A driver who crashed into oncoming traffic during an overtaking manoeuvre says the accident happened after the car he was overtaking would not let him pass.

Harijasdeep Singh Brar​, 22, was driving on State Highway 6 in Okaramio, near Blenheim, when he decided to overtake the car in front, about 4.25pm on August 6.

There were no yellow lines on the highway preventing Brar from overtaking, the weather was fine and the road was clear and dry, a police summary of facts said.

But when he pulled out into the oncoming lane, the car he was trying to overtake sped up towards the next car.

Instead of pulling back into his lane, Brar sped up to overtake both cars in front of him.

He was doing about 150kmh when his car began to fishtail, and crashed into an oncoming car, the summary said.

Both cars were severely damaged in the crash, but neither drivers were injured.

Brar pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.

His lawyer Laurie Murdoch said Brar's insurance company was waiting for a court decision before deciding whether to cover the cost of the damage.

Brar was a chef at a restaurant in Havelock, and his employers said in a letter to the court if he gained his first conviction they would have to fire him.

Immigration was also likely to reconsider Brar's work visa if the Indian national gained a conviction, Murdoch said, applying for a discharge without conviction.

"While we do not condone what he has done, we hope he can get out of this," Murdoch said.

"He's done everything possible to try make up for this."

Brar agreed to meet with the victim to try make amends through Restorative Justice, but the victim declined to take part.

He also did a defensive driving course.

"He apologised at the time, he obviously was shocked and not physically hurt, but shocked by the accident," Murdoch said.

"He has made a bad decision by driving and we all know New Zealand roads can be tricky, and once you commit to something you can feel like you have to follow through."

Brar had been in New Zealand since he trained as a chef several years ago, an opportunity hard to find back home in India, Murdoch said.

His dream was to own a restaurant in New Zealand.

Judge Bill Hastings said it was a miracle nobody was hurt in the crash.

Brar's co-operation with police and his attempts to make amends afterwards reduced the gravity of the crime, Judge Hastings said.

He would discharge Brar without a conviction upon receipt of a $500 donation to the Red Cross, Judge Hastings said.

"They have a great deal to do with injuries and that type of thing, but they also spend some of their time and resources on refugees.

"I know you're not a refugee, but you know what it's like for people from other countries, given you're from India, so I think that would be an appropriate charity."

Judge Hastings also disqualified Brar from driving for six months.