5 Tips on Driving in NZ

I wrote about travelling in New Zealand in another post. It was mostly about getting around the city. You can survive your entire stay at uni by using the public transport system like the bus, train, and ferry, but if you want to explore the country, you'd eventually have to drive (or ride) a car. And after experiencing driving in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown the past year, let me share with you some tips, just in case you find yourself behind a steering wheel. 

1. They drive on the left side of the road.

This is obvious. New Zealand follows the British road and traffic system where drivers drive on the left side of the road, not the right where we Filipinos are used to back home. This also means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, and the gear shift is on the left of the driver. It takes a bit of getting used to, I perspired the first time I took the wheel even though it was freezing cold outside, but you'll manage.

The red car on the right has the right of way.

2. Give way to the car on the right when entering a roundabout.

Unlike in Quezon City Circle where drivers don't follow any rule when entering the rotunda, New Zealand traffic law requires a driver to give way to the car entering the roundabout on his right. Tatagalugin ko. Pag nagsabay kayong dumating sa roundabout, kung sinuman yung nasa kanan, siya ang mauunang pumasok. If you are unsure who came in first, best to just wait, turn your signal, and then proceed.

3. Do not slow down along curves on the highway.

In the Philippines, it's second nature for drivers to slow down when approaching a turn. Naturally, that's what I did when I drove up to Cape Reinga in Northland. Unfortunately, that pissed the drivers behind me as you are not supposed to slow down on the highway. Apparently, they expect you to keep you speed even though driving on a curve. Well, won't the car tip over? That's what I thought. I learned that turns on New Zealand highway roads are inclined to make sure cars don't tip on their side when approaching. So there, unless a road sign specifically indicates a slower speed, do not slow down on curves. Just maintain your speed.

Give way to incoming traffic.

4. Give way on one-way bridges.

For reasons eluding me, there are a lot of bridges on highways in the countryside that are single lane. Minsan napapaisip ako, naghihirap ba ang New Zealand at hindi nila kayang magpatayo ng two-way bridges? Anyway, the rule is to follow the road sign before the bridge. If you see a sign as shown above, that means you have to give way to the car approaching the bridge on the opposite side. If there's no sign, that means you have the right of way.

5. Flashing your lights does not mean, "I'm first."

Finally, be careful when flashing your lights. If in the Philippines it means, "Nauna ako dito, liliko ako, bagalan mo," it means the complete opposite here in New Zealand. In other words, if you flash your lights here, it means you acknowledge the other driver and you are giving way to him to make a turn and cross your lane (like on a signless intersection).


Note: Tourists and international students are allowed to drive in New Zealand for the duration of their visa, as long as they carry a valid drivers license from their home country and be at least 21 years of age.