Driving Differences: New Zealand vs Saudi Arabia
When navigating the roads of New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, distinct driving norms can impact your experience. Key contrasts include driving on the left versus right, urban speed limits, and rules regarding emergency vehicles. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in both countries.
Lanes
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
saudi arabia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
saudi arabia:
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.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
saudi arabia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Turns
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
saudi arabia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
new zealand:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
saudi arabia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay