Roadside drug testing is being rolled out nationwide across Aotearoa New Zealand by mid 2026.
The law allows Police to randomly test any driver. Police can stop drivers anywhere, anytime, and ask them to do a saliva (spit) test to check for recent use of 4 drugs:
- THC (from cannabis)
- methamphetamine (meth)
- MDMA (ecstasy), and
- cocaine.
Note: If you refuse to give a saliva sample, you'll be immediately barred from driving for 12 hours, and can be fined and given demerit points.
The roadside screening test takes about 10 minutes to give results.
If the first test is negative (no drugs are detected), you can drive away.
If the first test is positive (1 or more drugs are detected), you'll be asked to do a second test. If this also tests positive, you'll be banned from driving for 12 hours.
A saliva sample will be taken and sent to a lab where it's tested for a wider range of drugs (25 different 'qualifying drugs'). If they're found, you'll be sent an infringement offence notice, which carries demerit points and a fine.
Will my ADHD medication test positive?
If you take ADHD medicines such as dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine you may be concerned that they'll show up as methamphetamine on roadside drug tests. Police have said the roadside saliva devices do not pick up amphetamines, so these ADHD medicines shouldn't cause a positive roadside result.
If you test positive at the roadside for another drug, your saliva sample is then checked in a lab, where they can detect more types of substances, including ADHD medicines. If this happens and you get an infringement notice for a prescribed medication, you can apply for a medical defence through the Police website. A medical defence does NOT apply at the roadside.
The video below provides more information.
Video: Can ADHD medication affect roadside drug tests?
Read more about roadside drug testing and what you need to know.