Speed and distance in New Zealand are measured in kilometres rather than miles. Do not underestimate the time needed to travel places. The local automobile association publishes a travelling time guide that suggests average travelling speeds in the range of 50 to 70 km per hour should be allowed if travel is to be enjoyed. However if you are travelling below the posted speed limit and you are holding up other traffic you must pull over to the left to allow them to pass, or increase your speed to the posted speed limit, conditions allowing.
An '''International Driving Permit''' (IDP) or a '''New Zealand Driver Licence''' is required to be carried at all times while driving in New Zealand. But you can legally drive for up to 12 months if you have a current driver's license of your home country.
Upon your arrival it may be a good idea to visit an AA (Automobile Association, easily recognised by the yellow decor with the letters AA inside a yellow box for the logo) to buy a "Road Code" magazine. This has the current road rules, so revising should prevent any accidents relating to misunderstanding the road laws. The New Zealand Road Code and self-test questions are also available online from the New Zealand Land Transport Agency. [http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode]
Drive on the left-hand side of the road. If you are used to driving on the right, you need to concentrate at all times. Take particular care when pulling out from laybys and driveways or when you are tired. It is very easy to have a lapse of concentration and to revert to habit. Such lapses have caused a number of fatal head-on accidents in New Zealand. Many inter-city roads lack median barriers, so there is nothing to force the driver to stay on the correct side of the road.
Generally speaking, driving in New Zealand is relatively stress-free. The only major problem is the "give way to the right" rule. Unlike in Singapore, Australia, the UK or Japan where people also drive on the left, New Zealanders treat every intersection like a roundabout. This means that if you are turning left you have to give way to vehicles turning right into the same lane.
As a rule of thumb most New Zealand Driving instructors say: If, in a collision, the other car would hit your drivers side door (right hand side of the car) you should give way. It is important to note that anyone behind a give way sign must give way to any cars on roads without the give way sign. Failure to give way will result in a $150 fine.
New Zealand has a network of major arterial roads throughout the country that are called '''highways'''. Most are not engineered to international highway standards found in other westernised countries. Only roads designated as '''motorways''' are engineered to international highway standards and that term is used to describe a road reserved and designed specifically for motorised vehicles. In many respects, New Zealand ''highways'' are simply the major roads between significant places and can be used by any traveller, including cyclists, pedestrians and even farm animals.
The state Highway Network is documented at Wikipedia | New Zealand State Highway network
New Zealand Road Signs generally follow international conventions. The full range of signs is illustrated in the [http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/ New Zealand Road Code]. There are three types:
''Regulatory signs'' - those that must be obeyed by law - These signs have a ''Red'' border or background. Red on a road sign indicates there is a road rule that will be broken (and fine) if the sign is disobeyed.
''Warning signs'' - which should be obeyed for safety reasons - These signs have ''Black'' borders and symbols with a ''yellow'' (permanent) or ''orange'' (temporary) background.
''Information signs'' - which give information - These normally have ''White'' borders and symbols or text with either a ''blue'', ''green'' or ''brown'' background. This includes many parking signs, and fines may be imposed by the local council - rather than Police - if parking limits are exceeded. Rectangular blue signs with a white border that read P''xx'' (where ''xx'' is a number) indicate the maximum amount of time that a vehicle may remain parked in that area.
White lines are used to mark the roads. Solid lines indicate road boundaries, parking spaces, stopping positions and centre lines at intersections. Broken or dotted lines indicate lanes and centre lines. As a general rule it is permissible to cross a broken white line, while a solid white line indicates some road rule limits when that line should be crossed.
Yellow centre lines are used to indicate when passing or crossing the centre line is not permitted. Broken yellow lines on the side of the road are used to indicate ''No Stopping'' areas or parking spaces reserved for special vehicles.
Controlled intersections (i.e. Traffic lights or signs) have ''Limit lines'' that vehicles need to stop behind at these intersections. These lines are often set back a few metres from the intersection itself and if you cross the line, say at a right turn, your vehicle may not be detected by the traffic light sensors and you may not get the green light.
Diagonal, often yellow, cross hatchings in an intersection shows that the exit to the intersection often is blocked, and you must not obstruct the intersection by stopping in the (marked) area of the intersection, though this rule applies at every intersection, marked or not.
Large diagonal white lines in the centre of the road indicate a 'flush median'. This can only be used when turning right, never for overtaking.
Bus lanes are often, though not always, painted green. Cars should not be driven in bus lanes unless a sign indicates permission; some bus lanes may be open to cars that are carrying passengers or travelling at certain times of the day or week. You may travel for 50 metres in a bus lane if you have just entered a road or are going to turn left within this distance.
At Pedestrian crossings (zebra crossings), white parallel lines are painted across the road. A white diamond is usually painted on the road before pedestrian crossing, together with warning signs and amber flashing lights or round orange reflectors on black and white striped poles at the crossing.
