Driving in Mexico vs. New Zealand: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the distinct driving landscapes of Mexico and New Zealand, it’s essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key differences include driving sides, lane usage, and speed limits, all of which impact road safety. This comparison aims to equip travelers with vital insights for a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Mexico | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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. |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
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
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
mexico:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate 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 | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| 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: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
mexico:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay