 5(external link) of the Land Transport Act 1998).
An infringement notice will not be issued at the roadside and will only be issued after a positive test in the laboratory.
If an infringement is issued following a positive laboratory test, the driver can apply for a medical defence if it is for a drug that has been prescribed to them, provided they have followed any instructions from their medical practitioner and the drug manufacturer. This includes instructions about when to drive on that medication.
Drivers cannot use a prescription or medical note at the roadside to stop them from undergoing a test or to dispute a positive saliva screening test result. This includes a prescription or medical note for medicinal cannabis.
Following the rollout of roadside drug testing in the Wellington District, the screening regime is expected to be operating nationwide later in 2026.
Read the Transport Minister’s and Police Minister’s media statement(external link)
Read 'Drug driving testing - What you need to know’ on our website
New Zealand Police news story: Police rolls-out roadside drug driver testing(external link)
New Zealand Police website: Roadside drug driving testing(external link) (which includes information on the infringement penalties), and Medical defence(external link).