Driving Advice
Discussion
Hi folks,
I am lucky enough to be spending a month in NZ this year from 17th of July to 15th of August. I am travelling with a group of four from South to North and intend to hire a relatively large camper van.
My main concern is, should I be aware of any regulations that differ in the NZ highway code than that of the UK ?
Also, are there any hazards to look out for when driving at this time of year ?
Any general advice or recommendations from people who have done this previously?
Thanks in advance!
I am lucky enough to be spending a month in NZ this year from 17th of July to 15th of August. I am travelling with a group of four from South to North and intend to hire a relatively large camper van.
My main concern is, should I be aware of any regulations that differ in the NZ highway code than that of the UK ?
Also, are there any hazards to look out for when driving at this time of year ?
Any general advice or recommendations from people who have done this previously?
Thanks in advance!
Heya Adam,
Our road rules are pretty much identical to the UK so you'll find it just fine.
We have only one major (silly) rule that differs from yours:
When you are at an intersection wanting to turn left, you must give way to oncoming traffic that's turning to the right. This is the opposite of what you're used to where if you're turning left, you have right of way over oncoming traffic turning to the right. This is explained in the pic below (dotted line indicates giving way).
Other than that, just keep your speed down around major highways. We don't have as many speed cameras as you guys in the UK do, but here they use them in sneakier positions (like on passing lanes!) and they're in unmarked vans and not signposted at all. Our Police are MUCH less discretionary than they are in the UK. They will tolerate up to 10km/h (or sometimes 10%) over the posted speed limit, but after that you're getting a ticket. They don't care that you're travelling down an empty motorway at 4am and that it's quite safe to do 120km/h+, you'll be getting a ticket the moment you stray over 110km/h (our NSL, even on motorways is 100km/h / 62mph).
Other than that, you'll enjoy your stay, we have some FANTASTIC driving roads and the best roads you'll drive for hours without seeing a cop and barely any other cars at all.
Our road rules are pretty much identical to the UK so you'll find it just fine.
We have only one major (silly) rule that differs from yours:
When you are at an intersection wanting to turn left, you must give way to oncoming traffic that's turning to the right. This is the opposite of what you're used to where if you're turning left, you have right of way over oncoming traffic turning to the right. This is explained in the pic below (dotted line indicates giving way).
Other than that, just keep your speed down around major highways. We don't have as many speed cameras as you guys in the UK do, but here they use them in sneakier positions (like on passing lanes!) and they're in unmarked vans and not signposted at all. Our Police are MUCH less discretionary than they are in the UK. They will tolerate up to 10km/h (or sometimes 10%) over the posted speed limit, but after that you're getting a ticket. They don't care that you're travelling down an empty motorway at 4am and that it's quite safe to do 120km/h+, you'll be getting a ticket the moment you stray over 110km/h (our NSL, even on motorways is 100km/h / 62mph).
Other than that, you'll enjoy your stay, we have some FANTASTIC driving roads and the best roads you'll drive for hours without seeing a cop and barely any other cars at all.
Fraster said:
August? SI ? Bring your woollies!
Could be a bit of snow around the place, make sure the camper has chains 
ETA: And don't be afraid of pulling over to let traffic past if its queuing up behind you, theres a lot which is faster than a camper on twisty roads!
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 26th March 22:47
Watch out for the over zealous Cops in unmarked cars, they make our traffic cops look like saints.Don`t be fooled by parked up camper vans at the end of over taking zones( You`ve been stuck behind that wide slow moving cattle/sheep lorry for miles and you`ve finally come to a section of duel carrage way after miles and miles.....there be waiting!.......or the dead straight enpty piece of road in the middle of know where........their be waiting!. and never ever drive anything thats blue with white strips....they seem to have issues with anything that colour,trying to catch one seemed to be the main problem!) Hi Ben, hope your doing well, I`ve still got the unpaid speeding ticket The suckers never got me, managed to jump ship before it got to court...I guess there never let me back in!
That reminds me, make sure you arrive with clean shoes and NO FOOD in your hand luggage...or you could face a large fine or even be sent home!I speak from my own experiences!
.......or the dead straight enpty piece of road in the middle of know where........their be waiting!. and never ever drive anything thats blue with white strips....they seem to have issues with anything that colour,trying to catch one seemed to be the main problem!) Hi Ben, hope your doing well, I`ve still got the unpaid speeding ticket The suckers never got me, managed to jump ship before it got to court...I guess there never let me back in!That reminds me, make sure you arrive with clean shoes and NO FOOD in your hand luggage...or you could face a large fine or even be sent home!I speak from my own experiences!
VENOM500 said:
That reminds me, make sure you arrive with clean shoes and NO FOOD in your hand luggage...or you could face a large fine or even be sent home!I speak from my own experiences!
Erm... food in any luggage. So long as the food is processed, in a sealed bag (i.e. walkers crisps, walnut whips) your fine. If it is an apple or orange or of dodgy origin ( a sammie in a plastic wrap is a no no...).. etc.. dump it.If in doubt, delclare it, and .... if it is a problem ... they will dump it for you ... without a fine...
Edited by lestag on Friday 27th March 10:27
Esprit said:
Heya Adam,
Our road rules are pretty much identical to the UK so you'll find it just fine.
We have only one major (silly) rule that differs from yours:
Our road rules are pretty much identical to the UK so you'll find it just fine.
We have only one major (silly) rule that differs from yours:
A couple of minor differences
Yellow line on your side of the center line, no overtaking, double yellow (obvious, neither u or oncoming traffice can overtake)
Yellow line on side of road no parking
ever ever Road Code here http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/index.html
Take it easy on Gravel/metal roads (loose chippings) . Lots of them here and lots of tourists fall off them and hurt their pride, or themselves
road signs are poor compared to UK , make sure you get and can read a good map or hire a tomtom/navman.
Good news , petrol's cheap compared to UK 63p/litre
Kiwi XTR2 said:
RobDickinson said:
Also only park in the direction of travel.
Right turn rule is fair old lethal not even the majority of kiwi drivers understand it.
Why is it always people born elsewhere who insist the majority of kiwi drivers don't understand itRight turn rule is fair old lethal not even the majority of kiwi drivers understand it.
Try telling me more than 50% of kiwi drivers understand they can turn left at any time onto a dual carridgeway.
Its just not true.
Kiwi XTR2 said:
RobDickinson said:
Also only park in the direction of travel.
Right turn rule is fair old lethal not even the majority of kiwi drivers understand it.
Why is it always people born elsewhere who insist the majority of kiwi drivers don't understand itRight turn rule is fair old lethal not even the majority of kiwi drivers understand it.
I love NZ to the n th degree and wouldnt want to be anywhere else but the driving is generally appalling.
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