Driving in Denmark vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Denmark and New Zealand, drivers will encounter distinct variations in regulations and practices. From left versus right-side driving to differing speed limits and traffic etiquette, understanding these nuances is crucial for safe navigation. This comparison highlights essential guidelines to ensure a smooth and secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | 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 bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
Driving Side
denmark:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in New Zealand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | 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
denmark:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
denmark:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay