Police have issued seven infringements after conducting more than 300 roadside drug-driving screening tests across the Wellington region since mid-December.

Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing, said feedback from the public and frontline staff has been “positive and valuable,” and the early operational insights will feed into a national rollout beginning in April. Police expect to be testing across the country by mid-2026.

Testing is ongoing across Kapiti, Porirua, Wellington City, the Hutt Valley, and through to Masterton. As of 18 February, seven infringements had been issued from the Wellington phase.

Police also clarified that drivers cannot rely on a prescription or medical note at the roadside to avoid a saliva test or to dispute a positive screening result.

“The message is still the same for drivers who drive impaired by drugs – don’t take drugs and drive,” Superintendent Greally said. “You need to know what you are taking and how it might affect driving and any period of time where it is unsafe to drive. If you intend to get behind the wheel after consuming impairing drugs, you will be caught.”