Driving and the Rules of the Road
An introduction to what you must (and must not) do when driving in New Zealand...
In New Zealand a learner driving licence can be applied for at the age of 15. Severe penalties are imposed on drivers caught without a licence or driving outside the restriction of the licence they hold. The police in New Zealand are strict, and harsh penalties are given to drivers breaking the law or otherwise driving in a dangerous manner. Penalties include large fines, forfeit of driving licence or car and going to prison. The police can suspend a driver's licence on the spot for 28 days if they consider the driver to be committing an offence that puts the lives of other road users at risk.
Rules and Regulations
- Drive on the left in New Zealand
- It is illegal to drive while using a hand-held mobile phone or to read, write or send text messages while driving
- A valid driving licence must be carried at all times when driving
- Give way to any traffic which is approaching from the right
- Overtake on the right
- It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
- Car insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand but it is advisable to have insurance cover
Seat belts
A driver is responsible for ensuring that children under the age of 15 use a suitable restraint at all times:
- Under the age of five a child must use an approved child seat appropriate for their weight and size. It is illegal to restrain a child in this age range with a seat belt alone
- Between the ages of five and seven a child seat should be used if possible. If not, then they must be restrained with a seat belt
- For more information on car seats and restraints for children: Click here
A seat belt need not be worn under the following circumstances:
- The driver is unable to reach the controls when wearing a seat belt
- The driver has a doctor's certificate stating that they have a medical condition that requires them not to use a seat belt
- When a driver is reversing and their view is impaired while wearing a seat belt