DRUG drivers are being taken off the roads more expeditiously under a new project being trialled in Wangaratta that could be rolled out across Victoria.

Wangaratta Highway Patrol (WHP) members have, for the past month, removed a significant number of drug drivers by issuing them with an on the spot $495 infringement, rather than having to wait for a toxicology certificate before issuing the penalty notice.

And there is also a permanent increase to the imposed driving ban that applies to offending drivers, for a minimum of 12 hours and up to 24 hours.