Police, courts and local authorities will have greater powers to crack down on illegal street racing with two new laws coming into force at midnight tonight.

Street racers caught in the act will lose their licences and vehicles sooner because of the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Act and the Sentencing (Vehicle Confiscation) Amendment Act.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said dangerous, disruptive and antisocial behaviour associated with illegal street racing would not be tolerated.

"While previous law allowed for vehicles to be confiscated, the actual rate of confiscation was less that 2 percent. These new laws will close loopholes in existing laws that allow illegal street races to avoid penalty.

"Targeting the things these offenders value the most -- their licence and their car -- is expected to be much more effective deterrent than fines."

The Land Transport Act will allow local authorities to create bylaws that prevent vehicles from repeatedly "cruising" city streets; allow compulsory impoundment of vehicles; and introduce demerit points for noise offences, licence breaches and registration plate offences.

The Sentencing Amendment Act will allow vehicles to be seized or destroyed as a penalty; allow vehicles to be seized and sold to pay people's overdue fines; and enable police and courts to target illegal street racers who commit offences in another person's vehicle.

Police Minister Judith Collins said police would actively be focusing on illegal street racing .

"Police will be paying particular attention to offences involving public disorder, dangerous behaviour on our roads and excessive noise.

"The message to illegal street races is that their behaviour will no longer be tolerated and that the police and courts now have the authority to take their vehicles off the road permanently."