Driving in New Zealand: Common Questions and Essential Tips

Are you curious about driving in New Zealand? A self-drive tour of scenic New Zealand is the perfect way to see this stunning country.

Driving in New Zealand will allow you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and see the sites that interest you. But beware—the New Zealand driving laws and customs are a bit different from what you may be used to in your home country. 

Here are some great tips about driving in New Zealand and things you need to know before you get behind the wheel of a rental car.

This post answers some common questions, like:

• Which side of the road do you drive on in New Zealand?
• Can I drive as soon as I arrive in New Zealand?
• What’s it like to drive in New Zealand?
• What rules do I need to know before I drive in New Zealand?

Driving in New Zealand might be a bit different than you’re used to. And there are definitely lots of things you should know before you drive in New Zealand.

However, driving is a fantastic way to explore New Zealand. Driving in New Zealand lets you travel at your own pace, venture to less-touristy spots, and set your own agenda.

We loved driving in New Zealand because having a car gave us so much freedom to go where we wanted to go and stay for as long as we wanted to. We loved the flexibility of being able to drive around this gorgeous country at our own pace.

So before you set off on your New Zealand road trip, here is everything you need to know about driving in New Zealand!

Driving in New Zealand: essential things you need to know before you go

Before arriving in New Zealand, the idea of driving in New Zealand seems intimidating—and it can be! Many of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand are windy with steep drop-offs and nonexistent shoulders. 

But New Zealand driving has its own rewards—namely those breath-taking views and the ability to go where tour busses don’t venture.

Renting a car in New Zealand gave us the freedom and flexibility to have so many adventures all over the North Island. 

So whether your New Zealand road trip will cover the North Island, South Island, or both, this guide will set you in the right direction!

I’m going to answer the most common questions and share my best travel tips for driving in New Zealand. 

FAQs on Driving in New Zealand

Do New Zealanders drive on the left or the right?

The number one question about driving in New Zealand is: What side of the road do they drive on in New Zealand?  

It’s the left! Always stay on the left side of the road in New Zealand!

This means that if you’re a British, Australian, or other left-side driver, you’ll do just fine in New Zealand—but you probably already knew that! 

If you’re an American driver or from another country that drives on the right side of the road, you’ll have a bit of an adjustment to driving on the left in New Zealand. But knowing that you drive on the left-hand side of the road in New Zealand is essential!

What to know about driving on the left side of the road?

The driver’s seat is on the right side of the car. 

The turn signal and windshield wipers are probably on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, compared to those on your car back home. The turn signal lever is on the right. The windshield wipers are on the left. 

Be sure to look to the right for oncoming traffic. (This is something to remember to do as a pedestrian as well as a driver.)

Basically, everything is opposite of how it is when you’re driving on the right side of the road. It sounds complicated, but you’ll get used to driving on the left in New Zealand. Tell yourself that the right side of the road is now the wrong side of the road.

Until it feels natural to drive on the left, take a minute when you get in the car to focus. Envision yourself driving on the left side of the road. Then just keep reminding yourself to stay on the left when driving in New Zealand. 

Who can drive in New Zealand?

Driving in New Zealand as a tourist is pretty easy. You simply need a current, valid international driver’s license or an international driving permit to drive in New Zealand. 

Your overseas driver’s license must be in English, or you must have a translated driver’s license. The translation must be notarized or translated by an authorized service. 

You will be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. 

You must have your overseas license with you whenever you are driving. If you’ve been in the New Zealand for twelve months or longer, you must obtain a New Zealand driver license. 

As Americans driving in New Zealand, all we had to do was present our American driver’s licenses at the rental car company, and we were good to go.

How old do you need to be to hire a car in New Zealand?

You will need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in New Zealand. If you are younger than 25 you may have to pay a young driver fee, and if you are older than 65, you may have to pay a senior driver fee. 

Can I drive immediately on arrival in New Zealand?

Never drive when you’re tired. Visitors to New Zealand shouldn’t drive immediately after arriving in New Zealand. Being exhausted from a long flight plus having to drive on the left side of the road is a recipe for disaster.

You will be much better off taking a taxi or shuttle to a hotel in whatever city you land in, catching up on sleep, and getting adjusted to the time change. Then, after you’ve had plenty of sleep, go pick up a rental car. 

What’s the weather like in New Zealand?

The weather varies significantly by season and location. Expect heavy snow and ice in winter in New Zealand, especially in areas of high altitude. Before driving in snow, you need to have snow chains put on your tires. 

New Zealand gets lots of rain throughout the year. Be prepared for unexpected rain showers. You will probably experience light showers or heavy rain at some point in your trip, depending on your location and the season.

Also, winds in New Zealand can be very strong, so know that you may have to drive more slowly in windy conditions, particularly if you are driving a camper van or other large vehicle. 

Weather can change quickly. In any season, be prepared for rain or fog. 

What are the roads like in New Zealand?

We found roads in New Zealand generally to be in very good condition. There are some multilane motorways in urban areas and larger cities, but most roads are two lanes—one lane in each direction.

In more rural areas, many roads have no shoulder and often don’t have guardrails. You’ll also find gravel roads with uneven surfaces.

New Zealand’s roads are narrow, steep, and windy. Many roads and even bridges are one lane. So NZ driving is not really for the faint-of-heart, but it’s not unsafe. 

Smaller rural roads are likely to be unpaved gravel, also called unsealed roads or metal roads. And even smaller roads are likely to also have potholes and rough patches. These are best left to the four-wheel-drive vehicles and NOT an average rental car. 

How do you let cars pass in New Zealand?

Many New Zealand roads are too narrow and windy to have safe passing lanes. So two-lane roads (one lane going each direction) will have a short pull-off area where you can pull over and slow down to let faster drivers pass you. 

Right before these areas, there will be a sign for a slow vehicle lane or passing lane. Do everyone a favor: keep a lookout for this sign and be ready to pull over. 

Many of these areas are quite brief, so if you are a slower driver, be aware so that the faster drivers behind you have a chance to go around you. 

Even if you don’t see a place to pull over, be a courteous driver by keeping to the far left side of the road to let others pass you safely.

Especially if you are driving slowly or are driving a larger vehicle than you’re used to, just let everyone else pass you! You’ll feel so much less stressed without a long line of impatient drivers behind you. 

Is there good cell phone service in New Zealand?

Cell coverage in urban areas is fine. But many parts of New Zealand, especially the more rural areas, have poor or nonexistent cell phone reception. 

You will need to download any music or audiobooks you want to listen to on your drive. Take advantage of your data plan when you’re in a more urban area with WiFi to download what you’ll want on your trip, because you will not be able to rely on streaming when you’re driving between cities in New Zealand. 

Also, if you would like navigational assistance, I highly recommend buying a GPS system and downloading New Zealand maps before you leave your home country.

Don’t forget to bring a phone charger for the car so you can play your downloaded audio book, podcast, or music!

Do I need a GPS in New Zealand?

Yes! Our best investment for our trip was a GPS.  We bought it before our trip and downloaded the New Zealand (and Australia) maps. This little unit was our best friend! It was one of best things on our packing list!

Even though New Zealand is a relatively small country, there are many rural areas with limited cell service. So don’t expect to depend on being able to access Google Maps when you’re in the car.

Our GPS allowed us to go places where there was no cell service, so we wouldn’t have been able to use our phone maps, even if we had wanted to activate our international calling plan.  

You can also rent a GPS from most car companies for a minimal charge. However, if you plan to do much driving, buying your own GPS is cheaper in the long run. 

For us, it made sense to buy the GPS, and we were very happy that we did. We drove through some pretty isolated areas, and we absolutely relied on our GPS to get us to our destinations!

What are the NZ driving rules?

For driving in New Zealand, driving laws to ensure your (and everyone else’s) safety are pretty standard. 

The road rules for safe travel in New Zealand include: 

• Everyone in the car must wear seat belts. This includes the driver and passengers in the front and rear seats.
• Children must be in an approved child restraint.
• Obey the speed limit. This is typically 100 kph on the open road and 50 kph in urban areas. Always pay attention to the speed limit signs.
• Stop at red traffic lights and stop signs. If the traffic light is yellow, you must stop unless you are too close to the light to do so safely. Failure to stop can result in a ticket or fine from a police officer.
• Don’t turn left at a red light. In North America, you can turn right on a red light. There is no corresponding left turn rule in New Zealand.
• Observe yield signs. Many roads and bridges are narrow and require that traffic from one direction yield to the other.
• Don’t use a cell phone for talking or texting while driving. It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving in New Zealand.
• Don’t drink (or use drugs) and drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.
• Never cross a solid yellow line. These lines indicate restricted visibility or a hidden danger. Learn more about what different road markings mean here.

What is the speed limit in New Zealand?

As in other countries, the speed limits vary. The speed limit is always marked with a sign.  

The maximum speed limit is 100 kph, and that’s the standard speed on motorways. In towns, the speed limit is usually 50 kph.  Expect speed traps and hidden speed cameras. There are high fines for speeding. 

In bad weather or when road conditions are poor, drive below the speed limit. Especially when driving on a one-lane road, drive slowly enough that you can stop if you encounter another vehicle. 

Also pay attention to signs indicating safe speeds on curves. Curves are not always on an even radius and may get progressively tighter. Slow down for curves and follow the speed recommendations on the signs. 

Speed limits are the maximum speed you can drive–not the target speed you should drive. Always drive at the speed that feels safe to you and is appropriate for traffic, road conditions, and weather.

How do roundabouts work in New Zealand?

Roundabouts (or traffic circles) are common in New Zealand. If you’re a tourist from the US, they may take some getting used to. Traffic in the roundabout has the right of way. Traffic flows clockwise. 

Signaling at a roundabout can be confusing. If you are immediately turning left, you signal with your left blinker.

If you are going straight through, you don’t signal when entering the roundabout. Signal left as you pass the exit before the one you will take.

And if you are traveling more than halfway around the roundabout so you are effectively turning right, you signal first with your right blinker, then signal left as you pass the exit before the one you’ll take. 

Are New Zealand road signs easy to understand?

