New ZealandNew Zealand
1. New Zealand
New Zealand lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and consists mainly of the North Island and South Island. Traffic drives on the left. Although the country is relatively compact, journeys can take longer than expected because many roads are narrow, winding and hilly, with mountain passes, unsealed sections and one-lane bridges still forming part of the road network. Snow and ice can affect alpine routes in winter, particularly on the South Island.
Most roads are free to use, and New Zealand has no nationwide vignette; there are currently only three toll roads, all on the North Island, using electronic number-plate-based collection without toll booths. The usual open-road maximum for light vehicles is 100 km/h, although 110 km/h applies on designated high-standard roads and many roads have lower posted limits. Road signs use standardised symbols and English, while te reo Māori and English increasingly appear together on bilingual signs.
AI-generated by Rijbewijs-online.be • WCIT • CC BY-SA
What is the alcohol limit for drivers in New Zealand?
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.
🔗 transport.govt.nz • New Zealand Ministry of Transport, current age-related alcohol limits
Can you use a mobile phone while driving in New Zealand?
You must not use a handheld phone for calls, texts, emails or similar communications while driving. An emergency call is excepted when stopping is unsafe or impracticable. Police advise using hands-free mode for calls and pulling over safely before texting or using other applications.
🔗 police.govt.nz • New Zealand Police, Being safe on the road, Driving with your phone; 🔗 police.govt.nz • New Zealand Police, phone and seatbelt enforcement guidance, 16 October 2026
When must children use a child seat in New Zealand?
Children under seven must use an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size. A seven-year-old must use an approved restraint if one is available; otherwise the applicable seat-belt rules apply. The driver is responsible for securing child passengers.
🔗 education.govt.nz • New Zealand Ministry of Education, child restraint and driver responsibility

Traffic rules
New Zealand