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Land Transport Act 1998

Offences relating to driving (other than alcohol- and drug-related offences) and penalties - Offences relating to driver licensing

31: Contravention of section 5(1)(a) or (b) or (4) or 30(2), (3), (3A), (4A), or (4B)

You could also call this:

“Penalties for driving without a proper licence or not following licence rules”

You can get in trouble if you do certain things related to driving. Here’s what you need to know:

If you drive a car on the road with an expired licence or without the right kind of licence, you’re breaking the law. You also can’t drive if you’re not following the rules on your licence.

When a police officer asks to see your licence, you need to show it to them right away. If you don’t, you could be in trouble.

Sometimes, you might be told to give up your licence. This could be to the transport agency, someone they’ve chosen, a court, a police officer, or a traffic officer. It could also be to someone who works for the courts. If you don’t give it to them when they ask, you’re breaking the law.

If you do any of these things, you might have to pay a fine. The most you could be fined is $1,000.

Remember, it’s important to follow these rules to stay safe and avoid getting into trouble when you’re driving or dealing with your licence.

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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=DLM434636.

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32: Contravention of section 5(1)(c), or

"Breaking the rules about driving when you're not allowed to"

Part 5 Offences relating to driving (other than alcohol- and drug-related offences) and penalties
Offences relating to driver licensing

31Contravention of section 5(1)(a) or (b) or (4) or 30(2), (3), (3A), (4A), or (4B)

  1. A person commits an offence if the person—

  2. drives a motor vehicle on a road—
    1. with an expired driver licence; or
      1. without an appropriate driver licence; or
      2. drives a motor vehicle contrary to the conditions of his or her driver licence; or
        1. is the driver of a motor vehicle and fails to produce his or her driver licence for inspection without delay after being required to do so by an enforcement officer; or
          1. fails to surrender or return his or her driver licence to—
            1. the Agency, a person appointed by the Agency, a court, a constable, or an enforcement officer when required to do so by section 30(2), (3), (3A), or (4A):
              1. an employee or agent of the Ministry of Justice, or an enforcement officer, when required to do so by section 30(4B)(b).

              2. The maximum penalty on conviction for an offence against subsection (1) is a fine not exceeding $1,000.

              Compare
              Notes
              • Section 31 heading: amended, on , by section 148(1) of the Courts Matters Act 2018 (2018 No 50).
              • Section 31(1)(a): substituted, on , by section 20(2) of the Land Transport Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 77).
              • Section 31(1)(d): replaced, on , by section 148(2) of the Courts Matters Act 2018 (2018 No 50).