Driving in New Zealand

Before you drive in New Zealand, get as much information as possible about our road rules and driving conditions.

• What's different about driving in New Zealand?
• Can you drive in New Zealand?
• Drive to the conditions
• Wearing a seat belt is compulsory
• Speed limits
• Obey the road rules

What’s different about driving in New Zealand?

We have some different driving rules and behaviours to those you may be familiar with.

People who are new to New Zealand often find the following road rules and situations the most difficult:

• driving on the left side of the road
• roundabouts
• NZ’s unique give way rule at intersections
• merging on motorways
• watching out for walkers and cyclists
• adjusting to different speed zones
• parking
• hilly, narrow or winding roads, which mean that your journey may take longer than you expect.

Can you drive in New Zealand?

You must have a current and valid overseas driver licence or international driving permit (IDP) to drive in New Zealand.

*A current and valid overseas driver licence means that your licence allows you to legally drive in your own country. If you are disqualified from driving or your licence is currently suspended, expired or revoked, then you are not allowed to drive in New Zealand.

• If you are in New Zealand for up to one year
  
  You can use a current and valid driver licence from another country.
  
  If your driver licence is not in English, you should have an IDP or English translation of your licence so that the New Zealand Police can read the details on your licence. (Note that a translation must be from a translation service that has been approved by the NZ Director of Land Transport.)
• If you are planning to stay and drive in New Zealand for more than one year
  
  If you do have a current overseas driver licence or international driving permit, you can drive using that for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive in New Zealand.
  
  If you are using an overseas licence or an international driving permit, you must convert to a New Zealand driver licence before one year has passed.
  
  You should apply for a New Zealand driver licence as soon as possible after your arrival.
  
  Phone 0800 822 422 (free within New Zealand) to find out how to apply.

Drive to the conditions

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

• Many New Zealand roads are narrow, winding or hilly which reduces your ability to see what is coming up ahead.
• Some roads are unsealed and dusty, particularly in rural areas, where you may see farm animals being moved along rural roads.
• The weather in winter can make the roads slippery and icy and can also make it difficult to see oncoming traffic. In New Zealand it is not uncommon for the weather to be unpredictable, even in summer.



Wearing a safety belt is compulsory

In New Zealand you and your passengers must always wear a safety belt, and children under five years must be restrained with an appropriate approved restraint.

You can be fined for not wearing your safety belt..

Speed limits

Every road in New Zealand has a speed limit. The actual speed limit depends on the type, use and condition of the road - so the speed limit in a suburban street is likely to be 50 km/h, while the usual speed limit on a motorway is 100 km/h.

The New Zealand Police are strict on drivers who speed. If you are caught, you could face some severe fines and penalties.

Obey the road rules

The New Zealand Police are very strict on drivers who drive dangerously or break our driving laws. If you are caught, you may have to pay a fine (up to thousands of dollars) or face even more severe penalties like losing your licence, your car or even going to prison.

Common traffic offences that incur fines and penalties include:

• driving faster than the speed limit
• driving without an appropriate current licence
• failing to produce a licence when requested by a policeman at the roadside
• driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
• not wearing a safety belt
• driving a vehicle that does not have a current warrant of fitness, is not registered or is not safe
• driving dangerously
• not stopping after a crash where someone has been injured or killed.

For more information

To find out more about New Zealand road rules and driving practices:

• Visit the Land Transport New Zealand website; or
• Phone them free (within New Zealand) on 0800 699 000.