Driving Differences: New Zealand vs Samoa Explained
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of New Zealand and Samoa, significant distinctions emerge, particularly regarding road markings, speed limits, and regulations. While New Zealand boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Samoa’s focus leans more towards a simplified road structure. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
new zealand:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Samoa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
samoa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay