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Q: What are the road rules in New Zealand?
A: Some basic road rules when travelling in New Zealand are as follows:Keep to the leftWhen driving in New Zealand we drive on the left side of the road. If you are used to driving on the right, you need to remember to:
look over your right shoulder for traffic coming from behind; and use all your car mirrors to check that it is safe before you move into traffic, change lanes or pass other vehicles
if you are driving in two or more lanes of traffic, keep in the left lane as much as possible. Use the lane(s) closer to the centre line only to pass other vehicles or to turn right.
Keep reminding yourself to keep left, and be extra careful when you are driving in rural areas where there is less traffic.
Keep to the speed limits and drive carefully
Urban speed limit (50 km/h)
The general urban speed limit is 50 km/h. In an urban traffic area, the urban speed limit indicates that drivers can expect to encounter vehicles that are turning, slowing, stopping or parking, pedestrians, cycles and heavy vehicles.
An urban traffic area is land close to or within a town or city. The land will generally appear fully built-up.
Land uses include:
residential
commercial
industrial
educational
recreational
An urban traffic area also includes partly built-up areas:
in small towns
within a metropolitan area
on the fringes of a metropolitan area
Rural speed limit (100 km/h)
The general rural speed limit is 100 km/h. Please note that for 6 Berth Backpacker Campervans this speed limit is reduced to 90km/h. A rural area is land outside towns and cities. The level of roadside development is at a minimum.
Land use includes:
agriculture
market gardening
forestry
reserves
small settlements
Houses in rural areas will generally be set back some distance from the road. There will be little kerbing and no footpaths unless installed for a specific reason (eg, a school remote from a residential area).
Street lighting will generally not be provided but, if present, it will be only at specific community facilities or used as intersection indicator lighting. In situations where the safe operating speed is below 100 km/h due to the road geometry or other limitations on the roadway, drivers should be made aware of the need to reduce speed.
This can be achieved by means of warning signs, delineation and by the physical nature of the road itself. Using de restriction signs should also be considered as an alternative to using 100-km/h signs. It is not appropriate to install a lower speed limit.
Give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from your right. If you are:
at a 'Give Way' sign, be ready to stop and give way to all traffic
at a 'Stop' sign, stop completely and then give way to all traffic going straight ahead, give way to all vehicles coming straight through from your right turning, give way to all vehicles not turning
turning left, give way to vehicles coming towards you that are turning right
turning right, give way to vehicles on your right that are turning right.
Legal requirements
Children under five years must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint.
Children aged five to seven years must use an appropriate child restraint if there's one available. If there isn't, the child must use a safety belt. If there's no safety belt available, the child must sit in the back seat.
Children aged eight to 14 years must use a safety belt if there's one available. If there's no safety belt, they must sit in the back seat.
Drivers and passengers 15 years and over must wear a safety belt if there's one available.
Penalties
The fine for not wearing a safety belt or allowing a person under the age of 15 to travel unrestrained is $150 for each belt not worn.
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure anyone under the age of 15 is wearing a safety belt or approved child restraint.
People aged 15 and over are responsible for their own fine.
Please read the detailed information on this website about how a Baby / Booster Seat can be fitted in to your Backpacker Campervans or Backpacker Hire Car.
New Zealand takes the issue of drink driving very seriously. When you've been drinking, the chances of crashing are high. In fact, when you drive with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit (80 mg per 100ml), you are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than if you hadn't had a drink.
Please ensure that when you are driving a Backpacker Campervan or Rental Car in New Zealand, you drive responsibly and safely. If you drink, don't drive.
If you're an adult the legal blood alcohol limit for driving is no more than 80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100mls of blood.
If you are under 20 you shouldn't drink any alcohol before you drive. Your limit is 30 milligrams for every 100mls.
Penalties
Drink-driving is considered a serious offence and carries tough penalties, especially for repeat offenders. Third and subsequent offenders face maximum fines of $6,000, prison terms of up to two years, and a one year minimum disqualification from driving.
If you cause injury or death while drink-driving, you can be fined up to $10,000 for driving carelessly while under the influence (no breath or blood test needed); and up to $20,000 where a breath or blood-alcohol test shows you were over the limit.
The police can use the following tests to see if you have been drinking or taking drugs:
Passive breath test
The officer will place a hand-held device in front of your mouth. This will show if alcohol has recently been taken. If any alcohol is detected, a breath screening test will be required.
Breath screening test
The officer will give you either a tube of crystals with a bag on the end, or a small electronic device, and ask you to blow into it. If your alcohol level is high you will have to take an evidential breath test.
Evidential breath test
This is an electronic device you blow into, which gives a reading that can be used in court as evidence of your breath alcohol concentration.
Blood test
A medical doctor or other approved person will take a sample of your blood to be tested for alcohol or drugs.
Related InformationThe New Zealand Road Code The Official New Zealand Road Code website helping you to understand New Zealand traffic law and become a safe and courteous road user.
AA (Automobile Association) Roadwatch This website is kept up to date with major incidents around New Zealand. You can browse by region, and see if there are any road closures.
Land Transport New Zealand Detailed information about land transport in New Zealand, including safe driving tips, driving rules, and regulations
Alcohol Advisory of New Zealand Come here to find out the alcohol content of a standard drink to allow you a better understanding of your limits
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