Charged With Drink-Driving on the West Coast? Here's What Happens Next.
A drink-driving charge — driving with excess breath or blood alcohol — is one of the most common reasons people from Greymouth, Hokitika, Westport and across the Coast end up in front of a judge. The law is the same right across New Zealand, set out in the Land Transport Act 1998, but for you it plays out close to home: almost every West Coast charge is heard at the Greymouth (Māwhera) District Court on Guinness Street. You don't have to face it confused. This page explains, in plain English, what you've actually been charged with, the real penalties, and where to get free legal help on the Coast. This is general legal information, not legal advice, and it doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across West Coast.
Drink Driving in West Coast — what to do right now
Do this first: read your summons carefully and note your court date — your first appearance will almost certainly be at the Greymouth District Court, 60 Guinness Street, Greymouth. You must attend. Before that date, get advice: if you cannot afford a lawyer you can apply for criminal legal aid (apply as soon as you are charged, do not wait for the first hearing), and there is a free duty lawyer at the District Court on the day. Community Law Canterbury runs a free clinic in Greymouth, and a drink-driving conviction carries a mandatory minimum disqualification of 6 months, so getting early advice genuinely matters. Don't just turn up and plead — understand your options first.
The law in West Coast: Drink Driving
Drink-driving in New Zealand is governed by section 56 of the Land Transport Act 1998. There is no separate "West Coast" law — the offence, the limits and the penalties are identical nationwide; what's local is where your case is heard and who can help you. For an adult driver (20 and over), the legal limits are 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath and 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. These lower limits came into force on 1 December 2014, replacing the old 400-microgram breath limit.The law splits into two bands. If your evidential breath test reads between 251 and 400 micrograms (or blood between 51 and 80mg), that is an infringement offence under s56(1A): a $200 infringement fee and 50 demerit points, but no criminal conviction and no court appearance. If your reading is over 400 micrograms of breath (or over 80mg of blood), that is the criminal offence under s56(2) — this is what brings you to the Greymouth District Court, where it will be recorded as a conviction and the judge must disqualify you from driving.
Drivers under 20 face a zero-alcohol limit. Any reading at all puts a young driver into an infringement (low readings) or criminal (higher readings) band. There is also a separate "driving under the influence" offence — being so affected by alcohol that you cannot properly control the vehicle, regardless of the exact reading.
Two further rules catch many people out. First, since 1 July 2018 an alcohol interlock sentence is mandatory for high-level and repeat offenders — broadly, anyone caught at or over 800 micrograms of breath (or 160mg of blood), or with a drink-drive conviction in the previous five years. The judge must order an interlock licence, and you stay on the programme for at least 12 months before you can apply to exit. Second, refusing or failing to give a blood or breath specimen when lawfully required is itself a serious offence carrying penalties similar to a high-reading drink-drive charge — refusing the test is not a safe way out.
Key Law
- Land Transport Act 1998, s56(2) — driving with excess breath alcohol (over 400mcg) or excess blood alcohol (over 80mg): the criminal offence heard in the District Court
- Land Transport Act 1998, s56(1A) — the infringement band (251–400mcg breath / 51–80mg blood): $200 fee + 50 demerit points, no conviction
- Adult limits — 250 micrograms per litre of breath / 50 milligrams per 100ml of blood (in force since 1 December 2014)
- Zero limit for drivers under 20 — any alcohol reading is an offence
- Land Transport Act 1998, s57AA — breaching the limit while on an alcohol interlock or zero-alcohol licence is a further offence
Where Your Case Is Heard
- Greymouth (Māwhera) District Court, 60 Guinness Street, Greymouth — the criminal drink-drive charge and sentencing for the West Coast region
- High Court (Greymouth registry) — only the most serious matters or appeals escalate here
- NZ Police — lay the charge and run the evidential breath/blood testing
- NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi — administers disqualifications, demerit points, and the alcohol interlock / zero-alcohol licence programmes
Penalties That Catch People Out
- 🚨 6-month minimum disqualification — the court MUST disqualify you for at least 6 months on a first criminal drink-drive conviction
- Up to 3 months' imprisonment or a fine up to $4,500 on a first criminal offence
- Mandatory alcohol interlock — automatic for a reading at/over 800mcg breath (160mg blood) or a repeat within 5 years
- A criminal conviction that shows on a record check — affecting jobs, travel and insurance
- 50 demerit points even in the no-conviction infringement band — 100 points in two years suspends your licence
The 6-Month Disqualification Most People Don't See Coming
Here's what blindsides many West Coast drivers: if your reading is over the criminal threshold, a 6-month disqualification is not a maximum the judge might impose — it is a mandatory minimum the judge must impose on conviction. People plan their plea around the fine or the small chance of jail and forget that losing their licence for at least half a year is the near-certain outcome. On the Coast, where distances are long and public transport is thin, that can mean losing your job or your ability to get to work, the doctor or your kids' school. That is exactly why getting advice before your Greymouth court date matters — there may be options (an alcohol interlock licence, the timing and structure of your plea) that change how badly this lands. Free help is available; our free phone line on 0800 461 100 and the local Community Law clinic are good places to start.
