The complete New Zealand driving and rental guide
Speed Limit and Traffic Signs
In New Zealand, driving is on the left with overtaking on the right. New Zealand has the same system of signs and road code as you would find in the United Kingdom. During winter, especially in the mountains or on South Island, driving can be tricky. Therefore snow chains are highly recommended when renting a car at this season.
Speed LimitThere are speed limits of 100 km/h on highways and 50 km/h in urban areas unless signs say otherwise.
Traffic SignsThere are three major types of signs in New Zealand: compulsory, warning and information signs. Here are some of the regulatory signs that you may often see in New Zealand.
Stop
Give Way
No U-turn
30 km/h Speed Limit
No StoppingWarning signs are diamond-shaped with yellow or green background.
60 km/h Speed Limit Ahead
Merging Traffic from Right 
Road Bump
Watch for Large Animals (Cattle)
Railway CrossbuckInformation signs are in rectangular shape with a white background.
Left Turn at Any Time With Care
Cyclists Cross Here With Care (to the Left)Further information on signs for driving in New Zealand can be found in this booklet.
Seatbelt and Child Safety
Seatbelt LawsThe driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers under 15 years wear seat belts. Passengers aged 15 and over are responsible for putting seat belts on themselves.
Booster Seat LawsAll children under 7 must use an approved child restraint appropriate for their age and size.
You must correctly secure children aged between 7 and 8 in an approved child restraint if one is available in the vehicle. If not, in any child restraint or safety belt that is available.
For children aged between 8 and 14, a safety belt must be used. If not available, they must travel in the back seat.
Parking, Fuel and Toll
Parking· Forbidden Parking
You cannot park your car in the following spots:
- Along the broken yellow lines along the side of the curb, since it means that parking is not permitted
- Near a corner, curve, hill, traffic island or intersection, if it will stop other people from seeing along the road
- On, or closer than 5 metres to a fire hydrant, unless somebody who can move the vehicle stays with it
- In front of or closer than 1 metre to a vehicle entrance
- On or closer than 6 metres to an intersection, unless there are parking spaces or a notice telling you that you can park there
· Parking Signs
Parking signs in New Zealand are marked with numbers indicating how long you can park the car and an arrow to indicate directions. Some are specified with the date of the week as well.
· Paid Parking
All machines accept New Zealand coins, and some of them have been introduced with credit cards and TXT-a-Park payment methods. Currently, you still need to go for Pay-and-Display parking. However, all machines will be upgraded by March 2018 to include Pay By Plate technology, which allows you to enter your vehicle’s registration plate number directly on the machine and pay for it by credit card, debit card, coins or TXT-a-Park. Note that there is a 50-cent fee for credit card or TXT-a-Park transaction.
(Image from Stuff.co.nz)
Fuel PricesThe average gasoline price in New Zealand in November 2017 is $2.22 per litre, while it is of $1.47 for diesel.
TollThere are three toll roads in New Zealand: the Northern Gateway Toll Road north in Auckland, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road in Tauranga.
(Image from nzta.govt.nz)How much you should pay depends on your car type. You can pay the tolls by debit or credit cards, POLi, and cash.
Debit or credit card
You can use your Visa or Mastercard to buy or pay a Pay & Go toll.
POLi
If you have Internet banking with ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB Bank, Westpac or Bank Direct, then you can buy or pay a Pay & Go toll (external link) using Payment Online (POLi).
Note: POLi is not available for business internet banking customers.
Cash
If you prefer to pay with cash (or by debit/credit card) you can pay your tolls at selected service stations (a transaction fee of $1.20 per transaction will apply).
Be aware that as a car renter, not paying for the toll fee will result in the car hire company paying it for you and collecting the toll fee along with an add-on of management fee (note that it can sometimes be costly) from your credit card.
Traffic Violation
DUI LawsIf you are 20 or over, you must not drive if you have consumed more than the legal alcohol limit, which is 250 micrograms per litre of breath or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood (0.05%). There is a zero tolerance for alcohol if you are under 20.
Traffic FinesIn New Zealand, exceeding the speed limit results in an infringement fine range from $30 to $630. The amount of the infringement fine will depend on the difference between the actual and legal speed limit.
As for parking, an infringement notice can be issued if a vehicle is parked illegally on public land, or in breach of what a parking sign says. In some circumstances, the vehicle can also be towed away if it is obstructing traffic.
Normally, there will be a website or hotline number on the front or back of the ticket as well as the reason for the violation fine and the relevant voucher number. Please be aware that you can log onto the website or call the hotline and follow the guidelines to pay the ticket.
Failure to pay tickets will result in the car hire company paying them on the renter’s behalf, and debit the renter credit card for the fine amount plus an administration fee. Please note that you can always contact QEEQ’ 24/7 customer service team for help if you have questions concerning this matter.
Driving Licence and Age Requirements
At the time of rental in New Zealand, all drivers must present a full and valid driving licence from the renters country of residence and the licence should be held for at least 1 or 2 years ( policies may vary depending on car hire companies). An International Driving Permit is highly recommended for international drivers. If your domestic driving licence is not printed in English (Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic etc), an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English is required when you drive in New Zealand.
Minimum age in New Zealand is 21 years (age may vary depending on car category) and the maximum is 80 years of age. If you're 21-25, you are likely to have to pay a young driver fee. If you're 65 or older, you may have to pay a senior driver fee.
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No U-turn
(Image from nzta.govt.nz)
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Frequently asked questions
- Q1.What is an insurance excess？The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ. - Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup. - Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email. - Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options. - Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.
Any question? Just visit our Help Page.
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