Police have started roadside drug driving tests in Wellington this afternoon, the first step in a phased rollout that will expand nationally from April 2026.

Officers are using the Securetec DrugWipe 3 S to screen drivers’ saliva for four drugs — THC (cannabis), methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. A positive result triggers a saliva collection for laboratory analysis, where 25 impairing substances will be tested. Police say infringement penalties will only be issued if the lab confirms the presence of drugs.

Anyone who returns a positive roadside result and provides a sample will be asked to do a second screening test at the roadside. Two positive roadside tests will see a driver banned from driving for 12 hours to address immediate safety risks.

“The introduction of roadside drug testing is a significant change that aims to address a serious issue occurring on New Zealand roads,” Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing, said. “Today’s go-live holds a clear message to those who get behind the wheel after consuming impairing drugs: you will be caught.”

Police plan to use the coming months to evaluate processes, gather feedback and refine operations before scaling up to a national level from April 2026. The move follows a period of increasing positive drug tests among drivers, according to Police, and is intended to both detect and deter drug-impaired driving over the summer and beyond.