If you have only ever driven on the right, give yourself an easy first day and take it slowly. Most rental cars are automatic, which lets you concentrate on the side of the road rather than the gearbox.
The basics
- Drive on the LEFT. The driver sits on the right of the car.
- You cannot turn on a red light, even when the road is clear.
- Seatbelts are compulsory for everyone, and using a handheld phone is illegal.
- Speed limits are 100 km/h on open roads and 50 km/h in towns unless signed otherwise.
Give way and intersections
At a crossroads or T-junction, give way to traffic as the signs and markings show. Roundabouts run clockwise; give way to traffic already on the roundabout and to your right. Take a moment at unfamiliar junctions rather than rushing.
One-lane bridges and rural roads
Outside the cities you will meet single-lane bridges. A larger arrow on the sign means you have priority; a smaller arrow means you give way to oncoming traffic. Many roads are winding and unsealed in places, so a 100 km trip can take well over two hours. Watch for logging trucks, stock on the road, and blind corners.
Winter driving
From roughly June to September, alpine roads such as the Crown Range and the Lindis Pass can ice over. Carry snow chains in ski areas, know how to fit them, and check the NZTA Waka Kotahi road conditions for closures. Slow down on frosty mornings, especially on bridges and in shaded gullies.
Licences and fuel
- An overseas licence in English is valid for up to 12 months; otherwise carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation.
- Petrol runs roughly NZ$2.50 to NZ$3.00 per litre and is dearer in remote areas, so fill up before long empty stretches.
- Fuel stops thin out on routes like the Haast Pass and Milford Road, so plan ahead.
Plan realistic distances
The most common mistake visitors make is trying to cover too much ground. A glance at the map suggests short hops, but the reality on the ground is slower. As a rough guide:
- Auckland to Rotorua is about 230 km and takes around three hours.
- Queenstown to Milford Sound is only 290 km but takes about four hours each way.
- Christchurch to the West Coast over Arthur's Pass is a half-day with stops.
Build in time for photo stops, lunch and the slow final stretch into mountain areas. Driving tired on unfamiliar roads is a real risk, so swap drivers or break the journey.
Parking, tolls and animals
City parking is paid and enforced; use the apps or pay-and-display machines and read the signs for time limits. There are only a few toll roads, mostly in the North Island, and you pay them online rather than at a booth. On rural roads, watch for sheep, cattle and possums, especially at dawn and dusk, and never swerve hard for an animal if it risks putting you off the road.
Road rules, speed limits and conditions change with the seasons and with roadworks. Check NZTA Waka Kotahi for live conditions and confirm your rental company's terms before you set off.