How to Drive in New Zealand: Perils and Pitfalls of Driving on the Left
25 Mar 2014
Okay, I’m by no means an expert on this subject. You may remember the catastrophe that was my first attempt at driving on the left side of the road. However, I’ve now gotten pretty proficient at this whole shifting-with-my-left-hand-while-simultaneously-not-hitting-pedestrians thing. So, here is a step by step guide to driving in New Zealand.
Step One: Stay on the left side of the road.
You know this bit already, but it’s just not as easy as it sounds. The important part is to acknowledge that you have ZERO idea where the left side of the car is. Acknowledge that and give yourself LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of extra space. Within reason, of course. Stay in your lane. The LEFT lane.
It might help to tape a sticky note saying LEFT to your steering wheel, or, if you’re like me and can’t tell left from right under pressure, an arrow will do. Most rental cars will probably already have this for you. In fact, many of the two lane roads in New Zealand have arrows to remind you, because basically New Zealand is full of people who shouldn’t be driving campervans driving campervans on the wrong side of the road. (Note: the sooner you stop calling it the WRONG side of the road, the better.)
Step Two: Shift with your left hand according to the diagram below.
So, basically it’s the same as you’re used to ONLY OPPOSITE. Got it? Cool.
Oh and speaking of things being opposite–that thing you think will turn on your blinkers? Nope, windshield wipers. This is possibly the hardest thing to get used to.
Step Three: Don’t panic in the roundabouts.
The key to roundabouts is staying calm. And, um, GOING CLOCKWISE. Oh, and looking to your RIGHT for oncoming traffic. So, really, staying calm is no easy task.
Step Four: Ignore the passing zones.
Because almost EVERYWHERE in New Zealand is a passing zone. This includes blind curves and windy mountain roads where there is no WAY you could know what is coming towards you. So, you know, use good judgement and ignore the lines.
Step Five: Beware the judder bar.
If you see a sign that says “judder bars” you should SLOW DOWN instead of pointing and laughing at the sign. Or, slow down WHILE laughing at the sign. Judder bars are small, awkwardly placed speed bumps and trust me, you don’t want to hit them at over 20km per hour.
Step Six: Learn how to merge like a zip.
Just kidding, I still have no idea what the fuck this means. I think perhaps you are supposed to imitate a zipper with your car. As in, you are one zipper tooth and cars coming from other directions are the other zipper teeth and you have to alternate. So basically, it’s a very complicated way of saying “take turns and don’t hit anyone.” Can you imagine this sign on US streets? CUE TOTAL CHAOS.
Step Seven: Get used to one-lane bridges.
Another thing that would send the average American driver in hypoplectic shock (which isn’t a thing, but it should be). One-lane bridges are exactly what they sound like–bridges with one lane. There is usually a sign indicating who has right-of-way, but if someone is already on the bridge you will have to stop EVEN IF YOU HAVE RIGHT-OF-WAY. This extremely un-American concept is probably exactly why we don’t have them in the States…
Step Eight: Never swerve for a possum.
Possums are an invasive species in New Zealand and, along with some help from stoats and housecats, responsible for the decimating the country’s bird population. So, if you remember nothing else from this post, remember this — always hit the possums.
(Editor’s note: Possums in New Zealand have fluffy tails. PLEASE do not freak out and think the author just posted a photo of a flat house cat.)
What are your experiences driving abroad? On the opposite side of the road than you’re used to? Please share below!
Haha, this is too funny Syd! I thankfully have never had to drive on the left side of the road. I can barely handle the right and I most definitely cannot drive a stick so I have no idea how I’ll manage. Roundabouts would be my worst nightmare I think and one lane bridges would be just too confusing!
Roundabouts really still are my worst nightmare…
Merge like a zip??? WTF? Hilarious, Syd. Great job :)
Thanks! And yeah, I really don’t get the merging like a zip either…
Damn. That shifting with the wrong hand has gotta be a bitch. Oh, and thanks for posting a pic of a flattened house cat! Dig it!
POSSUM. You’re going to get me in trouble…
Awww the possum! haha I don’t think I could calmly drive on the other side of the road, granted I haven’t driven in almost a year but that would still take a long time getting used to! I can’t imagine shifting with the left hand that would throw me off so much!
You DO get used to it though. To be honest, now I’m a little scared to go back to driving on the right…
Ahhh now this is how it’ sMEANT to be. None of this crazy right hand drive biz. Super funny post as always!
hahahaha no.
I can only imagine how stressful those first few days of driving must have been! Great tips – I’ll be sure to keep them in mind for when I attempt to drive in NZ. Though now I’m slightly terrified haha.
It’s really not all that bad. You’ll rock it!
Oh man. I can NOT imagine driving a manual car over there! I rented a car a few times, but it was always an automatic. I had enough trouble with the turn signal/windshield wiper issue!
And the “Merge like a zip” signs… bahaha, I don’t remember seeing those! Love it though.
Yeah, I was a total disaster with the manual initially but I figured it out. The turn signal/windshield wiper dilemma continued to be a problem up until the day we left, though.
Merge like a zip is like one car lets another in like the sides of a zip surely?! Haha
Such a funny post, as always, even funnier when you already drive on the left ;)
I think the breakdown might begin with the fact that in the states we call those zippers not zips. But hey..
Ahahahah! You article made me laugh ;-) We have the “Zip merge” here too (Belgium) since a few weeks. They explained it on TV and in the newspaper with nice infographics. It’s not as complicated as it looks like ;-)
We drove to Wales a few months ago with some friends and it was our first experience of driving on the left. Actually I think it’s all right as long as there are other cars on the road but when you’re alone on a little road, you’re always tempted to drive on the right.
That’s hilarious about the infographics and TV commercials. I think I would need them to get it…hahaha.
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Love the gear stick diagram! We created a video to help if anyone has trouble with driving in New Zealand! http://www.campermate.co.nz/visiting-new-zealand
Awesome!
Great tips for driving in New Zealand – may come in handy sometime! And thanks for the giggles ;)
Just followed you on Twitter so I can read more gems :)
Glad you liked it!
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