New Zealand is a beautiful country and a fantastic place to explore by car. But there are some things you need to know before taking a driving trip here, especially if you’re coming from the USA where we drive on the right side of the road!

The number one golden rule is to drive on the left hand side of the road! Many accidents happen because tourists from countries that drive on the right forget to do this, so it’s very important.

You should also be aware that New Zealand has roundabouts a lot more than you might expect! These can be confusing at first and often don’t work exactly as you might think. You should always indicate whether you’re going to exit straight ahead or if you’re going more than halfway around the roundabout and then give way to any vehicles that will cross your path from the right.

It’s also worth being aware that New Zealand roads can be slippery in winter so you should slow down, particularly if you’re driving on gravel or dirt. Watch out for icy spots too and don’t be surprised if the roads are slippery when it rains!

Check the New Zealand road closures website to make sure there aren’t any major slips on the route you’re planning. You don’t want to be stuck on a mountain highway in the middle of nowhere because a slip is blocking it!

You should also be aware that New Zealand has a very low tolerance for speeding. While there are some exceptions, such as school buses, if you’re caught speeding more than a few times you could be fined or even suspended your drivers licence!