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With a near-unsurpassed beauty spread across its north and south islands, New Zealand sometimes feels like is has been designed for the perfect road trip. Regardless of if you’re after a short holiday exploring the North Island, or are planning an expansive trip taking in wonders including the wondrous Milford Sound, New Zealand delivers.
When it comes to picking the right rental car for your road trip, VroomVroomVroom is here to help make your decision as easy as possible. From a compact car ideal for inner-city hops to an SUV perfect for driving right across New Zealand’s beautiful islands, we’ll help you find the right vehicle at the right price — and the whole process can take as little as two minutes.
If you’ve rented a car elsewhere in the world, renting a car in New Zealand isn’t that different, but there are a few points to keep in mind. Here’s ten of the important ones.
In New Zealand you drive on the left side of the road.
If your licence is not in English, you will need an International driving licence.
In some cases renters are not permitted to drive their rental vehicle past the snow line in alpine areas without first purchasing additional cover. Please check with your provider beforehand.
It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt while driving in New Zealand. This rule applies to both the driver and passengers and fines for non-compliance can be high. Children under the age of seven must use a child seat.
In most cases you need to be at least 18 years old and have a full, unrestricted, licence to rent a car in New Zealand. Drivers under the age of 25 may be charged a surcharge to hire a car. Drivers over the age of 75 may require a medical certificate.
Speed limits vary across the country, ranging from 40 km/h in suburban areas to 110 km/h on major highways. Speed limits are strictly enforced and fines for exceeding limits are high. If you are fined for speeding in a rental car, you will be liable for the fine.
Rental cars in New Zealand come with insurance, but in the case of damage or if your rental vehicle is stolen, you’ll be liable for an excess which generally ranges from A$3,350 to $9,000.
Using a mobile phone while driving — or even when the vehicle is stationary — is illegal across New Zealand. Your phone must be mounted in a dock or another hands-free manner.
Driving a hire car under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence in New Zealand. The legal limit is a blood alcohol level of 0.05 and penalties for breaking this limit can result in heavy fines and/or the loss of your licence.
You are not permitted to take a rental vehicle off-road in New Zealand, and there are certain areas within the country with specific driving restrictions. If you are unsure, please check with our customer care team.
You can rent a hire car from locations across New Zealand — even picking up your car on one island and dropping it off on the other — and VroomVroomVroom allows you to search for a rental car from dozens of destinations right across the country. An important note to keep in mind is that not all companies allow their vehicle to be taken between the islands, so if you’re planning an inter-island road trip, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.
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