Driving in New Zealand vs. Qatar: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the roads of New Zealand and Qatar, distinct contrasts emerge that impact travel experiences. From driving on opposite sides—left in New Zealand versus right in Qatar—to variations in speed limits and roundabout protocols, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore these essential distinctions for safer navigation.
Lanes
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
qatar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
qatar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Qatar |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
qatar:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
qatar:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
qatar:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
qatar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties