Driving in Egypt vs. New Zealand: Key Safety Differences
When planning to drive in Egypt or New Zealand, understanding the nuances of each country’s road rules is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and signal usage. While Egypt follows a right-hand drive system, New Zealand opts for the left, significantly influencing traffic dynamics and safety protocols.
Lanes
| Egypt | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
egypt:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
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
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
egypt:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
new zealand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
new zealand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
new zealand:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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 | Give way and allow passage | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
new zealand:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
egypt:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
egypt:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay