Driving in India vs. New Zealand: Key Differences Revealed
When embarking on a journey through India or New Zealand, understanding the distinct road regulations and customs is crucial for ensuring a secure experience. From lane markings to speed limits and road etiquette, these nations exhibit notable contrasts. This comparison reveals essential insights that every traveler should grasp before hitting the road.
Lanes
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
india:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
new zealand:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| India | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay