Driving in Ireland vs. New Zealand: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the contrasts in road regulations is vital for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison between Ireland and New Zealand reveals notable distinctions, from speed limits and lane markings to pedestrian protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these variances will enhance your driving experience and promote safety while navigating new territories.
Lanes
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| 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
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ireland | 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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in New Zealand |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
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
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | 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 left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
ireland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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
ireland:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
ireland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay