Welcome to New Zealand! At Mike Turfus Motors we are proud of the safe and reliable vehicles we sell - we want you to stay safe on the road, which is why we have included the below information specifically for new migrants to assist them in safe driving on our roads.

New resident drivers
Are you planning to drive in New Zealand? We have some different driving rules and behaviours to those used in your home country. New Zealand's road rules are enforced by the Police and there are penalties if you do not follow them.

Driver licence
You must have a current and valid driver licence to drive in New Zealand.
  • You can use a current and valid driver licence from another country* or an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to one year.
  • If you are planning to stay and drive in New Zealand for more than one year, you should apply for a New Zealand driver licence as soon as possible after your arrival. Contact 0800 822 422 to find out how to apply.
* If your driver licence is not in English, you should have an IDP or English translation of your licence so that the New Zealand Police can read the details on your licence.

Before you drive
Before you drive in New Zealand, get as much information as possible about our road rules and driving conditions.

People who are new to New Zealand often find the following road rules and situations the most difficult: driving on the left, roundabouts, giving way to other road users, merging on motorways, watching out for walkers and cyclists, adjusting to different speed zones and parking.

It is important to follow these steps:
  • Be a passenger - ask someone who is used to driving in New Zealand to take you for a drive to explain some of the road rules and driving behaviours.
  • Your first drive - ask someone to be your passenger for your first drive or arrange some driving courses with a driving instructor. There are also advanced driving courses available (Street Talk and AA Defensive Driving courses) which will teach you how to drive safely in New Zealand.
  • Safety belts - in New Zealand you and your passengers must always wear a safety belt.
Drive to the conditions
It is important that you do not exceed the speed limits (see Speed limits below), BUT you should also drive according to the road and the driving conditions.

Many New Zealand roads are narrow, winding or hilly which reduces your ability to see what is coming up ahead. Some are unsealed and dusty, particularly in rural areas, where you may see farm animals being moved along rural roads.

The weather in winter can make the roads slippery and icy and can also make it difficult to see oncoming traffic. In New Zealand it is not uncommon for the weather to be unpredictable, even in summer. Adjust your driving to the conditions you are experiencing, including reducing your speed - it is much better to slow down than take risks with speed. For example, if you are on open road where the speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour (km/h) but the road is slippery or the weather is foggy, drive at a safe speed which could be lower than the speed limit.

If you are travelling slower than the speed limit and there are vehicles behind you that want to pass, pull over as soon as it is safe to let them pass.

When driving at night, put your headlamps on full beam when street lighting is not adequate (usually outside the city), but not when other vehicles are coming towards you or following you. Some cars are fitted with fog lamps. These should only be used when visibility is severely reduced, but not in clear conditions.

Remember, in New Zealand we drive on the left side of the road.

Obey the road rules
The New Zealand Police are very strict on drivers who drive dangerously or break our driving laws. If you are caught, you may have to pay a fine (up to thousands of dollars) or face even more severe penalties like losing your licence, your car or even going to prison.

Common traffic offences that incur fines and penalties include:
  • driving faster than the speed limit
  • driving without an appropriate current licence
  • failing to produce a licence when requested by a policeman at the roadside
  • driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
  • not wearing a safety belt
  • driving a vehicle that does not have a current warrant of fitness, is not registered or is not safe
  • driving dangerously
  • not stopping after a crash where someone has been injured or killed.
Remember, this is just a general guide to New Zealand's road rules and driving practices. You can access more information by phoning the Land Transport Authority freephone 0800 699 000.