Driving in Ecuador vs New Zealand: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Ecuador and New Zealand, it's crucial to understand their distinct rules and regulations. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and lane usage, these disparities significantly affect road safety. This guide highlights essential insights to help travelers drive confidently and securely in both countries.
Lanes
| Ecuador | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | 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
ecuador:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
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
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ecuador:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ecuador:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ecuador:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ecuador:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ecuador | 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 in Ecuador | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
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
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ecuador:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ecuador | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ecuador | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | 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 | Frequent use in urban areas. | 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
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
new zealand:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
new zealand:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
new zealand:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
new zealand:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| 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; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | 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
ecuador:
0.03%
new zealand:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
new zealand:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
new zealand:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
new zealand:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | 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
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
new zealand:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
new zealand:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
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
| Ecuador | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | 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
ecuador:
911 or 112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | 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
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
new zealand:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
new zealand:
Possible if fines are not paid