Valid licence + English translation or IDP
RequiredUK/EU photocard licence is accepted for up to 12 months; if your licence is not in English, carry an accredited translation or a 1949/1968 International Driving Permit.
← All country guides
Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in New Zealand
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into New Zealand: 9 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
9
Required
3
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for New Zealand
9 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Valid licence + English translation or IDP
UK/EU photocard licence is accepted for up to 12 months; if your licence is not in English, carry an accredited translation or a 1949/1968 International Driving Permit.
Passport with 3+ months validity
UK and EU passport holders need an NZeTA (NZD 23) plus the International Visitor Levy (NZD 100) arranged online before boarding the flight.
Drive on the LEFT
New Zealand drives on the left; right-hand-drive cars only. UK drivers will adapt instantly, EU drivers should take extra care at intersections and roundabouts.
Speed limits 100 / 100 / 50 km/h
Open road and motorway 100 km/h (a few expressways 110 km/h), urban 50 km/h, often 30 km/h in town centres; speed cameras are widespread.
BAC limit 0.05 g/100ml (0.00 if under 20)
Adult drink-drive limit is 50 mg/100ml blood (0.25 mg/L breath); drivers under 20 must be at zero. Random breath testing is routine.
Seatbelts and handheld phone ban
Seatbelts compulsory for all occupants; children under 7 require an approved child restraint. Handheld mobile use while driving is a NZD 150 fine and 20 demerit points.
Give way to the right at roundabouts
At uncontrolled intersections and roundabouts, give way to vehicles coming from your right; turning traffic must give way to oncoming traffic going straight.
Pay tolls online within 5 days
Only three toll roads exist (Northern Gateway, Tauranga Eastern Link, Takitimu Drive), each NZD 2.40-2.90 per car; pay at nzta.govt.nz/tolls or at BP service stations - no booths.
Declare cash over NZD 10,000
Amounts of NZD 10,000 or equivalent in any currency must be declared on arrival; strict biosecurity rules also apply - declare all food, outdoor gear and hiking boots.
Documents
Passport with 3+ months validity
RequiredUK and EU passport holders need an NZeTA (NZD 23) plus the International Visitor Levy (NZD 100) arranged online before boarding the flight.
Rental insurance excess reduction
RecommendedStandard rental excess is NZD 4,000-5,000; gravel-road and single-vehicle accident damage is often excluded from base cover, so top-up insurance is strongly advised.
Emergency number 111
Good to knowDial 111 for police, fire, or ambulance. For non-urgent breakdown, AA NZ partners with UK AA and European clubs for roadside assistance.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredNew Zealand drives on the left; right-hand-drive cars only. UK drivers will adapt instantly, EU drivers should take extra care at intersections and roundabouts.
Speed limits 100 / 100 / 50 km/h
RequiredOpen road and motorway 100 km/h (a few expressways 110 km/h), urban 50 km/h, often 30 km/h in town centres; speed cameras are widespread.
BAC limit 0.05 g/100ml (0.00 if under 20)
RequiredAdult drink-drive limit is 50 mg/100ml blood (0.25 mg/L breath); drivers under 20 must be at zero. Random breath testing is routine.
Seatbelts and handheld phone ban
RequiredSeatbelts compulsory for all occupants; children under 7 require an approved child restraint. Handheld mobile use while driving is a NZD 150 fine and 20 demerit points.
Give way to the right at roundabouts
RequiredAt uncontrolled intersections and roundabouts, give way to vehicles coming from your right; turning traffic must give way to oncoming traffic going straight.
Tolls
Pay tolls online within 5 days
RequiredOnly three toll roads exist (Northern Gateway, Tauranga Eastern Link, Takitimu Drive), each NZD 2.40-2.90 per car; pay at nzta.govt.nz/tolls or at BP service stations - no booths.
Vignette
No vignette or motorway sticker
Good to knowNew Zealand has no national road-user charge for petrol cars or rentals; diesel vehicles pay RUC but rental companies handle this for you.
Required equipment
No mandatory in-car equipment
Good to knowThere is no legal requirement to carry hi-vis vests, warning triangles, or first aid kits, though a torch and hi-vis are sensible on remote South Island roads.
Environment
Winter chains for alpine passes
RecommendedSnow chains are required to be carried (and fitted when signed) on Milford Road (SH94), Crown Range, and Lindis Pass from May to October; check metservice.com before travel.
Long distances and gravel roads
RecommendedDistances are deceptive (Auckland-Wellington is 8 hours), many scenic routes are unsealed gravel, and one-lane bridges are common - the smaller arrow shows who gives way.
Money
NZ Dollar, fuel ~NZD 2.80/litre (EUR 1.55)
Good to knowPetrol 91 averages NZD 2.70-2.90 per litre (roughly EUR 1.50-1.60); cards accepted everywhere including remote stations, tipping is not expected.
Declare cash over NZD 10,000
RequiredAmounts of NZD 10,000 or equivalent in any currency must be declared on arrival; strict biosecurity rules also apply - declare all food, outdoor gear and hiking boots.
Plan your New Zealand road trip
We'll build the itinerary, estimate fuel + tolls, and show EV chargers along the route, and this checklist appears automatically on every trip that crosses into New Zealand.
Start planning →Popular destinations in New Zealand
Places to add to your New Zealand road trip.
Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredNew Zealand drives on the left; right-hand-drive cars only. UK drivers will adapt instantly, EU drivers should take extra care at intersections and roundabouts.
Speed limits 100 / 100 / 50 km/h
RequiredOpen road and motorway 100 km/h (a few expressways 110 km/h), urban 50 km/h, often 30 km/h in town centres; speed cameras are widespread.
BAC limit 0.05 g/100ml (0.00 if under 20)
RequiredAdult drink-drive limit is 50 mg/100ml blood (0.25 mg/L breath); drivers under 20 must be at zero. Random breath testing is routine.
Seatbelts and handheld phone ban
RequiredSeatbelts compulsory for all occupants; children under 7 require an approved child restraint. Handheld mobile use while driving is a NZD 150 fine and 20 demerit points.
Give way to the right at roundabouts
RequiredAt uncontrolled intersections and roundabouts, give way to vehicles coming from your right; turning traffic must give way to oncoming traffic going straight.