New ZealandNew Zealand

Drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Normally overtake on the right. Passing on the left is permitted in certain situations, including when vehicles are travelling in separate marked lanes.

Call 111 for Police, Fire or Ambulance in an emergency.

Drivers aged 20 or older must not exceed 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. Drivers under 20 have a zero-alcohol limit.

The usual unsigned urban default is 50 km/h, but many streets have posted limits of 30, 40 or another speed. Always follow the applicable speed-limit signs.

The general open-road maximum for a light vehicle is 100 km/h unless a different limit is posted. Many rural roads have lower signed limits.

Yes, but only on designated roads signed at 110 km/h. These are high-standard motorway or expressway sections; the higher speed does not apply automatically to every motorway.

There is no separate universal motorway speed limit. Most motorway sections are signed at 100 km/h or lower, while selected high-standard sections are signed at 110 km/h.

Follow the school-zone signs. Many schools use a variable 30 km/h limit during school travel periods, while some rural schools use a variable 60 km/h limit.

No. New Zealand does not have a national vignette. Most roads are free, with tolls charged only on specific roads.

There are currently three toll roads: the Northern Gateway Toll Road north of Auckland, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road.

Toll roads use electronic number-plate recognition and have no toll booths. Drivers can use an NZTA toll account or Pay & Go; unpaid trips should be paid promptly to avoid receiving a toll payment notice.

Yes. Everyone must wear a seat belt where one is provided. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 15 are properly restrained.

Yes. Children under 7 years old must use an approved child restraint. A child aged 7 must use an approved child restraint if one is available; otherwise an available seat belt must be used.

Children aged 8 to 14 must use an available seat belt. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 15 are properly restrained.

Yes. Motorcycle and moped riders and passengers must wear an approved safety helmet, subject to limited legal exemptions.

For motorcycles manufactured on or after 1 January 1980, the headlight on dipped beam or daytime running lamps must be used during daylight hours.

There is no general daytime-headlight requirement for ordinary cars. Headlights must be used between sunset and sunrise and whenever you cannot clearly see a person or vehicle 100 metres away.

You must not use a handheld mobile phone to call, text or access online services while driving. A phone may be used hands-free or in an appropriate fixed mounting within the permitted rules.

At an otherwise equal uncontrolled intersection, give way to traffic crossing your path from your right. Other give-way rules also apply, including that turning traffic must generally give way to traffic that is not turning and traffic on a terminating road must give way at a T-intersection.

When entering a roundabout, give way to vehicles that will cross your path from your right, including vehicles already circulating where applicable.

Yes. Drivers must give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing. Approach at a speed that allows you to stop safely.

If an emergency vehicle approaches using sirens or flashing red, blue, or red-and-blue lights, pull over and stop if necessary so it can pass.

Check the priority signs before entering. One direction will normally be required to give way to traffic coming from the opposite direction. Do not assume that the vehicle reaching the bridge first always has priority.

Currently, a visitor with a valid overseas car licence may drive for up to 18 months from the date they last arrived in New Zealand. Overseas motorcycle and truck licences may generally be used for up to 12 months. Different rules apply once a New Zealand licence has been obtained.

Not always. If your overseas licence is in English, an IDP is generally unnecessary. If it is not in English, you must also carry an accurate English translation or an International Driving Permit.

No. Motor-vehicle insurance is not legally compulsory in New Zealand, although at least third-party cover is strongly recommended.

Vehicles used on New Zealand roads generally need a current Warrant of Fitness (WoF) or, for vehicles in the applicable categories, a Certificate of Fitness (CoF).

There is no nationwide requirement to fit winter tyres. If winter tyres are fitted, they must be fitted to all four road wheels and meet the applicable tread requirements.

There is no general nationwide requirement to carry snow chains, but chains can be required on particular alpine roads when conditions demand them. Follow road signs and official instructions, especially on South Island mountain routes.

Not every railway crossing has flashing lights or barriers. Some crossings are controlled only by Stop or Give Way signs, so always check carefully for trains before crossing.

Road signs use standardised symbols and predominantly English. Drivers will also increasingly see bilingual te reo Māori and English signs, including Kura/School signs and other signs introduced through the national bilingual-sign programme.