Traffic laws are made to protect the safety of all road users. You can face penalties if you commit driving offences.
You can get demerit points for some traffic offences and for speeding infringements.
If you get a total of 100 or more demerit points within any 2-year period, you’ll be suspended from driving for 3 months. You must surrender your driver licence to Waka Kotahi.
Your photo driver licence will be permanently cancelled and you’ll remain unlicensed even after your suspension has ended. You’re not allowed to drive until you get a new licence at a driver licensing agent.
The courts deal very seriously with riders who ride carelessly, recklessly or dangerously.
Penalties may include:
Your licence will be suspended on the spot if:
A police officer will impound your vehicle on the spot if you’re caught:
To appeal the impoundment of your vehicle, you’ll need to contact the police.
Your vehicle will be impounded for 28 days and you’ll have court-imposed penalties for your offence.
28-day roadside vehicle impoundment
If you have unpaid traffic-related fines or reparation, your driver licence may be suspended by the Ministry of Justice under a DLSO. The suspension will remain until you contact the Ministry of Justice and pay or arrange to pay the outstanding amount. If you’re caught driving with a DLSO, the vehicle you’re driving could be impounded, even if it’s not yours, and you could be disqualified from driving.
For more information you can contact the Ministry of Justice on 0800 434 637 (0800 4 Fines) or visit justice.govt.nz(external link)
Driving efficiently can reduce the amount of fuel your vehicle uses and the pollution it emits. You should:
Basic maintenance will cut down the fuel your vehicle uses as well as reducing pollution. Make sure your vehicle is well-tuned and the tyres are correctly inflated.
