Roadside drug testing will be rolled out in the Wellington District from Monday as part of police's tough new screening regime.
Under the new system, police – using new oral-fluid testing devices – will be able to stop any motor vehicle to screen the driver for the presence of four key drugs.
The devices will screen for four drugs, including THC (cannabis), methamphetamine (meth), MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine.
Roadside drug testing will be introduced to other parts of the country from April 2026, with nationwide coverage expected mid-2026.
Director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally said similar to testing for alcohol levels, there are thresholds for each drug that are set to indicate the recent use of one or more drugs rather than historical use, passive exposure, or accidental ingestion which would be unlikely to cause impairment.
Alongside roadside drug testing, police will continue to use the behavioural test called a Compulsory Impairment Test (CIT) where police can assess a driver if they have good cause to suspect the driver is impaired by drugs.
Drivers who were prescribed medication to continue its use as directed by their health practitioner and consider any impairing effects it might cause.
"Ultimately, responsibility remains with drivers to consult their practitioner for medical advice," he said.
"If they are experiencing any impairing effects, they should not drive."
Greally said drivers would be unable to use a prescription or medical note at the roadside to prevent a test from being carried out or to dispute a positive saliva screening test result.
"If an infringement is issued after laboratory testing, drivers will have the ability to apply for medical defence if it is for a drug that has been prescribed to them."
Information on how to apply for a medical defence would be available on police's website from Monday.
"Those who refuse or fail to comply with a roadside drug screening test will be issued with an infringement notice that includes a $400 fine, 75 licence demerit points, as well as being forbidden to drive for 12 hours."
Greally continued: "The message is clear to drivers who blatantly drive impaired by drugs – don’t take drugs and drive.
"We’ve seen too often the devastating impact of fatal crashes due to drug driving and the flow on effects it has caused families and communities.
"If you intend to get behind the wheel after consuming impairing drugs, you will be caught."
How roadside drug testing works
Under the new regime, police will be able to stop any motor vehicle at any time to screen the driver for the presence of drugs.
The first roadside screening test will involve a quick tongue swipe, which will take several minutes. Most drivers who return a negative test result will be free to go within around five minutes.
If the test is positive, officers will take a saliva sample for laboratory analysis. While the roadside device detects four key drugs, the laboratory can test for up to 25 substances.
It will be followed by a second roadside screening test. If the test is positive, the driver will be prohibited from driving for 12 hours to address any immediate road-safety risk. Drivers who return a positive laboratory result will be issued an infringement notice.
Drivers who refuse or fail to comply with a roadside drug test will also be issued an infringement notice.
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