Driving Differences: Nepal vs. New Zealand Explained
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of each country's regulations is crucial for safe travel. This comparison between Nepal and New Zealand reveals significant distinctions, such as lane usage, speed limits, and traffic regulations. While New Zealand emphasizes structured road etiquette and advanced signage, Nepal showcases a more flexible approach, necessitating caution for travelers.
Lanes
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, with caution. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Keep left. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
nepal:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nepal:
Keep left.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nepal:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 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 | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
nepal:
20-40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nepal:
20-30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
50-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nepal:
40-60 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
40-60 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nepal:
60 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
60 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nepal:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nepal:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nepal:
Yes, common practice
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Nepal | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Nepali and English | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
nepal:
Yellow
new zealand:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
nepal:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
nepal:
Nepali and English
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
nepal:
Varies by locality; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nepal:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nepal:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent 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 left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
nepal:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nepal:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | 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: Underage Drivers
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
nepal:
Common; checkpoints used
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
nepal:
Can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
nepal:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately 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 |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
nepal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nepal:
100
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
nepal:
100
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nepal:
Check with your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nepal:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nepal | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common practice | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nepal:
Yes, common practice
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay