Tourist and visitor advice: Driving in New Zealand

What you need to know as a tourist to help prevent road accidents

• New Zealand has AWESOME roads, but they’re dangerous, too
• 2% of NZ’s road fatalities are caused by tourists
• Do your bit by learning the Road Code – we’ll show you what you need

The correct side of the road: left

• Ask a New Zealander and they’ll say we drive on the ‘lift’
• It’s just like the UK, Australia and Japan
• Take extra care pulling out of junctions
• Look for arrows on the road

Sheep and cows…lots of them

• We’re famous for it
• In some places, livestock will be on the road
• Take care and follow farmers’ directions
• Don’t sound your horn

Some roads are a beach to drive on

• There are some public roads along beaches
• Check your rental car agreement to see if you’re allowed to drive there
• Don’t get caught by the tide!

Keep your licence with you

• You must carry your licence at all times while you are driving
• You might need an International Driving Permit – check on the New Zealand Transport Agency’s website at nzta.govt.nz

Giving way at intersections

• In general, if you are turning, give way to all vehicles that aren’t turning
• Give way to your right on roundabouts and drive clockwise around them

Speed limits past school buses

• If a school bus is stopped and picking up or setting down passengers, the limit past it is 20kph
• Don’t get caught out – your car could be impounded

The weather can change quickly

• Intense storms can cause flash floods
• Rural roads can suffer washouts and landslips

Red means stop

• You’re not allowed to turn at an intersection unless you have a green light
• There’s no free turn on a red light
• When turning, give way to pedestrians

Dial a line for a fine

• It’s illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving – there are fines
• You can use a hands-free phone kit to make or receive calls
• It’s illegal at all times to read or write text (SMS) messages while driving
• Try hiring a car with a Bluetooth or USB smartphone connection

What are the speed limits?

• Generally 100kph (62mph) on rural roads and motorways
• Generally 50kph (31mph) in towns and cities
• 100kph applies, but the road will be challenging – use appropriate speeds

Belt up

• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a safety belt
• Children up to the age of 7 must be in an approved child seat
• Motorbike riders must wear a helmet

Getting boozed or high?

• There are strict fines in NZ for drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs
• Take care on wine tours – it’s best not to drink (or do drugs) if you are driving
• Alcohol limits are 50mg/100ml for drivers aged 20 and over; there’s a zero tolerance for drivers under 20.

Overtaking and lane discipline

• NZ has a lot of narrow rural roads and not many motorways
• A yellow line on your side of the centre line means you must not overtake

Parking

• Clearways and dashed yellow lines mean no parking
• Blue P signs show you where you can park and for how long

One-lane bridges

• Back in the day, New Zealand couldn’t afford to build two-lane bridges over all the rural streams and rivers. We still can’t
• You have priority if you see the sign on the right

Railways with no gates or alarms

• Only half of our 1500 rail crossings have barrier arms and/or alarms/bells
• Always check the track before crossing

And a bit more….

• There’s more you should know to be safe on New Zealand’s roads
• The quickest way to learn is with our free tourist Road Code quizzes as recommended by Tourism NZ, the Tourism Industry Association of NZ and many car rental companies – click here to try it out.