Driving Differences: New Zealand vs United Kingdom
When navigating the roads of New Zealand or the United Kingdom, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences emerge in lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals, shaping the driving experience in each nation. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge for safer travels abroad!
Lanes
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid White Line
new zealand:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
new zealand:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
new zealand:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
new zealand:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
new zealand:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail