IMPORTANT ROAD RULES
SEATBELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS
All occupants of the vehicle must wear their safety belts, this includes all children. By law, everyone in the vehicle must wear a safety belt or child restraint – whether they’re in the front or back.
It is law in New Zealand that all children under the age of seven or 148cm remain in a child seat or booster seat at all times while travelling in the vehicle for their own safety.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Don’t drink or use drugs and then drive – the laws against this are strictly enforced in New Zealand and penalties are severe.
NO LEFT TURN ON RED
In New Zealand you may not turn left at an intersection when the traffic signals are red.
HAND-HELD MOBILE PHONES
Drivers must not use a hand-held mobile phone when driving, unless the device is completely hands-free or mounted securely to the vehicle – and touched infrequently and briefly. Writing, reading or sending text messages on a mobile phone while driving is also illegal.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH CYCLISTS
Cyclists have the same rights as drivers on New Zealand roads. Always slow down near cyclists, pass slowly and only when safe, and try to leave a space of 1.5 metres. Indicate in plenty of time and respect cycle lanes.
GIVING WAY AT INTERSECTIONS
In general, if you’re turning, give way to all vehicles that are not turning. Always use your indicator when turning. Please be very careful at all road junctions and roundabouts, correct use of traffic lanes and signalling is essential.
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Give Way Sign
This sign indicates that you must give way to any oncoming traffic unless you have enough time to safely proceed. |
KEEP LEFT
In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road. Please keep left at all times. If you drive on the right side of the road in your own country, please remember to keep left when pulling out onto the road – it’s easy to forget where you are!
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Wrong Way Sign
Take special care at complex intersections or motorway on ramps – look out for ‘WRONG WAY’ signs! |
DRIVING SPEEDS
Be aware of speed limits and adjust your speed to under the posted speed limit at all times. New Zealand has narrow, hilly, winding roads. At times you may need to drive at a slower speed due to road, weather or traffic conditions.
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Open road Sign
This sign indicates the default rural speed limit of 100km/h applies but the road is unlikely to be suitable to travel at that speed. You may need to drive at a slower speed. |
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100km Speed Limit Sign
On most of New Zealand's main rural roads, the speed limit is 100km/h unless a sign says a lower speed applies. The speed limit is generally 100km/h on motorways. |
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50km Speed Limit Sign
In urban areas, the speed limit is usually 50km/h unless a sign says otherwise. |
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35km Corner Speed Limit Sign
You will notice recommended maximum speed limits for some corners. You must not go around the corner exceeding this limit. |
Excessive speed is not tolerated by the NZ Police. If Apex or the Police receive reports of such behaviour from other road users, the Police will stop you and the car may be taken off you with no replacement car and no refund.
OVERTAKING
Most roads in New Zealand have a single lane each way, and some provide passing lanes at regular intervals – these should be used where possible when overtaking. You must not cross a solid yellow line on your side of the centre line to pass a vehicle, as this indicates it’s too dangerous to overtake.
Try and keep overtaking to an absolute minimum, this manoeuvre accounts for a significant number of vehicle accidents.
Dangerous overtaking is not tolerated by the NZ Police. If Apex or the Police receive reports of such behaviour from other road users, the Police will stop you and the car may be taken off you with no replacement car and no refund.
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Passing Lane Ahead Sign
New Zealand has periodical passing lanes on its state highways, these are signed posted in advance. It is always better to wait for one of those so you can pass as safely as possible. |
ONE-LANE BRIDGE
A number of roads in New Zealand have one-lane bridges where vehicles travelling in one direction must give way to vehicles going in the other direction.
Any of the signs below show that you are approaching a one-lane bridge. Slow down and check for traffic coming the other way. The smaller red arrow shows which direction has to give way.
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Give Way Sign
This sign show you must give way to traffic coming the other way across the bridge. |
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Give Way Sign
This sign indicates that you must give way to any oncoming traffic unless you have enough time to safely proceed. |
ANIMALS ON THE ROAD
Watch out for farm animals on the road, particularly in rural areas. When you see them, slow down and do not sound your horn – it may startle them. You may need to stop and let the animals go past or move slowly up behind and follow the farmer's instructions.
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Animals Ahead Sign
In some areas it's common for animals to cross the road. When you see the following sign be prepared to slow down. |
PARKING
In New Zealand, you can be fined or towed away for parallel parking on the wrong side of the road. You may only park in the direction of traffic flow on your side of the road (ie on the left side) unless it is a one-way street. You cannot park on the side of the road if there are yellow dashed lines.
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No Parking Sign
This sign indicates that you cannot park in the area around the sign. |
RAIL CROSSINGS
Only half of New Zealand’s 1500 public rail crossings have automatic alarms. If red lights are flashing, stop and only proceed once the lights have stopped flashing.
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Railway Crossing Sign
Other crossings have railway crossing and give way or stop signs only. When you see a stop sign at a crossing, stop and only cross the track if there are no trains approaching. When you see a give way sign, slow down and be ready to stop and only cross the track if there are no trains approaching. |