Driving in New Zealand
car rentals wellington new zealand
Cars and Driving
ON THIS PAGE
International licences
How to apply for a licence
The Road Code
Driving lessons
Speed
Drink and Drive
Seatbelts
Accidents
Buying a car
Warrant of Fitness
Registration
Vehicle Insurance
Owning a car certainly provides you with the freedom and independence to travel around Wellington and New Zealand without relying on public transport. However there is important information that you should know before entering into such a commitment.
Most New Zealand university students find that it is too expensive to own a car. Think very carefully before buying one, because there will be additional costs like registration fees, insurance, vehicle testing fees, petrol and parking.
International licences
You must have a drivers licence to drive in New Zealand. Please ensure that you carry it with you at all times, otherwise you could receive an instant fine of $55.
An international driving permit allows you to drive in New Zealand for a maximum of one year from the date you arrive, as long as you have had this licence for more than two years. Please note that this period is not renewed if you leave the country and re-enter it again.
Your home licence must be in English.
Driving in New Zealand without an appropriate licence, is illegal:
You can be fined from $400 or up to $1,000
Your car may be impounded
If you crash or have an accident, you are unlikely to be covered by insurance
You will be forbidden to drive by police until you obtain your licence
How to apply for a New Zealand licence
Holders of an overseas drivers licence from an exempt category country need to sit the theory test – this costs approximately $50. If you are from a non-exempt category country, you will need to sit both theory and practical tests costing approximately $150. Freephone 0800 699 000 to find out about the tests and if your country is in the exempt or non-exempt category for licensing laws.
In order to pass either test, you will need to learn the New Zealand Road Code:
You need a separate licence for driving a motorbike .
The Road Code
The Road Code explains all the driving laws and rules that operate in New Zealand. It is the basis of both the theoretical and practical driving tests required to hold a New Zealand licence. It is essential to know and understand these rules before you begin driving as they may differ radically from your home country. Remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road and to always give way to traffic on your right.
Driving lessons
There are several reputable driving school companies that offer student discounts (see the Yellow Pages of the phonebook).
Speed
New Zealand roads can be deceivingly hazardous. The maximum speed is 50km/h in an urban or built up area and 100km/h on the open road. Remember that speeding can not only cost you money, but also your life.
Drink and Drive
Do not drink alcohol and drive. You can be fined up to $4,500, lose your licence, have your name published in the newspaper or possibly be imprisoned.
Seatbelts
The driver and all passengers in the car must wear seatbelts. A fine of $150 applies for every seatbelt not worn.
Accidents
If you are involved in an accident, first pull to the left of the road and find a safe parking space.
If someone is hurt, give first aid or find a phone and dial 111 for emergency services. Protect the scene to ensure that other crashes do not occur.
If no-one is injured, you can exchange details with the other party. Get the name of the driver, address, telephone number, car registration number or ‘number plate’, make of the car and name of the insurance company. You must report the accident to the Police as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours after the crash.
Buying a car
In New Zealand it is quite common to buy a second-hand car. Common sources for cars are authorised car dealers (see ‘Car Dealers’ in the Yellow Pages of your phonebook), local newspapers and webpages.
Before buying a car or motorbike, always check that it has no outstanding parking or traffic infringements. Ensure that the car is not stolen or still has a lot of money owing on it by phoning Autocheck, 0900 909 777 with the car’s registration and chassis number details. The check will cost a minimum of $5 plus GST.
To check that your car dealer is authorised, go to the Motor Vehicle Securities Registration website www.med.govt.nz/ri/mvtr.html.
It is recommended to have a car mechanically checked and approved by an authorised mechanic before you buy. The AA (Automobile Association - phone 0800 500 444 , ) , will perform a full and independent assessment that will reveal any problem with the vehicle that may be of concern. For more information on buying a used car click here.
Warrant of Fitness
Ensure that the car has a current Warrant of Fitness, or WoF as it is commonly known. This is a legal, standardised vehicle inspection that checks that the car conforms to the minimum safety requirements, normally every six months.
Registration
All vehicles on the road must also be registered – if you are caught without a warrant or registration you can be heavily fined. Registration costs $103.80 for six months or $200.10 for 12 months for a petrol driven car.
Vehicle Insurance
If you buy a vehicle, you will need vehicle insurance. There are several companies which provide this service. Insurance fees are usually higher for people under 25 years and may also depend on your driving history and the type of vehicle you own.
If your vehicle is not registered and/or does not have a current WoF, or if you are driving without a valid licence, your insurance company will not pay out if you have an accident.