• All heavy vehicles are limited to 90 km/h unless otherwise stated below
  • School buses are limited to 80 km/h
  • Passenger vehicles towing trailers are limited to 90 km/h
  • For heavy vehicles without suspension between the wheels and the chassis, the speed is limited to 45 km/h
  • Towed motorcycles and ATVs (quads) with faulty mechanisms are limited to 30 km/h.
  • Motorcycles or ATVs towing a trailer weighing more than half their weight are limited to 40 km/h.
  • Vehicles towing another vehicle without a rigid towing system (such as ropes or a belt) are limited to 50 km/h.
  • Vehicles towing another vehicle with a rigid towing system are limited to 90 km/h
  • Drivers with a restricted or full car license who are towing an agricultural vehicle and trailer for agricultural purposes are restricted to 40 km/h.
  • Drivers with a full car license who are operating a road train with a trailer for non-agricultural purposes are restricted to 30 km/h.
  • Mopeds are generally mechanically limited to around 50 km/h on flat roads.

Some areas may have different speed limits, for example, a shared pedestrian zone has a 10 km/h limit, some urban and residential roads are limited to 30 or 40 km/h (e.g. Ponsonby Road in Auckland is 40 km/h), some roads with little urbanisation are limited to 60–80 km/h (e.g. Hibiscus Coast Highway is 70 km/h), and some rural roads are limited to 80–90 km/h (e.g. most of State Highway 2 from the SH1 junction to the SH25 Coromandel junction).

Look for speed limit signs – different roads have different speed limits. Sometimes you need to drive slower than the limit to drive safely, for example in rain or fog. You must not drive faster than 90 km/h if you are driving a vehicle weighing more than 3500 kg or towing another vehicle, such as a boat, van or trailer – even on a road marked 100 km/h.

Here are examples of some speed limit signs
These signs tell you that there is a sharp turn or curve ahead, and what speed is safe and comfortable for it. The arrows show in which direction the turn is.

Speed ​​limit in New Zealand 110 km/h

Some sections of New Zealand motorways have a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h for cars and motorcycles without trailers; the limit for heavy vehicles remains at 90 km/h. These roads are newer roads with at least two lanes in each direction without significant curves, separated by a median barrier and on-ramp and off-ramp (no direct access to the area from the road).

In some areas the speed limit is lifted and you will see this white sign with a black stripe. This means that the speed limit on that section of road is 100 km/h. However, this does not mean that 100 km/h is safe. These signs are usually used in rural areas. and where there may be hazards around the corner, such as cattle on the road. When you see this sign, drive according to the conditions, but do not exceed 100 km/h.
Speed ​​limits may be temporary if there is a sign below them.

Speeding in New Zealand: penalty points and fines

If you break the speed limit (i.e. go over the speed limit) and are caught, you will receive a fine. If you are caught by a police officer, you will also receive penalty points.

The following penalty points are currently awarded for speeding violations:

General description of the offensePenalty points
Exceeding the established speed limit by no more than 10 km/h.10
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h, but not more than 20 km/h20
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h, but not more than 30 km/h35
Speeding by more than 30 km/h, but not more than 35 km/h40
Speeding more than 35 km/h50
Using equipment that interferes with the operation of the speedometer on a vehicle25
Presence in the vehicle of equipment designed to interfere with the operation of the speedometer25
Overspeeding for braking distance20
Exceeding the speed limit for the stopping distance on a road not marked with traffic lanes20

If you are caught speeding in New Zealand, the amount of the fine will depend on how much you exceeded the speed limit:

How much the speed limit was exceededPenalty for violation
10 km/h or less$30
11-15 km/year$80
16-20 km/year$120
21-25 km/year$170
26-30 km/year$230
31-35 km/year$300
36-40 km/year$400
41-45 km/year$510
46-50 km/year$630

Police in New Zealand have the right to stop you for any speeding. However, they have the right to reduce the speed to 10 km/h, or to 4 km/h on public holidays, for drivers who behave safely.

If you are caught speeding more than 40 km/h, you may be disqualified from driving for 28 days. If you are caught speeding more than 50 km/h, you may be disqualified from driving for 28 days and may be charged with careless, dangerous or reckless driving. This 28-day period can be extended three times and you may be disqualified from driving by a court order.

Basic traffic rules in New Zealand

Stop for the police

If the police ask you to stop your vehicle, they will pull up behind you and turn on their red and blue flashing lights and siren. You should pull over safely to the side of the road as quickly as possible and wait in your car until the police officer approaches you.

Travel time

It’s easy to think that getting to where you’re going won’t take long. Distances may seem short on a map, but our roads can be narrow, winding through mountains and hills, and some of them are unpaved gravel roads.

Keep left.

Always drive on the left side of the road. Some narrow roads have no markings to guide you. Keep left at every intersection and whenever you enter a road. Do not cut corners. Do not cross the center line except when it is safe to do so or to turn off the road.

Overtaking – detour in New Zealand

Most roads in New Zealand have one lane in each direction. Sometimes there are emergency lanes. When overtaking, use the emergency lanes – please be patient until you reach them.

