If you have outstanding traffic related fines or reparation, the Ministry of Justice may impose a driver licence stop order (DLSO) and suspend your driver licence.
Once you have been served with a DLSO your licence is suspended for an indefinite period and you are not entitled to hold or obtain a driver licence.
This means that you cannot drive using your New Zealand licence (including a limited licence) or any overseas licence you may have until the DLSO has been ended and your licence record is shown as current on the Driver Licence Register.
The Transport Agency cannot end or remove a DLSO – this can only be done by the Ministry of Justice.
If you have a DLSO suspension and you are stopped by the police at the side of the road, you are subject to the same penalties that would apply if you were suspended or disqualified for any other reason.
You will need to contact the Ministry of Justice to pay the fines or to make an arrangement to pay before the DLSO can be ended.
The Ministry of Justice can be contacted at 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) or visit their website.
Go to the Ministry of Justice website(external link)
Download Factsheet 55: Driving offences and penalties [PDF, 261 KB]
