Drivers under the influence of drugs will soon face tougher enforcement on New Zealand roads, with the Government confirming which substances will be screened under a new oral-fluid roadside testing system.
“Drug-impaired drivers are a menace on New Zealand roads,” transport minister Chris Bishop says.
“Around 30 per cent of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug. If you take drugs and drive, you’re putting innocent lives at risk – and we will not tolerate it.
“Our Government is committed to improving road safety, and that includes holding dangerous, drugged-up drivers to account. Rolling out roadside drug testing is a practical step towards safer roads and fewer tragedies.”
Police minister Mark Mitchell says the new framework will strengthen police efforts to keep roads safe.
“This is another positive step in delivering our road-safety strategy and targeting the key factors behind fatal crashes. The ability for police to screen for impairing drugs is a welcome addition to their enforcement toolbox,” Mitchell says.
Police will begin roadside screening for four key drugs — THC (cannabis), methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine — using new oral-fluid testing devices.
The rollout will begin in December in the Wellington district and scale up from April 2026, with nationwide coverage expected by mid-2026.
Under the regime, police will be able to stop any motor vehicle at any time to screen the driver for drugs. The first test will be a quick tongue swipe that takes only a few minutes. If it returns a positive result, officers will take a saliva sample for laboratory analysis.
While the roadside device detects four primary drugs, the laboratory will be able to test for up to 25 substances listed in the Act.
A second roadside screening test will then be carried out. If that test is positive, the driver will be banned from driving for 12 hours to address any immediate safety risk. An infringement notice will follow a positive laboratory result.
Drivers who refuse or fail to comply with a roadside drug test will also receive an infringement notice. Most drivers will be free to go within about five minutes once they return a negative result.
