Driving Differences: Australia vs New Zealand Explained
Driving in Australia and New Zealand presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the approach to overtaking vehicles. Navigating these differences is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on the roads of these stunning countries.
Lanes
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
new zealand:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
new zealand:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in New Zealand |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Turns
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
australia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay