Driving in New Zealand vs Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of New Zealand and Thailand, notable contrasts emerge that significantly impact motorist conduct and safety. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, each country showcases unique practices. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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.
thailand:
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.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
thailand:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
thailand:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days