This section introduces you to the main driving skills, traffic rules and behaviours you need to learn to be a safe and competent driver. Exploring New Zealand often requires a lot of driving. From Cape Reinga to Bluff, there are thousands of fantastic sights to see and getting around by car offers unparalleled freedom. However, driving in New Zealand can be a bit more challenging than what you`re used to. New Zealand`s roads are often narrower, winding and not as well maintained as you might be used to. For example, some of our main roads are gravel roads! This means that traffic rules and laws can sometimes be slightly different. For added safety, here is a quick reminder of the most important driving rules in New Zealand. At an intersection with a traffic light, you cannot turn left if the traffic light is red. Once the traffic light turns green (including green in the direction you turn), you must yield the right of way to all pedestrians crossing the street before turning.
The New Zealand Highway Code is the official road safety manual for New Zealand published by the NZ Transport Agency. It is a guide to safe driving practices and traffic law in New Zealand and also forms the basis for theoretical and practical driving tests. Get behind the wheel with AA`s new guest driver training program (opens in a new window) and find out what it`s like to drive on New Zealand roads. Experience a series of driving tasks and test yourself with New Zealand traffic rules. If you pass the tests, you will receive a certificate to prove your skills. For tourist drivers, the Visiting Drivers project was created to improve road safety for tourists. [3] Official New Zealand Highway Code for Heavy Vehicle Drivers Always check that it is safe to pass a vehicle beforehand and only intervene if you are 100% sure it is safe. Expressways are common on New Zealand roads, especially on the North Island, so you can always wait for the next expressway to overtake.
Keep in mind that crossing a continuous yellow line is illegal in New Zealand. In New Zealand, drive on the left side of the road. Much like in the UK and Australia, New Zealand decided to swim against the current and let people drive on the left side of the road. This means that you will have to look right when entering a roundabout. For a safe and enjoyable driving experience on holiday, make sure you know New Zealand`s important traffic rules. Parking on the side of the road must be in the same direction as the flow of traffic. On a one-way street, you can park on both sides of the street. Many things can be hidden in corners, curves and single-track bridges. Many roads in New Zealand are narrow with fairly tight bends. When a huge truck or RV comes out of this corner, it takes skills to pass safely.
Be sure to slow down and check if it is safe to pass. Stay at or below the speed limit. As in most countries, speed limit signs are visible by a large red circle and a black number in the middle. The basic speed limits in New Zealand are 30 km/h near construction sites and hazardous areas, 50 km/h in towns and villages and 100 km/h on motorways. That`s it for our list of the most important rules of conduct in New Zealand. A comprehensive guide in different languages can be found in this New Zealand Transport Agency brochure for foreign drivers. If not, here are some other useful travel tips for New Zealand: Cars don`t have priority over pedestrians, cyclists or animals. It is the driver`s responsibility to pay attention to pedestrians crossing the road, especially pedestrian/zebra crossings and intersections. For cyclists, slow down and pass slowly only when you are safe, leaving at least 5 feet (1.5 m) of distance between the cyclist and the car. For animals on the street, slow down and proceed carefully. Don`t let your horn sound.
As in most countries in the world, it is illegal to use your mobile phone while driving in New Zealand. If you need to answer that call or text, find a safe place to stop on the side of the road – there`s always a good place to stop just minutes away. Alternatively, you can set up a system that allows you to use your phone hands-free while driving. One-lane bridges are also a priority system on New Zealand roads. On single-lane bridge signs, the side of the road indicated by the black arrow takes precedence. However, they must let incoming traffic pass if they have already intervened on the bridge. As Transport Minister in the new Labour government,[4] Bob Semple introduced the first Highway Code in 1936. [5] There was no speed limit, but required motorists to be able to stop at half the distance they could see and not pass streetcars when stopping.
[6] The introduction of the British Highway Code was highly publicized at the time. [7] It`s pretty confusing, so take a look at some graphics on the NZ Transport Agency website for examples. Speaking of giving in, it`s also important to know where to make room for different scenarios. For example, you know that you have to yield the right of way to traffic approaching from the right on roundabouts. In addition, you must yield to vehicles if: Find out what limits you need to know when driving – speed limits, alcohol limits and your own limits. Everyone in your vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times. In New Zealand, it is the driver`s responsibility to ensure that everyone adheres to this rule. If someone is caught not wearing a seat belt, both the driver and the offender will be fined. Note that children under the age of seven require an approved child restraint system (booster seat). Select a chapter of the Highway Code and browse the units. Each time you complete a unit or chapter, we update your progress. At railway crossings, only about half of the crossings are lit.
If the lights are flashing, stop and do not continue until the lights stop flashing. Other intersections have signs. If it is indicated on a sign, you must stop your vehicle and continue only when no train is approaching. If there is a right-of-way sign, be sure to slow down as you approach the intersection so that you are prepared to stop in case a train arrives. Being a driver comes with many responsibilities. Some relate to the ownership of a motor vehicle, while others are the responsibility of all drivers. If roundabouts aren`t common as to where you`re coming from, they can seem a bit confusing. When approaching a roundabout, first mark on the left to indicate that you intend to drive on the left or right to show that you are driving more than half of the roundabout to exit on the right. You do not have to indicate if you leave the roundabout straight, you must still indicate that you want to exit! Most importantly, you need to yield the right of way to all traffic crossing your path from the right. Learn about the features cars and light trailers need and safe loading and towing practices.
A user-friendly guide to New Zealand traffic law and safe driving practices. For drivers under the age of 20, there is a zero alcohol limit in New Zealand. For drivers 20 years of age and older, the alcohol limit is 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood, or 250 micrograms per liter of breath. Learn the delicate words and strange terms you might encounter in the study test. It sounds obvious, but a quick reminder doesn`t hurt; Drunk driving is a crime in New Zealand. High fines and even jail time can be imposed on violators. This would be the worst way to shorten your vacation. Our advice: To be sure, take a second to observe the traffic and always check both sides. This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. He lived, worked and travelled to 16 different countries before calling New Zealand home. He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, conducting over 600 activities across the country.
He is passionate about sharing these experiences and tips on NZ Pocket Guide and its YouTube channel. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides. Sign up to take a look at some of the most difficult questions on the learning test. The roads in New Zealand are different from the rest of the world. New Zealand has many corners. Since you never know what`s on the other side of a curve, always slow down and pay attention to the recommended speeds indicated in curves and curves. Recommended speeds are indicated by diamond-shaped signs with an arrow indicating the shape of the curve, and sometimes again on yellow signs in the curve.