Essential driving New Zealand tips: complete guide

You’re an experienced driver with heaps of driving hours in your home country and several others. You’ve heaps of experience in driving a campervan or towing a caravan too. But don’t assume that driving in New Zealand is exactly the same as driving everywhere else. The country is safe to take to the road in, but like other countries New Zealand has its own road rules and its own driving etiquette. Read our guide to safe driving in New Zealand for essential information on both.

Drive on the left

The first and most important rule! An easy one to remember for our friends from Australia, the UK, India and Japan; not so easy to adjust to for travellers from the US, almost all mainland Europe and many other countries besides. If you’ve never driven on the left hand side of the road before, practise before hiring your caravan.

Have the correct driving licence

Aussies, who make up half of all visitors to New Zealand, can drive on their Australian licence for up to 12 months, provided they drive only the class of vehicle they’re licenced for back home. The same applies for Aussies with provisional licences (although no P plates are required).

Overseas visitors to New Zealand can also drive in the country for up to 12 months with either a current driver's license from their home country or an International Driving Permit. Bear in mind that rental companies will only accept drivers aged 21 and over and who have full driving licences.

Native Kiwis can tow any trailer/caravan on aClass 1 learner or restricted licence up to 4,500kg, and up to 6,000kg on a full licence.This site has full information on towing a caravan in New Zealand.

Keep things legal – seat belts and speed limits

Drivers and their passengers *must* each wear a seat belt when their vehicle is in motion,

and children up to aged seven must be secured in an approved child seat. If you’re towing a caravan, this will of course apply to the towing vehicle, i.e. your car, but the law applies to motorhomes and campervans too (all RVs built after 1 October 20034 must have at least the same number of seat belts as there are sleeping berths).Read more about New Zealand seat belt law here.

You’ll need to stick to the speed limit too, especially if towing or driving a large vehicle.

The speed limit in New Zealand is 50kph to 100kph, which in practice means 50kph in some areas (towns and cities) and 100kph in others (rural roads and motorways). And whatever speed you’re driving at, it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in New Zealand.

Finally, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t drive any vehicle after drinking alcohol (the New Zealand legal alcohol limit is 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood for drivers over 20 years of age, and zero for drivers under 20. New Zealand is VERY tough on this, so be warned.

Be aware of New Zealand road differences

Especially in rural areas, driving in New Zealand means being road-aware. Scenic drives often cut through mountain ranges or along cliffs, where possible hazards include avalanches, high winds, rock slides, and slippery roads. In very rural regions, you might see sheep or cows wandering onto the road. Be careful! You should also carry snow chains if driving in late autumn, early spring or any time in winter.

Check for road closures too before driving any mountain passes. TheNZ Transport Agency updates regularly on closures and delays – and is a fantastic site for journey planning and driving in New Zealand generally.

Aussies will finddriving in New Zealand almost the same as driving in Australia. The main differences are road signage – particularly for parking – and insurance: policies differ between the two countries, so you’ll need to update your insurance before your trip.

Take regular breaks – and have a GPS or maps

You should do this anyway – New Zealand is too beautiful a country to rush. But planning regular breaks is an effective way to drive safely in New Zealand, as is giving yourself plenty of time to get over jetlag if you’re arriving from a country a significant distance away.

Taking regular breaks also ensures you’re still on your chosen route. Mobile phone coverage can be patchy in the countryside, especially on the South Island, so don’t rely on your phone or wifi for maps. Ask the owner of your hire vehicle if a GPS is included; hire or buy your own; and download or print maps before you set off.

Resources

Driving in New Zealand – tourist and migrant information (this website is a mine of information on New Zealand driving)

Driving on New Zealand roads – new residents and visitors

Drive safe in New Zealand – on arrival

AA Travel time and distance calculator

** Check out our ultimate guide on****how to drive a campervan**for more information!