Drivers must stop for pedestrians waiting at the crossing. This applies to the '''whole''' crossing and pedestrians on both sides of the road, even if the white centreline passes through the crossing or there is a painted centre median. Only when there is a raised traffic island can the crossings in either traffic direction be treated separately. Vehicles can proceed once the pedestrian has safely passed by the front of their vehicle.
If the word '''SCHOOL''' is painted by the diamond or on the warning sign, the crossing is controlled by a ''School Patrol'' with round '''STOP''' signs. Traffic must stop, and stay stopped, if even one school patrol stop sign is displayed on either side of school patrol crossings. Although these crossings are often operated by trained school children, there is generally a responsible adult supervising too. Crossing patrols operate about half an hour before and after school, typically between 8:30 AM and 9 AM and between 2 PM and 3:30 PM.
All New Zealand traffic signals are standardised with ''Red'' on top, ''Amber'' (''Yellow''/''Orange'') in the middle and ''Green'' at the bottom. Only one colour shows at a time - unlike older UK systems there is no Red-Amber phase indicating the lights will shortly change to green.
The following lights occur - they have the same meaning on vehicles:
In urban areas the speed limit is 50 km/h unless there are signs indicating otherwise.
Auckland is the largest city and drivers will encounter some traffic congestion at peak times, which remains mild by international standards. Other major cities such as Wellington also have traffic jams around 8am and 5pm on key roads in and out of the city. At off-peak times driving from the city to the airport can take 25 minutes. In peak times it can take up to an hour, but generally 40 minutes, to travel the same route. There are areas of extensive road building/improvements through the city and can cause delays where they meet the existing network.
There are generally very few one-way streets in New Zealand, but most of them are located in the cities' central business districts, so beware of them while driving there as they are not always obvious. Be particularly careful in Wellington where not only one way streets but also bus-only streets do exist. Also be particularly careful of the unusually high curbs in Wellington which can cause a driver to scrape the paintwork or undercarriage of the car when normally they would expect only the tires to hit the curb.
The speed limit on the main highways and motorways is 100 km/h for cars, but only 90 km/h for buses, trucks and vehicles towing trailers. (Until recently this was 80km/h but has been raised) Some semi-rural roads have 70 km/h or 80 km/h limits, especially approaching and leaving urban areas. The Auckland Harbour Bridge and the Central Motorway Junction in Auckland have an 80km/h limit.
Some roads have a '''Limited Speed Zone''' or '''LSZ'''. This means the speed limit changes depending on the conditions. In good conditions, with light traffic, the speed limit can be the open road limit of 100 km/h but it drops to 50 km/h if there is a lot of traffic, the weather is poor or there are people on the roadside. A '''LSZ''' will often be found in the transition zones between town and country, though most have now been replaced with 70 km/h zones.
Be aware not all road signs follow the international standard and "open-road-signs" are still in use in less used roads. These are white signs with a black stripe across them which denote a 100km/h zone. But like the LSZ drivers are expected to adjust their speed in bad conditions (it is unlikely that you will be fined for travelling at 100km/h even in relatively bad conditions on the "open road" however caution is advised as many of these roads are in comparatively poor condition with potholes, etc making some of them dangerous even at the best of times).
Be careful when turning into side roads while in rural areas. Stopping in the middle of the road while waiting to turn often results in a rear collision. Drivers typically wait to the left of the road instead of the middle.
Many rural highways are windy, fast, have one lane on each side of the road, and have tight corners. Oblong black and white arrow signs with a number (eg. "65") approximately indicate the tightness of an upcoming turn; the number indicates an appropriate speed to travel at through the corner. It is generally accepted that an experienced driver in good conditions when not towing or driving a heavy vehicle will be able to take the bend at 20 - 30km/h more than the marked speed. However for signs reading "35km/h" the speed advice should be taken literally as all 35km/h turns are exceedingly difficult turns around which it is hard to remain in your lane at above this speed. Also in bad weather it is often necessary to follow precisely the advice of all these signs.
In general a 10km/h allowance is made for inaccurate speedometers, so many drivers travel at 100-109km/h on the open road. Officially though, the Police have a no-tolerance policy and can issue tickets for any speed over the limit. Police have been known to fine for only going 5km/h over the speed limit.
Travelling more than '''40 km/h''' over any speed limit is considered dangerous driving and will result in arrest, suspension of driver's licence and possible impounding of the vehicle if caught by police. Failing to stop for Police when directed (e.g. Flashing red and blue lights/siren) may also result in an arrest, as New Zealand Police will pursue a fleeing vehicle unless doing so would endanger other road users.
The police operate a dedicated ''Highway Patrol'' who have the responsibility of enforcing traffic laws and assist at accidents. These vehicles are marked in yellow, blue and white (rather than the orange, blue and white of other police vehicles). Unmarked (or mufti) patrol vehicles are also used. However, all Police officers are expected to stop offending motorists if traffic offending is observed. However, it is rare for (non-Highway Patrol) Police officers to concentrate on offences other than speeding. Police officers are required to ensure a steady flow of traffic by ensuring overly slow drivers pull over and let traffic past; however, this behaviour is rarely observed.
Speed cameras operate from the back of unmarked cars, vans (as of August 2005, mainly white, red or green Mistubishi vans) or from camera boxes in fixed positions. Police also use handheld laser speed guns and may operate hidden speed cameras. An innocent looking parked van or car or that cream or silver box on a pole at the side of the road may or may not contain a camera, best to assume that it does. The official policy is to target those areas with disproportionately high accident statistics.
Take extra care at observing speed limits as you pass through small towns. There are often speed cameras just past where the speed limit drops to 50km/h, such as the fixed speed cameras entering Bulls from the south as with Palmerston North.
Also be sure to obey temporary speed restrictions put in place for road works and special events, even when there is no evidence of work actually in progress. When resealing has taken place, the limit is often left in place for a couple of weeks until loose stones have disappeared or been swept. Being caught driving at more than 80km/h in a temporary 30km/h zone will lead to automatic loss of driving licence plus a heavy fine. Do not be surprised if long lengths of highway have 30km/h restrictions despite there not being any sign of road works or workmen; this is notoriously commonplace to drivers' frustration.
New Zealand Police strictly enforce alcohol limits for drivers. Police often set up alcohol checkpoints, sometimes around a whole city centre, and even set up checkpoints on motorways. However, any and every traffic stop is also an opportunity for testing for drink-driving. Police use ''alcohol sniffer'' devices to detect drivers who have been drinking. Drivers who fail these roadside screening tests will be asked to undertake a evidential breath or blood alcohol test. Refusal will result in arrest. The best advice about drinking alcohol then driving - don't.
Wearing seatbelts in cars and vans is compulsory. There are very limited exceptions for medical reasons (with a medical certificate), taxi drivers and some antique cars. All adult passengers are responsible for wearing their own seatbelts. The driver is responsible for ensuring children, especially under 8's, are restrained in approved child restraints, if they are too small of an ordinary seat belt. If you are in a car, even a taxi, buckle up. You could be fined $150 if you are not wearing your seatbelt, even as a passenger.
Most of New Zealand's roads are single carriageways with only one lane in each direction, few median barriers, and few passing (or ''overtaking'') lanes. When passing lanes do exist they are often fairly short. Passing lanes may sometimes be legally used by vehicles overtaking in the opposite direction too (but only when the lane is clear- traffic on the same side of the centre line as the passing lane has right of way). This depends on whether the centreline markings have double yellow lines (no crossing) or a single yellow line with a white broken line (crossing permitted from the white line side only), so keep to the left whilst driving in a passing lane except when overtaking.
Except at intersections, where vehicles are turning right, overtaking vehicles must pass on the right. People often overtake by driving on the opposite side of the road. If you choose to overtake then make sure you spend as little time as possible on the opposite side of the road and only overtake when you can maintain at least 100 metres visibility throughout the whole manoeuvre. However, you must take care not to exceed the speed limit at all times, as speeding up to minimise the time spent on the wrong side of the road, will still be viewed by Police officers as dangerous.
Where overtaking is not allowed, the road is marked with a solid yellow line adjacent and to the left of the white dotted centreline. It is illegal to overtake in these zones unless you can do so without crossing the centreline. Never cross a yellow no overtaking line to overtake as these are often the only indication of a hidden dip in the road ahead. These hidden dips could be hiding oncoming traffic that would be impossible to avoid.
On multi-lane roads (including overtaking lanes), each lane is considered a separate road-way and passing on the left can occur provided you stay within the marked lanes. Slower vehicles are expected to travel in the left lane(s) when multiple lanes travel in the same direction, but may not, for example in heavy traffic. Also a driver is legally obligated, where possible to drive in the left hand lane, however this is rarely if ever enforced.
On two lane roads, slower vehicles are legally obliged to allow faster following traffic to pass when it queues behind them, whenever there is an opportunity to do so. Vehicles will often pull to the left edge of the road and indicate a left signal briefly. However, this behaviour is becoming less widespread, and Police officers will never enforce this obligation.
Overtaking is a notable feature of intercity travel in New Zealand due to the lack of multi-lane motorways. Expect to be constantly overtaking slow, heavily laden trucks and other slower vehicles.
The speed limit passing a school bus that has stopped for passengers is 20km/h from either direction. This means you must slow to 20km/h even if the school bus is on the opposite side of the road. Some school buses have a yellow and black sign saying "SCHOOL" but no other warning signs or marking different from any other bus on the road; school buses lack distinctive colouring and are never painted yellow. There are a lot of school buses on rural roads between 7AM and 9AM and 3PM and 5PM on any school day so it pays to take care.
In the North Island the main hazards are:
In the South Island the main hazards are:
Other Hazards: