Driving in Costa Rica vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Costa Rica and New Zealand, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in road etiquette, speed regulations, and vehicle requirements. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey, as Costa Rica favors right-side navigation while New Zealand adheres to left-side rules. Prepare for a safer adventure by mastering these essential driving contrasts!
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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 | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | 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 | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
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
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay