Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Civil Aviation Act 1990

Aviation security

80H: Power to require drivers to stop vehicles in security enhanced areas for screening or searching

You could also call this:

"Airport security can ask drivers to stop for car checks in special areas"

If you're driving in a special security area at an airport, an aviation security officer might ask you to stop your car. You can tell it's an officer because they'll be wearing a uniform or a special hat with a badge.

When the officer signals you to stop, you need to do so as quickly as you can. The officer wants to check your car, anything inside it, and the people in it.

Once you've stopped, you need to stay stopped until the officer finishes checking. This might take a little while, but it's important to be patient.

If you don't stop when an officer asks you to, or if you don't stay stopped long enough for them to check everything, you might get in trouble. You could have to pay up to $1,000 as a fine.

If you end up in court because you didn't stop or stay stopped, it's up to you to explain why you had a good reason not to follow the officer's instructions.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1136022.

Topics:
Transport and travel > Air travel
Previous

80G: Searches of persons, or

"How airport security officers might search you to keep flying safe"

Next

80I: Protection of aviation security officers, or

"Law keeps aviation security officers safe from being sued for doing their job properly"

Part 8Aviation security

80HPower to require drivers to stop vehicles in security enhanced areas for screening or searching

  1. An aviation security officer who is in uniform, or wearing a distinctive cap, hat, or helmet, with a badge of authority affixed to it, may signal or request the driver of a vehicle in a security enhanced area to stop the vehicle as soon as is practicable for the purpose of screening or searching the vehicle, and any item, substance, or person in the vehicle.

  2. The driver of a vehicle that is stopped by an aviation security officer must remain stopped for as long as is reasonably necessary for the aviation security officer to screen or search the vehicle, and any item, substance, or person in the vehicle.

  3. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000, who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, fails to—

  4. stop a vehicle in a security enhanced area as soon as is practicable when required to do so by an aviation security officer; or
    1. remain stopped for as long as is reasonably necessary for the aviation security officer to screen or search the vehicle, and any item, substance, or person in the vehicle.

      1. In proceedings for an offence against subsection (3),—

      2. the prosecutor need not assert absence of lawful authority or reasonable excuse in the charging document; and
        1. the burden of proving that the defendant had lawful authority or a reasonable excuse lies on the defendant.

          Compare
          Notes
          • Section 80H: inserted, on , by section 14(2) of the Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 89).
          • Section 80H(3): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
          • Section 80H(4): inserted, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).