Driving and drivers license

Be smart on the New Zealand roadways with these tips

CampingCar-Online/Ramble Campervans can provide you with all the necessary information regarding motorhome driving and drivers licenses in New Zealand.

Distance calculator for the North Island

*Distances are expressed in kilometres

Distance calculator for the South Island

*Distances are expressed in kilometres

Secure driving in New Zealand

Driving is on the left hand side of the road.

All passengers in the motorhome must wear a seat belt in the back and front of the vehicle (child and booster seats are also required for all children).
Fatigue is a major cause of accidents, so please take regular breaks from driving.
The speed limit is 50 km/h in towns and cities and 100 km/h on all open roads unless otherwise specified. Please note that you must adapt your driving to the circumstances.
Double yellow lines on the road indicate that overtaking is dangerous.
The condition of the roads in New Zealand is not always favourable and this can slow you down. Remember to take this into account when calculating your itinerary.
In winter some mountain roads can be dangerous due to ice and snow. In some cases snow chains for the tyres may be necessary.

To drive a motorhome in New Zealand you need a permit B driving license.
Your license must be in English. Contact your automobile agency for a translation or an international driving license.

Fuel in New Zealand

Petrol and diesel are the two types of fuel in New Zealand. At the service stations the price difference is clearly visible with diesel being much cheaper. Most service stations offer unleaded 91, 96 and diesel. Note that the prices are generally higher on the South Island.
On average the price of petrol is 2.19 NZ$/litre and for diesel it is 1.29 NZ$/litre.
Always refuel your vehicle to the maximum before starting a long journey as the service stations are often quite far apart.

Ferries in New Zealand

Two ferry companies are available to travel with your motorhome between the two islands of the country. To go from North to South the departure is from Wellington and you will reach Picton after about 3 hours.
Here are the two companies and you can check ticket availability and book online through their websites:

• Bluebridge
• Interislander

You can always get more information by contacting the various local tourist agencies.