Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Land Transport Act 1998

Additional responsibilities concerning road transport

22A: Persons not to engage in unauthorised street or drag racing, or other related prohibited activities on roads

You could also call this:

“Don't race cars or show off on roads without permission”

You must not race a motor vehicle or show off its speed on a road unless the law allows it. This means you can’t drive in a way that’s just to show how fast your car can go.

You’re not allowed to put petrol, oil, diesel, or anything else that could make a car slip on the road. You need a good reason if you do this by accident.

You can’t make your car’s wheels spin on purpose for a long time on the road unless the law says it’s okay. This is called losing traction.

You also can’t drive in a way that goes against local rules made for your area.

It’s okay to drive fast or race if you’re following the speed limit and all other driving rules. It’s also allowed if the road is closed for an event and you follow the rules for that event. There might be other times when the law says it’s okay too.

Remember, these rules are to keep everyone safe on the roads.

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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=DLM434542.

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Part 3 Additional responsibilities concerning road transport

22APersons not to engage in unauthorised street or drag racing, or other related prohibited activities on roads

  1. A person must not operate a motor vehicle in a race, or in an unnecessary exhibition of speed or acceleration, on a road unless the operation of the vehicle in that manner is authorised by law.

  2. A person must not, without reasonable excuse, intentionally pour onto, place on, or allow to spill onto a road—

  3. any petrol, oil, or diesel fuel; or
    1. any other substance likely to cause a vehicle to undergo loss of traction.

      1. A person must not, without reasonable excuse, operate a motor vehicle on a road in a manner that causes the vehicle to undergo sustained loss of traction unless the operation of the vehicle in that manner is authorised by law.

      2. A person may not, without reasonable excuse, operate a motor vehicle on a road in a manner that contravenes a bylaw made under section 22AB or 22AC.

      3. In this section and in section 96(9), the operation of a motor vehicle in a particular manner is authorised by law if,—

      4. in the case of a race or an exhibition of speed or acceleration,—
        1. the speed of the vehicle is within the applicable speed limit or speed limits; and
          1. the vehicle operator does not contravene any enactment other than this section that applies in relation to the operation of the vehicle; or
          2. the operation is conducted on a road that is closed for the purpose under section 319(h) or section 342 of the Local Government Act 1974, and is conducted in accordance with the conditions (if any) imposed under Schedule 10 of that Act; or
            1. the operation is otherwise authorised by or under an enactment other than this section.

              Notes
              • Section 22A: inserted, on , by section 5 of the Land Transport (Unauthorised Street and Drag Racing) Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 11).
              • Section 22A(3A): inserted, on , by section 7 of the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Act 2009 (2009 No 36).