Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Land Transport Act 1998

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

54: Personation of enforcement officer

You could also call this:

“Pretending to be a traffic or dangerous goods officer is against the law”

If you pretend to be an enforcement officer or a dangerous goods enforcement officer when you’re not one, you’re breaking the law. This includes acting like you’re an officer, dressing up as one, or using their name or title. You can only do this if you have a good reason.

If you’re caught pretending to be an officer, you might have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.

This law doesn’t change the rules about impersonating police officers, which are covered in a different law called the Policing Act.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=DLM434688.

Previous

53: Obstruction of enforcement officer or dangerous goods enforcement officer, or

"Don't stop or block officers doing their job"

Next

55: Tampering with vehicle surveillance equipment or point-to-point average speed system, or

"Don't mess with speed cameras or road monitoring equipment"

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

54Personation of enforcement officer

  1. A person commits an offence if the person (other than an enforcement officer or a dangerous goods enforcement officer), without reasonable excuse, by words, conduct, or demeanour pretends to be an enforcement officer or a dangerous goods enforcement officer, or puts on or assumes the dress, name, designation, or description of an enforcement officer or dangerous goods enforcement officer.

  2. The maximum penalty on conviction for an offence against subsection (1) is a fine not exceeding $10,000.

  3. Subsection (1) does not affect section 48 of the Policing Act 2008.

Compare
Notes
  • Section 54(3): amended, on , by section 130(1) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).