Driving Differences: Belize vs. New Zealand Explained
When comparing road practices in Belize and New Zealand, distinct contrasts emerge that are crucial for ensuring safe travel. From driving on opposite sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique regulations regarding alcohol consumption, understanding these disparities is essential for a secure journey abroad. Explore the driving nuances between these two captivating countries.
Lanes
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
belize:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belize:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belize:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
new zealand:
90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
new zealand:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belize:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
belize:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Turns
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Belize | 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 right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
belize:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
belize:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
belize:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay