Driving Differences: Czech Republic vs New Zealand
Explore the fascinating contrasts in vehicular regulations and road conduct between the Czech Republic and New Zealand. From driving on different sides of the road to distinct speed limits and traffic signal protocols, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover how these two nations prioritize safety in unique ways!
Lanes
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific 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: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
czech republic:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only 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
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
czech republic:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly applied | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used. | Not used in New Zealand |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
new zealand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
new zealand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
new zealand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
new zealand:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
new zealand:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
new zealand:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
new zealand:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
new zealand:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
new zealand:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
new zealand:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
new zealand:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
new zealand:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
new zealand:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
new zealand:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
new zealand:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
new zealand:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
new zealand:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
new zealand:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
new zealand:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
new zealand:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
czech republic:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
new zealand:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
new zealand:
Possible if fines are not paid