Sergeant Peter Freeman said police officers observed a Toyota sedan without number plates swerving over the road in Brown Street at 12.55am and intercepted the driver in French Street.

The 26-year-old driver only had a learner's permit and the other passenger in the car was an international visitor who did not hold a full licence.

The driver later recorded a blood alcohol reading of .139 at the Hamilton police station.

Sergeant Freeman said the driver's learner permit was immediately suspended and the 26-year-old would be charged on summons with being a learner driver without an experienced driver, driving an unregistered vehicle and drink driving.

"Police are very disappointed that people still have not got the message about drink driving," he said.

"People are continuing to drive under the influence of alcohol. It's very frustrating that the message is just not getting through."