Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Before you buy it's wise to confirm ownership of the vehicle, and find out if there's anything
dodgy about the car (eg stolen, or outstanding debts).
LemonCheck
( 0800 536 662,
09-420 3090;
www.lemoncheck.co.nz
)
offers this service.
Buy-back deals
You can avoid the hassle of buying/selling a vehicle privately by entering
into a buy-back arrangement with a dealer. Predictably, dealers often find sneaky ways of
knocking down the return-sale price, which may be 50% less than what you paid. Hiring or
buying and selling a vehicle yourself (if you have the time) is usually a better bet.
ROAD HAZARDS
NZ traffic is usually pretty light, but it's easy to get stuck behind a slow-moving truck or
campervan − pack plenty of patience. There are also lots of narrow wiggly roads, one-way
bridges and plenty of gravel roads, all of which require a more cautious driving approach.
And watch out for sheep!
ROAD RULES
Kiwis drive on the left-hand side of the road; cars are right-hand drive. Give way to the right
at intersections.
At single-lane bridges (of which there are a surprisingly large number), a smaller red arrow
pointing in your direction of travel means that
you
give way.
Speed limits on the open road are generally 100km/h; in built-up areas the limit is usually
50km/h. Speed cameras and radars are used extensively.
All vehicle occupants must wear a seatbelt or risk a fine. Small children must be belted into
approved safety seats.
Always carry your licence when driving. Drink-driving is a serious offence and remains a
significant problem in NZ, despite widespread campaigns and severe penalties. The legal
blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for drivers over 20, and 0% (zero!) for those under 20.
Hitching & Ride-Sharing
NZ is no longer immune from the perils of solo hitching (especially for women). Those who
decide to hitch are taking a small but potentially serious risk. That said, it's not unusual to
see hitchhikers along country roads.
Alternatively, check hostel notice boards for ride-share opportunities, or have a look at
