Blog

ROAD SIDE Drug Testing Explained in Simple Terms

  • This change represents a major shift: for the first time, Police will be able to do random roadside drug tests without needing to suspect drug use.
  • It aims to improve road safety, given that drug-impaired driving contributes significantly to road fatalities (recently quoted at ~30% of fatal crashes).
  • The two-test requirement at the roadside helps mitigate errors in the screening devices, increasing fairness.
  • It balances enforcement with legal protections, such as allowing drivers to contest lab results or use a medical defence where relevant.

How the December 2025 Roadside Drug Screening Will Work

  1. Oral Fluid (Saliva) Screening at the Roadside
    • Police will be able to stop any driver and carry out an oral fluid screening test, similar to how breath-alcohol tests work.
    • The screening test is done using a quick “DrugWipe 3S” device that detects whether certain drugs are present in a driver’s saliva
    • The first screen tests for four key drugs: THC (cannabis), cocaine, methamphetamine (“meth”), and MDMA (ecstasy).
  2. If the First Test Is Positive
    • If the first screening returns a positive (Unconfirmed/Not-Negative) result, the officer will:
      a) Take another oral fluid (saliva) sample from the driver for lab testing.
    • b) Conduct a second roadside screening test using approved screening device.
    • If both screening tests are positive, the driver is prohibited from driving for 12 hours immediately, to mitigate short-term safety risk.
  3. Laboratory Analysis
    • The saliva sample collected is sent to an approved laboratory for further analysis- The New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science
    • The lab will test for a broader list — could be up to 25 “qualifying drugs”, not just the four screened at the roadside to capture any other new psychoactive substances are getting used in NZ.
    • Only after a positive lab test will an infringement notice (fine + demerit points) be issued.
  4. Refusing the Test
    • If a driver refuses to undergo the roadside screening (or refuses to give a saliva sample), they can be issued an infringement penalty.
    • The Bill also allows for demerit points on refusal.
  5. Medical Defence
    • There is a medical defence: drivers who can prove they were using prescription medication in accordance with a valid prescription have protection under the law.
    • However, this defence is not applied at the roadside. In other words, even if you have a prescription, two positive screens at the road may still trigger the 12-hour stand-down, before lab results.
  6. Legislative Basis
    • The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill / Act provides the legal framework. New Zealand Legislation
    • The Bill introduces new criteria for device approval, recognising that screening devices are imperfect (they may give false positives/negatives), so the law requires two positive screens to reduce risk. NZ police announced on 15th November 2025 that the preferred choice for road side testing is DrugWipe 3S
    • The Act also amends presumptions: when an approved analyst confirms a drug in a lab test, it’s conclusively presumed (for infringement offence) that the oral fluid sample contains that drug.
  7. Rollout Timeline
    • The first pilot or rollout begins in Wellington in December 2025.
    • The plan is to scale up further from April 2026, with nationwide coverage expected by mid-2026.
    • Police are expected to conduct ~50,000 oral fluid tests per year under the new regime.

For over 13 years, Advance Diagnostics has proudly partnered with Pathtech Pty Ltd to supply New Zealand workplaces with the DrugWipe 5S and DrugWipe 6S devices, that uses the same technology as DrugWipe which will be used by NZ Police. As the sole NZ distributor, we provide organisations with access to screening technology that has undergone extensive validation and is trusted in frontline enforcement.
Whether you’re seeking independent third-party testing or looking to establish robust in-house screening programmes, our team is here to support you with tools that are accurate, defensible and aligned with best practice.
If your workplace wants the confidence that comes with evidence-based screening, we’re here to help.

The image used in this artilcle is that of DrugWipe5S that is used in workplaces. Similar Technolgy

Contact us or call us to talk to our friendly team.