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Criminal & traffic law

Drink/drug driving

Drugs: Driving while affected by drugs or medicines

Driving while incapable of control because of drugs

Land Transport Act 1998, ss 12, 58(1)(a)

You’re not allowed to drive, or try to drive, while you’re under the influence of drugs so that you can’t properly control your vehicle.

For a first or second conviction, you can be jailed up to three months or fined up to $4,500, and you’ll be automatically disqualified for at least six months.

Driving while “impaired” by illegal drugs or medicines

Land Transport Act 1998, ss 11A, 57A

You must not drive, or try to drive, a vehicle while:

For a first or second conviction, you can be jailed up to three months or fined up to $4,500, and you’ll be automatically disqualified for at least six months.

“Qualifying drugs” include:

  • Class A drugs, such as heroin, LSD and methamphetamine (or “P”)
  • Class B drugs, such as amphetamines (speed), morphine and opium
  • some Class C drugs, such as cannabis and BZP (the psychoactive ingredient in most illegal “party pills”)
  • prescription medicines.

Driving after taking Class A drugs

Land Transport Act 1998, s 58(1)(b)

You’re not allowed to drive, or try to drive, if you’ve taken a Class A illegal drug (such as heroin, LSD or P), as shown by a subsequent blood test.

For a first or second conviction, you can be jailed up to three months or fined up to $4,500, and you’ll be automatically disqualified for at least six months.

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Driving and traffic law

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New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)

www.nzta.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 699 000
Email: info@nzta.govt.nz

The NZTA site provides a wide range of driving and road safety information, including on topics covered in this chapter.

You can read and download fact sheets and other publications from their site, or you can order hard copies by contacting them, including their fact-sheet on Legal mobile phone use while driving.

www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/Safety/docs/legal-mobile-phone-use-while-driving-fact-sheet-june-2020.pdf

NZ Police

Frequently Asked Questions

www.police.govt.nz/advice/faq

The “Driving/road safety” and “Tickets/infringements” section of this webpage have Frequently Asked Questions about traffic fines, speeding, demerit points and where you can pay your fines.

Consumer protection

“Parking, towing and clamping”

www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/parking-clamping-towing

This Consumer Protection webpage has information about the law covering tow trucks and wheel-clamping on public and private property, and about unreasonable fees in private car parks.

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