15 Tips For Staying Safe On New Zealand Roads

If you’re going to be driving in New Zealand for the first time these tips will help you understand our driving rules and have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Am I Allowed To Drive In New Zealand?

You are allowed to drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with a valid driver’s licence from another country, or an international driving permit. If your license is in a language other than English, you will need to carry an English translation from one of these places:

Your country’s embassy, consulate, or high commission in New Zealand.
Your local licensing authority in your home country.
An authorised New Zealand translation service.

If you plan to stay for longer than one year, you will need to apply for a New Zealand driver’s licence.

What Speed Should I Drive At?

In New Zealand, speed limits are normally clearly posted by the road side.

It is important to respect speed limits. Driving even a few kilometres over the limit is not only dangerous, but will result in a nasty fine and in extreme cases, being suspended from driving in New Zealand entirely.

NZ speed limits are:

Maximum on open roads and highways: 100 km/h. (If you’re in a 6 berth campervan, this limit is 90 km/h.)
Maximum in towns or built up areas: 50 km/h
Otherwise as posted.

New Zealand also uses speed cameras to catch speeding drivers. These cameras are often hidden, so you never know when you might get caught if you do break the speed limit.

Not only is it important that you do not exceed the speed limits, but you should also drive according to the road and the driving conditions. (see below)

Always Keep Left!

In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road. This might be strange at first, and may take a bit of getting used to.

Remember: In New Zealand, always drive on the left side of the road.

Make it Click

Seatbelts save lives. You and your passengers must wear seatbelts all the time when you are driving. Police officers often check cars to make sure that everyone is wearing a seatbelt, and the driver is fined if anyone is not wearing their seatbelt.

ALWAYS wear your seatbelt.

Don’t Drink Then Drive

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only dangerous, it illegal. If you are going to be drinking alcohol, do not drive. Police officers often stop cars and breath test the driver to see if they have been drinking. If you are caught driving after you have been drinking you will be arrested.

For adults, the legal limit is no more than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100mls of blood. For those under 20, the limit is much lower, just 30 miligrams per 100 mls. This means that people under 20 should never drink anything before they drive, and those over 20 should limit alcohol severely.

Like we say in New Zealand: If you drink and drive, you’re a bloody idiot.

Coming To A Crossroads

Many accidents happen at intersections. Use these rules to stay safe:

Give way to vehicles coming from the right.
Give way to vehicles not turning if you are turning.
If there is a stop sign you must come to a complete stop and wait for other vehicles even if you would normally have the right of way at other times.
There is no left turn on a red light.

Overtaking

You can normally overtake other vehicles on the road as long you can see that there is plenty of space for you to overtake and you can overtake without breaking the speed limit.

Sometimes you will see yellow lines painted on the road along with the white centre line. Here’s what these lines mean:

A yellow line on your side of the white centre line means you are not allowed to overtake cars on your side of the road, but vehicles coming in the opposite direction may still overtake.
A yellow line on the other side of the white line means that you can overtake, but vehicles coming in the opposite direction are not allowed to overtake.
Double yellow lines mean no overtaking is permitted in either direction.

NOTE: Small country roads may not have road markings at all. Use your best judgement in these situations.

Mind The Edge

In many scenic and hilly regions of New Zealand there are no barriers to stop your vehicle from falling off the side of the road. Though these roads might look dangerous they are safe if you follow the speed recommendations posted on the yellow signs.

Single Lane Bridges

New Zealand has some bridges where two lanes of opposing traffic merge into one. This can be a problem when vehicles travelling in opposite directions come to a one lane bridge at the same time.

Who goes first? Just follow the signs:

A rectangular blue sign with a large white arrow and small red arrow indicates that you have right of way across the bridge.

A round white sign with red border and a large black arrow and small red arrow indicates that you should give way to other traffic approaching the bridge.

Watch Out For Kids

In some places children may be playing near or on the road. Be careful near schools, near school busses, and between 3 and 4 pm when children are often just getting out of school. You should also be careful in rural areas, where children may be riding bikes or playing along the sides of the road.

Be Aware Of Other Drivers

On many winding roads traffic can start to build up behind relatively slow moving campervans and other large vehicles which are not legally allowed to travel at 100 km/h.. If you are driving a motorhome, pull over to allow other cars to pass where possible. Enjoy your holiday at a safe pace, and let others enjoy theirs.

Drive To The Conditions

New Zealand is a country that often experiences ‘four seasons in one day’. Rain makes roads more dangerous, as do frost and ice. The effects of bad weather are much more evident if you are driving a large vehicle like a motorhome, so take your time and slow down when you encounter bad weather.

Get Your Sleep

Driving when you are tired is no fun, and it is dangerous too.

If you begin to feel tired while driving, pull over in a rest area (there are many spaced out along stretches of New Zealand highways), or to the side of the road, and get some sleep.

Keep Your Cool

If all else fails, relax. Being calm is the best way to be safe on the roads. Road rage can be an issue in New Zealand, just like any other country. As we mentioned before, campervans can frustrate other drivers because they are slower and larger than cars. If in doubt, pull over and let others overtake.

Join The AA

The Automobile Association of New Zealand offers 24/7 road side assistance. Many rental campervans and rental cars come with this service included in the cost of hire, so inquire before making a booking. This sort of assistance is very useful if you break down.

Finally: Enjoy

New Zealand has some unique road conditions that you may not be accustomed to in your own country. Much like the beautiful scenery, our roads can sometimes be wild and untamed, especially if you’re an adventurous type who likes to get off the beaten track. Following these tips will help keep you, your family and your friends safe on your journey.

Have fun and enjoy New Zealand!