Yes, it’s easy to understand what NZ road signs are telling you. Most signs use international symbols, so they should be familiar to tourists from all over the world.

You can review New Zealand road signs and learn more about New Zealand’s road rules at the New Zealand Transport Agency.

How do I drive across a one-lane bridge in New Zealand?

One-lane bridges are everywhere in New Zealand. As you approach a one-way bridge, you will see road signs indicating who has the right-of-way to drive across the bridge and who has to yield.

The side with the big white arrow has the right of way. The other sign will have a red arrow and say “Give Way.”

Be sure you have the right-of-way before crossing, and if you have to yield, be sure no one is coming before you start across!

Do I need to watch out for trains?

Yes! Stop at all railway crossings. Not all crossings have warning lights and barrier arms. Always check for oncoming trains instead of assuming it’s safe to drive through. 

Is it difficult to drive in New Zealand?

Driving in New Zealand isn’t difficult if you are an experienced driver. If you drive infrequently and aren’t used to driving on the left, you may find NZ roads challenging. 

Can I drive at night in New Zealand? 

Driving at night in a city in New Zealand is just like driving in any other urban area. 

Driving night in rural areas of New Zealand might seem a bit more intimidating, but you absolutely can drive at night in New Zealand. 

If you’re driving at night, you just need to exercise a bit more caution. Main roads in NZ are generally in good condition. You’ll also find lots of roads that are also narrow, windy, and steep. Visibility isn’t always great, even in the daytime. 

There’s always the possibility of encountering sheep or cattle on the road, so drive a bit slower and be careful. Use the high beams on your front lights for better visibility—but remember to switch to low beams when another car approaches.

What are travel times like in New Zealand?

It is very easy to underestimate New Zealand travel times. I swear there were times when we’d been driving for an hour, yet our arrival time had actually gotten later. Long drives sometimes felt like a kind of time warp. 

New Zealand travel distances seem long because you might be driving for long distances without opportunities to stop.

Also, the steep, curvy roads mean you won’t be driving as quickly as you would on a flat, straight highway.

Plus, the fact that you’ll want to stop to look at the valleys, lakes, mountains, and ocean views around every turn, so you’ll want to take your time. 

When you’re planning your road trip and calculating drive times, it’s so much better to allow extra time for the drive than to feel hurried through New Zealand or stressed about getting to your destination on time.

Allow plenty of time and enjoy the spectacular New Zealand scenery. It’s a good idea to take regular breaks, especially on a long drive.

Plan to stop in one of the many charming small towns in New Zealand for a coffee and slice (a dessert bar with endless variations) or a little souvenir shopping.

Remember there will be more people traveling and more vehicles on the roads in the summer, on holidays, and on weekends. Expect travel to take even longer during those peak travel times. 

Check out this distance calculator when you’re planning your travel times.

How do I buy petrol in New Zealand?

It’s easy to find petrol stations in cities or towns, so plan to top up there. 

If you’re driving in rural areas, be prepared for gas stations to be few and far between. Calculate the distance you’ll be driving before you leave to be sure you’ll have a place to stop for petrol before your tank gets dangerously low. Remember that the steeper hills will require more fuel than the flatter areas. 

You can usually pay for petrol with cash or card. In more rural areas you may find card-only machines, so be sure your credit card works before you leave an urban area. You may also find petrol pumps that are at, but not run by, convenience stores. In those situations, the pumps are probably card only. 

What does petrol cost in New Zealand? 

Petrol and diesel are both quite dear in New Zealand, so know it’s going to be costly to fill your tank. 

As is the case everywhere, prices fluctuate constantly. In our experience, petrol cost about double the price of gas in the United States, but it’s not always quite that expensive. For perspective, the price of petrol in NZ tends to be a bit under the price of petrol in European countries. 

Petrol prices vary slightly from station to station and from town to town, as they do elsewhere in the world.

You can look for the “best price” in a urban area where you have some choices, but if you’re in the middle of nowhere, just be prepared to pay whatever the going rate is at the one available station. 

Are there toll roads in New Zealand?

There are three toll roads in New Zealand, all on the North Island. They are the Northern Gateway Toll Road North in Auckland, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road.

It’s a good idea to ask your car rental company about how to pay tolls when you pick up your rental car.

Final thoughts about driving in New Zealand

You don’t have to drive in New Zealand. You can get around the islands by using a combination of planes, trains, busses, and ferries.

Public transport is readily available, especially in cities. You can book tours to take you pretty much anywhere public transportation won’t go. 

However, taking self-driving holidays in New Zealand is one of the most relaxing ways to see the country. You can set your own agenda, go to places that interest you, and stay as long as you like.

If you’re traveling with several people, like we did, or for an extended period of time, you might find that traveling by car is the best way to see New Zealand. Car rental is easy enough, and you can choose a car (or campervan) according to your budget.

We personally found travelling by car to be the easiest and most family friendly way to see New Zealand. With a little preparation, you can drive in New Zealand with confidence and have the New Zealand trip of a lifetime that you’ve been dreaming of!

I hope these New Zealand driving tips are helpful for you when planning your trip to New Zealand. Remember to stay to the left, be prepared, take your time, and enjoy the journey!