Driving in France vs. New Zealand: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of the road can be crucial for your safety. This comparison between France and New Zealand highlights significant contrasts, such as driving on the right versus the left, differing speed limits, and unique traffic regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions can lead to a more secure and enjoyable journey.
Lanes
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | 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, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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
france:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in New Zealand |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | 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 and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
france:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| 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
france:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 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
france:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay