Driving Differences: New Zealand vs Uzbekistan
Discover the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between New Zealand and Uzbekistan. While Kiwis drive on the left and prioritize lane courtesy, Uzbek drivers navigate on the right with unique overtaking norms. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safety and a smooth journey when traveling abroad.
Lanes
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
new zealand:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 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; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
uzbekistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
new zealand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
uzbekistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
uzbekistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
new zealand:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines