Car rental in New Zealand requires a valid international driver's license. It is also possible to translate the existing license into English, in this case the translation must be notarized. The minimum age of the car renter is 21 years old. Insurance is included in the rental price, in case of a long rental (up to 3 weeks) the rental fee is almost halved. Prices for car rental in New Zealand start from 60 NZD for an ordinary small-sized car.
Renting a car in New Zealand can quite successfully solve the issues of getting around the country. New Zealand is a left-hand drive country. Roads vary in quality. Major cities are connected by quite modern highways, but in many inland areas most roads are bad, so it is better to use a jeep. New Zealand's highways are winding and mostly through hilly terrain.
If the car will be visiting both islands when traveling, the cost of renting a car increases significantly due to ferry charges, so you should choose a rental agency that will provide another car on a neighboring island to avoid extra costs. But in general transportation by ferry costs in the region of 150-200 NZD, perhaps someone will find it more convenient.
Police are not often seen on the roads, but the rules should not be ignored. If a car in oncoming traffic flashes its headlights, it means it wants to warn other road users that there is a patrol on the road. It's just like us.
Cameras and radars monitor compliance with traffic rules, and all roads here are equipped with them. If there is a violation, you can be sure that it will be noticed, and very soon you will receive a receipt in the mail to pay the fine. If during the year a driver is issued more than 20 fine receipts, he is automatically deprived of his license. The enforcement of traffic rules in New Zealand is monitored.
The most serious violation is speeding, and there is also a hefty fine for talking on a cell phone while driving. Local drivers rarely speed because of their sedate and unhurried lifestyle. So you will be noticed. There are signs posted on the roads everywhere. Caution should be exercised in mountainous areas, and speeds of more than 55 km/h are not recommended on narrow and winding roads.
Fines in New Zealand for traffic violations are quite high. So, for speeding varies from 30 to 630 NZD, its size directly depends on the level of excess. So, if you exceed the speed limit by only 10 km/h, the fine will be about 80 New Zealand dollars. If the speed limit is exceeded by more than 50 km/h, then in addition to a large fine, the driver could face license revocation and imprisonment.
Speed limits in New Zealand:
- 100 km/hour on highways
- 50 km/hour in populated areas
The cost of gasoline in New Zealand is quite high. On average, the cost of a liter of gasoline in New Zealand is about 1.8 NZD.
