Dan Carter opens up about drink-driving charge

Dan Carter. Photo / INPHO/James Crombie

Former All Black matchwinner Dan Carter has revealed his regret over his drink-driving arrest in Paris.

Carter addressed the costly charge for the first time today on TVNZ's Breakfast show.

He told host Jack Tame he has "obviously learned a good lesson earlier in the year with the mistake that I made".

"It puts everything into perspective and the things that are important to you in life," said Carter, who now plays for glamour French club Racing 92.

"Your family and friends are the people that really stick by you and I have learned a lot from that incident and also all the other things going on at the club with the merger, players coming and going.

"It was a pretty crazy season and probably the most dramatic season that I've been a part of in my 15 years of playing the game."

Police stopped Carter in Paris in February near the Champs-Elysees. He registered an alcohol limit of .98g/l, well above the authorised limit of .5g/l. Police said he was also speeding and not carrying his driver's licence.

Carter apologised on social media but has not spoken about it since.

"No excuses - I made a massive error of judgment and have let down my club, my fans and most importantly my family," he posted at the time on Facebook.

Sponsor Land Rover dropped Carter as a brand ambassador after his arrest.