What's different about driving in New Zealand?
Before you set off, make sure you’re familiar with New Zealand’s road rules.
Remember to keep left
For backpackers who are used to right-hand driving, keeping to the left on New Zealand roads might seem strange at first. If it’s a new experience for you, travel on public transport first. While you’re in a taxi or bus, you can sit behind the driver and mimic how they drive.
Overtaking
Most roads in New Zealand have a single lane each way, but provide passing lanes at regular intervals - these should be used where possible. You must not cross a solid yellow line on your side of the centre-line, as this indicates it's too dangerous to overtake.
Obey the speed limit
New Zealand’s speed limits are fairly low compared with speeds reached on German autobahns and for good reason. New Zealand roads can be treacherous and the open road speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour, with a lower speed of 50km for city and built-up areas. In many areas a safe speed will be well below the limit. Alternatively if you’re driving slowly in a campervan or just looking at the scenery, pull over and let the trail of cars behind you pass. New Zealand roads are notoriously windy and hard to overtake on so everyone will love you if you pull over!
Don’t follow too close
Many accidents in New Zealand are caused when drivers follow each other too closely and then crash because they can’t stop in time. Follow the two-second rule: when you’re following a car, identify a point on the side of the road such as a post. When the car in front passes the post, count for two seconds. If you pass that same post before the two seconds is up, you’re too close. This test works at any speed.
Give way to pedestrians and at roundabouts
Two rules are
i) that drivers must give way to pedestrians on both sides of a pedestrian crossing, unless the crossing is divided by a raised traffic island and
ii) there is a legal requirement for all vehicles to indicate on roundabouts and use the correct lane.
Concentrate on your driving
Even though you’re in New Zealand to look at the scenery, remember that driving takes a lot of concentration. If there’s more than one of you in the car, take turns at being the driver and sightseeing passenger. If there’s something you really want to see, stop the car and take a proper look.
Special care on gravel roads
A fairly high percentage of isolated roads in New Zealand are covered in loose gravel instead of tar seal. Driving on gravel roads takes extra skill and concentration. It’s these rural roads that claim many road accident victims. Appreciate the fact that roads are very treacherous with loose gravel and remember to reduce speed. Hilly, narrow or winding roads mean that your journey may take longer than you expect.
Take plenty of rest breaks
New Zealand highways have an abundance of rest stops along the roadside, which are usually marked by a sign with a symbol of a park bench and a tree. It’s especially important to stop and rest if you’ve driven a long distance, have jetlag or are feeling tired. Every year tourists are involved in crashes just hours after arriving in the country. Hopping off the plane after a long flight and getting straight behind the wheel can be a deadly mistake. Don’t ruin your holiday before it even starts – give yourself time to catch up on sleep and get over your jet lag before hitting the road.
If an accident happens
If it’s only a minor accident and no one is injured, there’s no need to call the police. (But if you want the police there for insurance reasons, they will attend). If the accident is more serious and someone has been injured, you must report it to the police within 24 hours.
Driver licence requirements
In New Zealand, you must have your valid and current driver licence or international driving permit with you at all times when you're driving. If your overseas licence or permit is not in English, you must carry an accurate English translation issued by:
- an authorised translation provider in New Zealand
- a diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate, or
- the authority that issued your overseas licence (an international driving permit may be acceptable as a translation).
If you hold a valid and current overseas driver licence or international driving permit, you can drive for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive in New Zealand.
Each time you visit New Zealand, you can drive for a further 12-month period on a valid overseas licence or international driving permit, as long as you stay for no longer than a year at a time.
For more information visit the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) website:
or call Land Transport NZ on 0800 822 422 (free within NZ).