Philip Matthews said he was returning home from a weekend at Southern Naturally, which bills itself as the world’s southernmost nudist club, when he was pulled over by police on his way into Mataura.
The officer, accompanied by a camera crew for the TV show Highway Cops, was surprised to find Mr Matthews was only wearing a pair of shorts and asked him where his shirt was.
"I said I just normally drive naked," Mr Matthews said.
The police officer agreed that nude driving was allowed, but said it was frowned upon.
Mr Matthews had only been wearing shorts because he was heading into town, and had not bothered putting on a shirt.
"I am, deep down, a naturist," he said.
Mr Matthews enjoyed the sense of freedom associated with the lifestyle, which he had been practising for about 20 years.
"We just feel happy to be clothes-free - it's perfectly natural, you’re born that way and there's nothing wrong with it," Mr Matthews said.
The incident happened over a year ago, but the publicity he had got since an ad for his segment went live had been unbelievable.
Many people, including an aunt who asked him what he had done, had got in touch after recognising him on TV.
He did not hold a grudge against Highway Cops and believed the show was there for a purpose.
Naturism was different from exhibitionist activities, such as streaking at sports games, and naturists tended to do normal everyday things while nude, from mowing lawns to house painting or exercising.
"Everything you do with clothes, I can do without clothes," Mr Matthews said.
Advantages to naturism included not having to do as much laundry, and he encouraged people to give it a go.
"There’s no judgement on what shape, size or colour you are, what age or anything - because when you’ve got your clothes off you’re all the same, and that’s probably one of the best things."
Anyone interested in the lifestyle should visit a free beach to try it out, he said.
