Driving in Madagascar vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, Madagascar and New Zealand offer striking contrasts in driving regulations and practices. From the side of the road you drive on to speed limits and traffic etiquette, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover how to stay safe while driving in these unique countries.
Lanes
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
new zealand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 for all vehicles | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay