Can you turn left at a red light? Do you really have to give way to the right? What about parking? Driving in New Zealand is quite similar to other western countries but there are a few rules to bear in mind to avoid an accident ruining your time in the country. The most important differences are outlined below.
Drive on the left
Like the UK, Australia and Japan, New Zealand drives on the left, and the steering wheel’s on the right. There’s a mix of automatic and manual transmission with neither being dominant.
Red Lights
Unlike the USA you cannot turn left at a red light. Some lights will have dedicated lanes that bypass the lights, but this is specific to junctions and not the norm.
Give Way to the Right When Turning Left
If you don’t pay attention to the rest of this article, read this one! This will catch many people out during their visit to New Zealand and it could be argued it’s the cause of most of the small accidents in the country. If you are turning left onto a side road, you must give way (yield) to traffic crossing your path from the right!
This rule can be very confusing if you are on a two way road, and there is a car behind you going straight on. Thankfully the law relating to this is due for change around 2012, but always be careful in this situation.
Junctions
It’s worth taking particular care at junctions – there are some very strange ones dotted around the country! Sometimes you may get a sign looking like you are taking a right turn, but it’s just an indication of the main road you are on having a particularly sharp bend. Sometimes there are 4 way junctions, and sometimes you wonder why on earth they came up with the road design they did. Most junctions are easy enough, but beware.
Speed Limits & Road Types
Speed and distance are measured in kilometres. Speed limits are generally 50km/h in towns and cities, and 100km/h on the open road. Some shopping areas in towns and cities will enforce a limit of 30km/h.
Apart from the more populated areas of Auckland and Wellington, multi lane motorways are not common in New Zealand. The main highways throughout most of the country are only one lane in each direction. There are many junctions from main roads to river access points, scenic areas and private roads so you’ll often have drivers slowing down when you may not expect it.
There can be a lot of agricultural vehicles in some areas and often farm animals are moved along the road. If you start to see signs warning you of animals on the road and you hardly ever see any, don’t become complacent as the next time you speed around the corner you may be confronted with a road full of sheep and nowhere to go……
Parking
You must park in the direction of travel – e.g. if you see a space on the other side of the road, don’t cross into the oncoming lane and reverse into the space – you will probably get a ticket. Also be careful that you don’t park over a fire hydrant or something – a friend recently got a ticket when doing that and there was no warning sign in place!
Take Your Time
There’s a lot to see in New Zealand, and a lot of places to pull off for a rest and refreshment. Take advantage of them and take your time. The roads here can be narrow and hilly and it may not be easy to pass others. It can take a bit longer to cover the distance than you may expect so take this into consideration. If you’re travelling 300km, don’t assume you’ll be doing 100km/h and it’ll take you just over 3 hours – there are probably a lot of towns and villages on the way where you’ll have to slow down. Plan accordingly and leave plenty of time.
Driving with a Campervan
Campervans are big. Campervans are heavy. New Zealand is hilly. If you’re driving a van, campervan or motorhome, pull over now and again if you are causing a hold up and there will be less chance of someone behind you pushing to overtake you. Be a considerate driver.
Winter Driving
Although it’s called the ‘Desert Road’ (to the east of the Tongariro National Park), and the main road South from Taupo, it’s often affected by snow and ice, particularly in the winter. This road is no exception – be prepared for winter. Winter can be harsh in New Zealand particularly in the central North Island and South Island. Be prepared for snow and ice. Some access roads to ski resorts are steep and you may be forced to put on chains to access them, or have a 4×4
Police and Speed Cameras
There can be a lot of police on the roads in New Zealand, particularly around holiday periods. There are also speed cameras dotted around. In the UK, speed cameras can be really obvious as sometimes have warning signs and covered with bright striped – don’t expect the same here.
Insurance
Car insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand although most people have it. Bear this in mind when you take the risk when hiring a car or campervan and carefully consider whether you want to take out the entire insurance package.
Driving Licences
You can drive in New Zealand using many driving licences or an international driving licence. If you stay in the country for over 12 months you’ll have to get a New Zealand driving licence.
Conclusion
Driving in New Zealand can be very relaxing compared to other countries – there are less people around, and less built up areas. Despite this there are the exceptions above to remember, particularly the give way rule which causes a lot of confusion to newcomers. New Zealand has to be one of the most enjoyable counties to do a self drive tour around, so hopefully with these tips, you have a safe and hassle free experience.
If you are coming over here for a longer period, please check out our guides to Buying a Used Car or Campervan in New Zealand, or Renting a Campervan.
You’re considering hiring a camper van in New Zealand but you don’t know what you want. Are they difficult to drive? Expensive to run? Are they slow? This guide to hiring a camper van in New Zealand will guide you through many of the things to consider. This guide will only deal with renting a camper van – if you are interested in buying one either for backpacking, or for longer term use, check out the guide to buying a used car of campervan instead (coming soon!).
Although it may seem crazy for a lot of countries, many long term budget travellers and backpackers in New Zealand buy used cars or campervans (motorhomes or smaller) to get around. There’s a huge choice of vehicles imported from Japan, auto and manual, diesel and petrol, and cars and vans. Optional (but recommended) insurance is cheap and it opens up a lot of unique places to stay on route. Here’s the lowdown to help get the banger of your dreams. (grab a coffee – its a long article!)
If you have had a look around for a camper van and can’t find what you’re looking for and have a bit more time you could consider buying a ‘blank’ van. This is a van that hasn’t been converted in any way such as well serviced ex-tradesmans van and converting yourself, or using a specialist company such as Vantastic Interiors in Auckland. This may end up being a bit more expensive as you’ll have to buy all the stoves, cutlery etc on top of your costs, but you could end up with a van that’s much easier to sell, and in better condition. This option is better if you are hanging around a city doing temp work and have time to play with, although some people have managed to convert vans using their downtimes at working at places like WOOF’ing farms which have had wood and equipment to use. I’d only recommend this if you have an appropriate background.
Backpacker Car Market Victoria Street – just down from the playing fields in an small open air car park across from Victoria Park Market (corner of Hasley St / Gaunt St). On Saturday morning, this market is geared towards backpackers. On site inspection services are available. Get here on Saturday early to get the first viewings and before people try taking their car to Ellerslie the following day. 
Kiwi Experience are one of the better known backpacker tour buses……but not always for the right reasons. Kiwi Experience travel in large groups, in large buses and can dominate a destination or accommodation venue they stop over in. Ideal for younger backpackers who want the party crowd.
Magic buses also tend to be large coaches but they sell themselves on having less enforced overnight stays, and a bigger network of destinations with daily departures year round. Passes include options with a ‘coach and jet pass’ so you can get a domestic flight to your start location – e.g. if you were starting in Auckland and finishing the coach tour in Christchurch.
Of course you could still use the more standard bus networks to get around New Zealand like Intercity Coachlines as it is still comprehensive and covers all the ‘big ticket’ areas. There are other key companies around such as Tranzit that you can use for bus tours as well but you won’t get the same ‘travelling’ experience as the more upbeat budget 
tours above. At the end of the day it all comes down to what experience you want, and how much you want to have planned for you or not. Although all the big companies above will try to get you on tours and into hostels you are still free to use most of them just as a means of transport, but you won’t be getting the most out of them that way.
The majority of people travelling through New Zealand takes either the Interislander or Bluebridge ferries across the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton, however there is an alternative way of crossing – Sounds Air. What better way to cross than a 35/40 minute flight across the strait?