New Zealand Driving Tips

For your safety and comfort we have put together some driving tips which we hope you will find useful.

The most important thing to remeber is that in New Zealand, driving is on the LEFT HAND SIDE of the road. This is the same as in the United Kingdom and Japan.

Travelling Times
The maximum speed limit for the open road in new Zealand is 100 kilometres/hour (62 miles/hour). Drivers generally travel slightly under the speed limit.

Please note that average speeds are lower and it takes longer to travel distances in new Zealand than might be expected. This is due to the hilly and mountainous nature of our countryside.

Please refer to the driving times and distances chart for typical driving times between locations. Our suggested itineraries provide for comfortable driving times between overnight locations.

Rural Driving
Many roads have gravel verges. Be mindful to keep clear of the verge, especially on corners. Some isolated roads are unsealed and use gravel as the surface. In these cases, drive slowly. Note that there are some roads which are not suitable for rental cars. We will advise you of these at the time of pick up.

During winter and early spring, some roads in the South Island and central North Island may be closed because of snow and ice. There will usually be an alternative route for you to take.

Seat Belts
It is compulsory in New Zealand that the driver and all passengers wear their seatbelts. This is an important safety requirement.

More Information
For more detailed information, you can visit the New Zealand Government Land Transport Safety Authority website. Here you will find information specifically for visitors who intend to drive in New Zealand.