Road markingsNew Zealand
32. Road markings
Road markings are lines, symbols, arrows, words or other markings applied to the road surface to regulate, guide or inform road users. They can separate traffic lanes and opposing directions, indicate where vehicles must stop or give way, mark pedestrian and cyclist crossings and identify areas reserved for particular road users.
Road users should observe the meaning of each road marking and combine it with the applicable traffic signs, signals and traffic rules. Colours, patterns and legal meanings can differ between countries.
Wikimedia.org • Mattinbgn • CC BY
Which road markings are important to recognise in New Zealand?
New Zealand uses yellow no-passing lines on relevant roads as well as white lane and centre markings. Keep out of prohibited passing areas and follow stop or give-way road markings.
🔗 nzta.govt.nz • New Zealand, NZTA official Road Code — roadmarks
🔗 nzta.govt.nz • NZTA — solid and broken yellow no-passing lines
May drivers cross a solid road line in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, a solid yellow no-passing line prohibits passing a motor vehicle or animal-drawn vehicle if the manoeuvre crosses that line on your side of the centre line. Official guidance permits crossing it, when safe, to turn into a driveway or side road. A broken yellow advance line must not be crossed to start passing, although it can be crossed to finish an existing pass. Read the actual marking and all other controls.
🔗 nzta.govt.nz • New Zealand, NZTA official Road Code — roadmarks
🔗 nzta.govt.nz • NZTA — solid and broken yellow no-passing lines
Can painted arrows or stop lines be ignored when signs are not obvious in New Zealand?
No. Lane arrows, stop lines and give-way markings can direct where to wait or which movement a lane permits. Read them together with traffic lights, vertical signs and directions from authorised traffic controllers; temporary changes may also apply.
🔗 nzta.govt.nz • New Zealand, NZTA official Road Code — roadmarks
🔗 nzta.govt.nz • NZTA — solid and broken yellow no-passing lines

Traffic rules
New Zealand