A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means it is too dangerous to overtake. A double yellow center line means no one on either side of the road can overtake you.
When overtaking, you must have 100 meters of clear road in front of you for the entire time of overtaking, including the time when you have completed the overtaking.
Never overtake on or near a corner.
If you are driving slowly and there is a line of cars behind you, find a safe place to stop and let them pass.

Seat belts

By law, everyone in a vehicle in New Zealand must wear a seatbelt or child restraint – regardless of where they are seated in the car.

Fatigue

If you are tired, you are much more likely to have an accident.

  • If you are tired, you are much more at risk of having an accident.
  • Get a good night’s sleep before you get behind the wheel, especially after a long flight.
  • Take a break from driving every two hours.
  • If possible, share the driving with someone else.
  • Don’t drive during the hours you normally sleep.
  • Avoid large meals, which can cause fatigue, and drink plenty of fluids.
  • If you start to feel sleepy, stop in a safe place and try to take a 15-minute nap.
  • 30 minutes. If you feel very tired, find a place to stay for the night.

If you are very tired, find a place to stay for the night. Enjoy the scenery safely Look at the road, not the scenery. If you want to look at the scenery, find a safe place to pull off the road completely and stop. Do not stop where there are no stop signs or on dotted yellow lines.

Crossroads in New Zealand

A “Stop” sign means that you must come to a complete stop and then give way to all traffic.
The “Give Way” sign means that you must give way to all vehicles except those stopped at a “Stop” sign.
At roundabouts, you must travel clockwise and give way to vehicles on the right.

Single-lane bridges

Some roads in New Zealand have single-lane bridges. These signs warn you that there is a single-lane bridge ahead. Slow down and check for traffic going the other way. Stop if you need to give way. A small red arrow shows you in which direction you need to give way.

These two signs indicate that you must give way to traffic moving in the other direction.
This sign says that if there is no traffic, you can cross the bridge.

Mobile phones

In New Zealand, it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. If a phone is used, it must be in hands-free mode. It is illegal to text on any mobile phone while driving.

Railway crossings in New Zealand

  • If the red light is flashing, stop and continue driving only after the light stops flashing.
  • If you see a “Stop” sign at a railroad crossing, stop and cross the tracks only when there are no trains approaching from either side.
  • If you see a “Give Way” sign, slow down and be prepared to stop, and only cross the tracks when there are no trains.

Unpaved or gravel roads in New Zealand

Unpaved roads can be slippery. Keep to the left and slow down. Slow down even more when vehicles are coming towards you, as dust can make it difficult to see and rocks can break the windshield.

Sharing the road

You should watch out for pedestrians crossing the road, especially at crosswalks and intersections. When approaching crosswalks:

  • Reduce your speed and be prepared to stop in front of any pedestrians who are on, stepping on, or waiting for a crosswalk.
  • If there is no raised traffic island in the middle of the crossing, stop and give way to pedestrians at any section of the crossing.
  • Wait until the pedestrian has crossed the road in front of you and is outside your vehicle before continuing.- wait until the pedestrian has crossed the road in front of you and is outside your vehicle before continuing.

Do not enter an intersection if there is not enough room for your vehicle on the other side of the intersection. Always slow down around cyclists and only pass when it is safe to do so. Try to keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters between yourself and the cyclist. If you see animals on the road, slow down and drive carefully. Do not honk your horn.

Winter driving in New Zealand

Weather conditions can change quickly, so check the weather forecast and road conditions before you travel and be flexible with your route. metservice.com nzta.govt.nz/traffic Snow and ice can make roads even more dangerous, especially near mountain passes and on roads that are not exposed to sunlight. If your car rental company has given you snow chains, make sure you know how to install them before you leave.

Pay attention to this sign of slippery surfaces on wet or icy roads – reduce speed and avoid sudden braking.

Alarms

Always signal at least three seconds before turning, changing lanes, and entering and exiting traffic.

Parking

You can be fined or towed for parking in the wrong direction. If it is a one-way street, you can park on either side of the road.

Alcohol and drugs

Don’t drink alcohol or drugs and then get behind the wheel. It is illegal to drive in New Zealand with any drug in your system that can affect your driving, even some prescription medications. There is a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20. For drivers over 20, the alcohol limit is so low that it is safest not to drink and drive at all.

Driving license requirements

You must always carry a valid driver’s licence or permit when driving. If your foreign licence or permit is not in English, you must also carry an accurate English translation. After 12 months of residence in New Zealand, you must obtain a New Zealand driver’s licence.

How to pay a fine in New Zealand?

Pay the organization that sent you the fine or ticket. Learn how to pay online, what happens if you don’t pay on time, and how to appeal them.

  1. New Zealand Police
  2. New Zealand Transport Agency
  3. City Council – parking ticket
  4. Private parking lots – tickets and evacuation

If you don’t pay on time

If you do not pay the fee by the due date, it will automatically go to court.

You will have to pay both:

  • legal costs
  • the initial fine – known as a “Penalty Notice”.
Όρια ταχύτητας και πρόστιμα στη Νέα Ζηλανδία: Πώς να πληρώσετε πρόστιμο στη Νέα Ζηλανδία; Κανόνες κυκλοφορίας στη Νέα Ζηλανδία.