Driving in New Zealand vs Vietnam: Key Differences Explained
Embarking on a journey through New Zealand and Vietnam reveals fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving customs. From lane usage—New Zealand’s left-side driving versus Vietnam’s right-side approach—to varied speed limits and traffic etiquette, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in each unique locale.
LEFT
Driving Side
The driving side in new-zealand is the Left Side of the road
81
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in new-zealand is 81
1.667 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for new-zealand is 1.667 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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: 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 |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
vietnam:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vietnam:
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.
vietnam:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
vietnam:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
vietnam:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vietnam:
N/A
Speeds Limits
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50-70 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 40-60 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 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 | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
vietnam:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
vietnam:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
vietnam:
Common
Signals
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Vietnam | |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting | |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in urban areas | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Limited restriction | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines in some areas for excessive use | |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Discouraged for signaling other messages | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
vietnam:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
new zealand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless granted by a sign | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement | |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Expected in congested traffic | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Common but limited by law in cities | |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to Western countries | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
new zealand:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Embarking on a journey through New Zealand and Vietnam reveals fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving customs. From lane usage—New Zealand’s left-side driving versus Vietnam’s right-side approach—to varied speed limits and traffic etiquette, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in each unique locale.
Alcohol
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; strict enforcement | |
| 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: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
vietnam:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 113 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 113 | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
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| New zealand | Vietnam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Heavy fines and possible jail time | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 | |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common for minor fines | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days