Driving in New Zealand is different
In the land of Kiwi’s you drive on the left hand side and the drivers seat located on the right. If you come from overseas and you are used to drive on the right hand side it might take you a wee while, especially when you come to an intersection or turn somewhere but you’ll have the crack of it easily. Just keep in mind, you must sit “in the middle” of the road and your passenger at the boundary.
Roads in New Zealand are narrow, windy, hilly and often steeper than expected. Most of the roads are two-ways with one lane bridges along the way. There are a few motorways, mostly around the cities. Don’t plan your travel times related on what you are used to from home – it will take you longer to get to our destination in New Zealand but with a much more beautiful scenery along the drive.
Always make sure to stay on the left side of the road.
If there is traffic behind you and there’s no passing lane ahead, just pull over where it is safe and let them pass. If you want to overtake someone, wait for the passing lane. They come in regular intervals and should be used where ever possible. Be patient until you reach them.
In urban areas the speed limit is usually 50 km/h, unless there is a different signage. Sometimes you are also allowed to drive up to 80 km/h. Just have a look what the signage says. In rural areas the speed limit is a 100 km/h, but you will realize soon that it’s not possible to drive a 100 km/h most of the time. If there is a signage with a different speed limit, follow the regulations.
Yellow signs with speed limits on are advisor for you and to warn you of an upcoming tight curve or bend in the road.
Plan more travel time, than you would normally think of.
Make sure you don’t speed – first because of your safety, second for your wallet. Speeding is expensive in New Zealand.
All passengers must wear their seat belts, by law. If you are not wearing your seat belt and you get caught you’ll have to pay a fine of $150.
Sharing moments with your beloved ones is the best way to travel. Make sure to travel safe and get a child restraint from us.
Children under 7 need an approved child restrain.
Children aged 7 approved child restraint if available
Children aged 8 and over just need to wear the seat belt
All adults must wear seat belt at any time.
There are unwritten rules how to interact in a roundabout, of course you must give way to traffic from your right and you have to travel in a clockwise direction.
To show the other traffic participants where you want to travel you let them know by your indicator. If you want to leave at the first exit please blink left. You want to leave on the second or go straight, you go without any flashing. And if you want to leave on the last exit you indicate to the right, when you enter the roundabout.
But of course you are never wrong to indicate, when you leave the roundabout.