Health
Medical requirements for driving – In order to drive you must meet a minimum level of health. In some cases you need to provide a medical certificate. Also, check our specific articles for diabetes, head injury, epilepsy/fits, and eyesight.
Driving after taking medicine – Are you allowed to drive after taking medication? What should you ask your doctor?
Driving after taking illegal drugs – The three main types of drugs are those derived from hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants. All have a negative effect on your driving ability.
Signs you are driving drowsy – How to recognise if you’re sleepy at the wheel, what problems it can cause, and what to do about it.
Dehydration when driving – Dehydration is not only dangerous for the driver, but for passengers also. Find out the symptoms and risks of driving while dehydrated.
Driving
Tailgating – Tailgating is driving behind someone too closely. There is a recommended safe distance which varies with speed and is indicated by time: the two-second rule.
Improving gap selection – Gap selection is when you choose a gap in traffic to perform a manoeuvre. Here’s how to reduce the risk of an accident and select safe gaps.
Driving or riding in the dark – With longer nights you’re more likely to be driving in the dark, and it’s more likely to be colder. These tips will help keep you safe.
How far should you stop behind the car in front? – Should you stop really close so more cars can fit in the road, or quite far away? It depends.
How angling your wheels at an intersection can cause a crash – This video shows you why you shouldn’t sit with your wheels turned at an intersection.
How to drive through deep water – How do you assess whether you can drive through a flooded area? This article explains how to get your car through a flood.
Driving and riding in strong winds – Trucks, caravans and buses can blow over, and motorbikes can be blown into the path of other vehicles. Here are tips for riding in gusty winds.
Driving while using a mobile phone – Is talking to a passenger as distracting as talking to someone on a mobile phone? New research gives you the answer.
Skidding explained: oversteer, understeer, hydroplaning and wheelspin – Video showing how the different types of skids happen and can be reduced or controlled
Advanced overtaking – How advanced drivers overtake more safely and effectively.
Driving in snow – Heading to the mountains? Here’s what you need to know for driving in snow
Carrying goods
Transporting hazardous or dangerous goods in a truck or car – Rules and licence requirements for transporting dangerous goods commercially and recreationally.
Carrying loads on your motorbike – Rules, regulations and advice for safely transporting items that won’t fit in your vehicle.
Fuel economy
Should you stop your engine while waiting at a red light? – How much fuel can you save, and is it OK to do it even if your car is old?
How do traffic jams form? – Traffic jams on motorways start with a jamiton. Here’s how they form and how you can prevent traffic jams.
10 ways to improve fuel economy – It’s fairly simple to reduce your fuel consumption by 10-20%, saving you money.
Vehicle safety and technology
Tyre pressures in cold weather – Four factors affect tyre pressure: ambient temperature, tyre temperature, sun exposure and leakage. Here’s how to check it accurately.
Important dashboard warning lights – Do you know what the warning lights are in your car and whether you need to stop immediately or it’s safe to carry on a little further?
11 ways to stop your car being broken into – Taking these steps can deter thieves from breaking into your car and stealing it or things inside it.
Winter car safety checks – If you break down in winter it can be an unpleasant, and potentially deadly, wait, depending on the weather conditions.
Caring for your tyres – These small areas where the rubber meets the tarmac are what keeps your vehicle on the road. Their effectiveness is affected by the tyre pressure, compound, camber, heat, and tread depth, the wheel alignment and the surface of the road.
12 features you need to understand in your car
12 more features you need to understand in your car
Road rules
New Zealand give way rules – Visual examples of giving way at intersections, roundabouts and driveways.
School zone traffic rules – Variable speed limits during certain times in the school day help reduce injuries and improve drivers’ awareness of child pedestrians. Here are the fines for contravening the rules.
Where can you park, and for how long? – You don’t want to park in a place you’re not supposed to and get ticketed or, worse, towed. Where are the places you can and cannot park?
Pedestrian crossing rules – What are the different types of pedestrian crossings and pedestrian zones in New Zealand?
Miscellaneous
How to deal with your insurance company after an incident – After an accident, here is what you need to do including all information you should collect at the scene.