Likely outcomes & penalties
Every drink-drive case turns on its own facts — your reading, whether it's a first or repeat offence, whether anyone was hurt, and your personal circumstances. These are the statutory ranges under the Land Transport Act 1998, not predictions about your case.Mistakes to avoid
How it works
Free & low-cost Drink Driving help in West Coast
If you can't afford a private lawyer, these New Zealand services can help with a drink-driving charge on the West Coast — for free. Legal aid covers your defence if you qualify on income; the duty lawyer and Community Law give free guidance. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and does not provide these services — we point you to them and give general information, not legal advice.
FAQ — Drink Driving in West Coast
I've been charged with drink-driving on the West Coast — which court will I go to?
Almost certainly the Greymouth (Māwhera) District Court at 60 Guinness Street, Greymouth, which handles criminal matters for the West Coast region. Your summons will state the date and time — you must attend. There's a free duty lawyer at the court who can give you advice on the day before you appear.
What's the legal alcohol limit for driving in New Zealand?
For adult drivers (20 and over) the limit is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. These lower limits have applied since 1 December 2014. For drivers under 20 the limit is zero — any alcohol at all is an offence.
What's the difference between an infringement and a criminal drink-driving charge?
If your breath reading is between 251 and 400 micrograms (blood 51–80mg), it's an infringement — a $200 fee and 50 demerit points, but no conviction and no court. Over 400 micrograms of breath (or 80mg of blood) is the criminal offence under section 56 of the Land Transport Act 1998, which brings you before the Greymouth District Court and a likely conviction and disqualification.
Will I lose my licence for a first drink-driving offence?
If you're convicted of the criminal offence (over 400mcg breath / 80mg blood), yes — the court must disqualify you for a minimum of 6 months. It is a mandatory minimum, not a maximum, so a disqualification is the near-certain outcome of a conviction. This is exactly why getting advice before your court date matters.
What are the penalties for a first criminal drink-driving conviction?
Up to 3 months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $4,500, plus the mandatory minimum 6-month disqualification. Most first offenders are fined rather than jailed, but the conviction and licence loss are the parts that bite. Your exact outcome depends on your reading and circumstances.
What happens if my reading was very high?
If your breath reading is at or over 800 micrograms (160mg of blood), or you've had a drink-drive conviction in the last five years, the judge must order an alcohol interlock sentence. You drive only a vehicle fitted with an interlock device for at least 12 months before you can apply to move to a zero-alcohol licence.
I refused the breath test — is that better than blowing over?
No. Refusing or failing to give a breath or blood specimen when lawfully required is its own serious offence, carrying penalties similar to a high-reading drink-drive charge — including a minimum 6-month disqualification. Refusing the test does not help you avoid the consequences.
Can I get free legal help on the West Coast?
Yes. There's a free duty lawyer at the Greymouth District Court on hearing days, Community Law Canterbury runs a free clinic in Greymouth (1st and 3rd Tuesday, by appointment), and you may qualify for criminal legal aid. The Citizens Advice Bureau (0800 367 222) can also point you in the right direction.
Should I just plead guilty at my first court appearance?
Not without advice. The first appearance is your chance to understand the charge, the evidence and your options — and you can ask for time to get a lawyer. Talk to the free duty lawyer at the court or Community Law first. A rushed guilty plea can lock in consequences, like the length of your disqualification, that you might have been able to address.
How do I apply for legal aid for a drink-driving charge?
Apply as soon as you're charged — don't wait for your first hearing. Whether you qualify depends on your income, your assets and the charge. You can get the application form and free help to fill it in from the Greymouth court duty lawyer, a local legal aid office, or Community Law Canterbury.
Is this page legal advice?
No. This is general legal information to help you understand a drink-driving charge on the West Coast and where to get help. It is not legal advice and it doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, speak to the free duty lawyer, Community Law, or your own lawyer.
Are you a West Coast lawyer who handles drink-driving cases? Join our network.
We connect West Coast drivers facing a drink-driving charge at the Greymouth District Court with local lawyers who can help. If you're a New Zealand-qualified lawyer who handles drink-driving and traffic matters on the Coast, we'd like to send ready-to-consult clients your way. This is a referral path for vetted lawyers, separate from the free information above. Reach out to learn how to join.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Sources & further reading
- Land Transport Act 1998, s56 — New Zealand Legislation
- Alcohol: the drink-driving offences — Community Law
- Alcohol interlock & zero-alcohol licences — NZTA Waka Kotahi
- Greymouth (Māwhera) District Court — Ministry of Justice
- Can I get criminal legal aid? — Ministry of Justice
- Community Law Canterbury & West Coast
Facing a drink-driving charge on the Coast? Get clear, free information.
A drink-driving charge can feel overwhelming, but the law is clear and there is free help close to home. Your case will be heard at the Greymouth District Court, the penalties under the Land Transport Act 1998 are set ranges, and a free duty lawyer and the local Community Law clinic are there to help before you ever stand up in front of a judge. Call our free, plain-English phone line for New Zealand on 0800 461 100, any hour, and use the local resources on this page too. This is general legal information, not legal advice, and it doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.