New Zealand By Car

The most significant road difference for many travelers to New Zealand will be driving on the left-hand side of the road. Many roads in New Zealand outside major cities are narrow and only have two lanes. Some are unpaved and can prove hazardous for unprepared motorists. Road maintenance in New Zealand is generally good though drivers should remain cautious in more remote regions where it is less vigilant. Drivers heading through agricultural areas should also be wary of wandering livestock, which are often dangerous nuisances. Also, the birds in New Zealand will not necessarily get out of your way. Please be kind, and swerve.

As long as you have a current license from your own country, you probably won’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) while in New Zealand .

Rental Agencies

You can generally make reservations before you head to New Zealand by calling international offices in your home country. Sometimes the price and availability they give doesn’t jive with what the local offices in your country will tell you. Try checking both numbers to make sure you get the best price.

To rent a car from most establishments in New Zealand, you need to be at least 21 years old. Some agencies require renters to be 25, and most charge those aged 21-24 an additional insurance fee. Policies and prices vary from agency to agency. Small local operations occasionally rent to people under 21, but be sure to ask about the insurance coverage and deductible, and always check the fine print. The major rental agencies in New Zealand are: Avis (NZ ☎09 526 2847 or 0800 655 111; www.avis.com); Budget (Auckland ☎09 976 2222, elsewhere 0800 283 438; www.budget.com); Hertz (NZ ☎0800 654 321; www.hertz.com).

Costs And Insurance

Rental car prices start at around NZ$50 a day from national companies, NZ$30 from local agencies such as Darn Cheap Rentals (☎0800 800 327; www.darncheaprentals.co.nz). Omega Rental Cars (☎0800 525 210; www.omegarentalcars.com) and Ace Rentals (☎0800 502 277; www.acerentals.co.nz) offer low rates, but be cautious—consider the reliability and reputation of all local agencies before committing. Expect to pay more for larger cars and for 4WD. Cars with automatic transmission will, surprisingly, sometimes cost less than manuals (stick shift).

Many rental packages offer unlimited kilometers, while others offer a set number of kilometers per day with a surcharge applied for each kilometer exceeding that limit. Return the car with a full tank of gas to avoid high fuel charges at the end. Be sure to ask whether the price includes insurance against theft and collision. Remember that if you are driving a conventional vehicle on an unpaved road in a rental car, you are almost never covered by insurance; ask about this before leaving the rental agency. Beware that cars rented on Visa/Mastercard Gold or Platinum credit cards in New Zealand might not carry the automatic insurance that they would in some other countries; check with your credit card company. American Express does not carry automatic insurance. Insurance plans almost always come with an excess (or deductible) of around NZ$900 for conventional vehicles; excess ranges up to around NZ$2500 for younger drivers and for 4WD. This means you pay for all damages up to that sum, unless they are the fault of another vehicle. The excess you will be quoted applies to collisions with other vehicles; collisions with non-vehicles, such as trees (“single-vehicle collisions”), will cost you even more. The excess can often be reduced or waived if you pay an additional charge.

National chains often allow one-way rentals, picking up in one city and dropping off in another. There is usually a minimum rental period of four days and sometimes an extra drop-off charge of several hundred dollars.

Driving Permits And Car Insurance

International Driving Permit (Idp). If you plan to drive a car while in New Zealand, you may do so for up to 12 months with a valid license from your home country or if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP). It may be a good idea to get one anyway, in case you’re in a bind.

Your IDP, valid for one year, must be issued in your own country before you depart. An application for an IDP usually requires one or two photos, a current local license, an additional form of identification, and a fee. To apply, contact your home country’s automobile association. Be careful when purchasing an IDP online or anywhere other than your home automobile association. Many vendors sell permits of questionable legitimacy for higher prices.

Car Insurance. Most credit cards cover standard insurance. If you rent, lease, or borrow a car, you will need a green card, or International Insurance Certificate, to certify that you have liability insurance and that it applies abroad. Green cards can be obtained at car rental agencies, car dealers (for those leasing cars), and some travel agents. Rental agencies may require you to purchase theft insurance in countries that they consider to have a high risk of auto theft.

Buy-Backs. Buying a car and selling it upon departure may be a smart option for longer stays. Buy-back outlets, such as New Zealand Guaranteed Buy-Back Vehicle Associates, 825 Dominion Rd. (☎09 620 6587), sell cars for NZ$2500-5000 for this purpose. You can buy a car for six months and only shell out NZ$2000. If you prefer to strike out on your own, Auckland has the best deals: check out one of its car auctions or the used car section of The New Zealand Herald (especially on W and Sa; www.nzherald.co.nz). The Trade and Exchange, published Thursday and Saturday, is a good place to look.

A car must have a W.O.F. (Warrant of Fitness, sometimes called a V.I.C.), which ensures that it is road safe. Make sure that your potential car has received one within the past month. For vehicles six years old or less, they are good for a year and cost NZ$40. A car must be registered (6 months around NZ$100, 1 year NZ$200). When there is a change of ownership, an MR13A form must be completed by the buyer and seller and turned in at a post office or shop. The buyer must also complete an MR13B form (NZ$9). Insurance is not necessary but highly recommended, as is Automobile Association membership . The latter will get you emergency breakdown service, free service for simple problems, and free towing.

Before you buy your car, get it inspected. Vehicle inspection services can be found in the yellow pages and will do pre-purchase checks for NZ$100. You may want to check out car fairs in Auckland like Sell It Yourself, 1106 Great South Rd., Westfield. (☎09 270 3666. Open daily 8am-6pm.) Car auctions are another option. Turners Car Auctions (☎09 525 1920; www.turners.co.nz), Leonard and Penrose Rd., Penrose, Auckland, sells budget cars. Call for auction times. Hammer Auctions, 830 Great South Rd., Penrose, Auckland (☎09 579 2344; www.hammerauctions.co.nz), sells cars (M-Th 6pm, F 1pm, Sa 11am).

On The Road

New Zealand is a highly developed country with well-established infrastructure. State highways are abbreviated as SH; SH2 was recently renamed the Pacific Coast Highway, though most locals will understand what you’re talking about. Road conditions are generally very good, though unpaved roads in more remote regions can cause problems. Driving is particularly dangerous in the Otago and Southland regions where road conditions can be harrowing. Speed limits are strictly enforced with speed cameras and are set up at the traffic lights of many large towns to catch lead-footed offenders. The maximum speed limit on any open road is 100kph; 50kph in urban areas. The New Zealand Road Code (NZ$25), available at AA offices and bookstores, tells you all you need to know. Gasoline costs approximately NZ$1.45 per liter, though it is generally more expensive in smaller towns. When traveling, gas expenses can easily run NZ$15-20 per day. Members of worldwide Automobile Associations (see IDP) can enjoy the agreement with the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA; ☎09 966 8800; www.aahost.co.nz) to obtain maps and services from AA offices in New Zealand.

Driving Precautions. When traveling in the summer or in the desert, bring substantial amounts of water (a suggested 5L of water per person per day) for drinking and for the radiator. For long drives to unpopulated areas, register with police before beginning the trek, and again upon arrival at the destination. Check with the local automobile club for details. When traveling for long distances, make sure tires are in good repair and have enough air, and get good maps. A compass and a car manual can also be very useful. You should always carry a spare tire and jack, jumper cables, extra oil, flares, a flashlight, and heavy blankets (in case your car breaks down at night or in the winter). If you don’t know how to change a tire, learn before heading out, especially if you are planning on traveling in deserted areas. Blowouts on dirt roads are exceedingly common. If you do have a breakdown, stay with your car; if you wander off, there’s less likelihood trackers will find you.