Buckle up! Seat belts save lives.

By law, everyone travelling in the vehicle (front and back seats) must use a seatbelt or approved child restraint. Child restraints are available from all Kiwi Direct car rental locations.

In New Zealand we drive on the left. That means the centre line is always on the right or drivers side of the car. On multi-lane motorways and open road passing lanes, slower traffic should always use the far left lane.

Most roads in New Zealand are two-lane roads on a single carriageway, which means there is no barrier between you and oncoming traffic.

Always stay left and do not cross the centre line.

On the open road, the maximum speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour. In cities and towns, the maximum is 50 kilometres per hour.

Exceptions occur, for example around road works, so be alert for signs (on the left of the road) that tell you the maximum allowable speed.

Our advice is to keep within the speed limit at all times. Mobile speed cameras can be found throughout the country and are normally placed in unmarked vehicles.

New Zealand Police enforce a low tolerance approach to speeding drivers and if you are caught speeding in a rental car you are responsibile for any fines incurred and any administration charges related to the fine.

Do not drive a motor vehicle if you have been drinking alcohol. Random breath testing is carried out in New Zealand and heavy penalties and fines apply if convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.

For drivers over 20 years of age, 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.

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your driving, so our advice is: if you drink any alcohol, don’t drive.

A driver must not, while driving a vehicle:

• use a mobile phone to make, receive, or terminate a telephone call.
• use a mobile phone to create, send, or read a text message.
• use a mobile phone to create, send, or read an email.
• use a mobile phone to create, send, or view a video message.

A driver may, while driving a vehicle:

• use a mobile phone to make, receive, or terminate a telephone call if the phone does not require the driver to hold or manipulate it to make, receive, or terminate the call (i.e. if you have a hands-free kit).

The only other exception is if the driver is using the phone to make an emergency 111 or *555 call.

New Zealand roads cover some impressive terrain and can pass through amazing scenery, but they can also be treacherous in certain weather conditions.

Always drive to the conditions and reduce speed when necessary.

Winter driving conditions in New Zealand can be very tricky, especially through mountainous regions. The following are a few tips for safe winter driving:

• Drive with the headlights on whenever visibility is poor.
• Take special care with following distances and speed.
• Fit snow chains when driving in snow (but do not exceed 25kph when snow chains are fitted)
• Beware of Black Ice on the roads; look for road signs warning of ice and be cautious in areas of permanent shadow.
• Winter sun is low in the sky and can cause prolonged glare. Use sunglasses when driving and keep your windscreen clean and check the washer reservoir has been refilled.
• Reduce speed when driving in rain and increase braking distance.
• Use low gear when driving through light surface flooding.

STOP – You must stop. Check for vehicles and give way to traffic approaching from the right or left.

GIVEWAY – Slow down and stop if traffic is approaching from the right or left, and follow the Give Way Rules.

Learn more about New Zealand Road Signs at the New Zealand Transport Agency website.

All traffic turning right must give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction and turning left. At an uncontrolled intersection, all traffic from the terminating road (bottom of the ‘T’) will have to give way to all traffic on a continuing road (top of the ‘T’).

Basically, left turning vehicles have right-of-way unless a road sign is present to indicate otherwise.

Learn more about the Give Way rules in New Zealand by visiting the New Zealand Transport Agency website. The following pages contain very important information:

• The Give Way Rules
• Giving Way at Intersections
• Giving Way at Roundabouts
• Giving Way at Railway Level Crossings
• Giving Way on One-Lane Bridges

You must not pass another moving vehicle where a solid yellow line appears on your side of the centre line.

On the open road, be patient and wait for passing lanes, which make it easy and safe to pass slow vehicles.

On a motorway you must not:

• walk or cycle.
• stop your vehicle (unless in an emergency).
• make a U Turn.

When changing lanes on a motorway, always indicate for at least 3 seconds and check the road is clear before changing lanes.
If you need to make an emergency stop:

• signal your intention to stop using indicators or hazard warning lights.
• stop your vehicle as far as possible to the left side of the road.
• turn on your hazard warning lights until help arrives.

Country roads may have hidden dangers. Be on the look out for loose stones, ice and single-lane bridges.

When you reach a scenic attraction, don’t drive and look at the same time. Never stop on a corner, no matter how tempting the view.

And in a country with 40 million sheep, keep a look out for livestock being herded along the roads. If you find yourself sharing the road with sheep or cows, proceed very slowly and if required stop until the farmer has cleared the road.

The following areas are classified as prohibited when driving our Kiwi Direct vehicles:

• Skipper’s Canyon (Queenstown)
• Ninety Mile Beach (Northland)
• any unformed roads and/or roads other than tarseal or metal; including but not limited to beaches, driveways, or any surface likely to damage the vehicle.

If you’re involved in an accident, please do the following:

• Stop and check if anyone has been injured.
• Give all the practical help you can and call an ambulance (dial 111).
• Immediately notify Rental car hire with Kiwi Direct on 0800 99 1000 (refer to the Rental Agreement for contact information).
• If Police Officers have not attended the accident, and injury is involved, you must contact the Police within 24 hours and notify them of the accident.
• If the accident involves damage to property (e.g. a farmer’s fence) and the owners cannot be located, contact the Police within 48 hours.

For your protection, you should not admit liability under any circumstances.

Always familiarise yourself with the vehicle’s safety equipment, including hazard lights, windshield wipers, the spare tire, seat belts and door locks. Make sure the vehicle always has plenty of petrol.

Refer to the NZ Transport Agency’s Current New Zealand Highway Conditions for the most up to date information regarding road conditions.