Road rules and traffic fines

New Zealand Police / NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

In New Zealand you drive on the left. The give way rules may be different from the rules in your home country. You can be fined for holding a phone while driving, for not wearing a seatbelt, and if a child is not in a child seat. Speeding, using a phone while driving and drink driving can also give you demerit points as well as a fine. If you get 100 points or more within 2 years, your licence is suspended for 3 months. You usually need to pay a fine (infringement notice) within 28 days, or dispute it in writing before the final due date. From 1 October 2026, two new rules apply: leave at least 1.5 metres when passing, and give way to buses.

Key facts

Keep left: You must drive as near as practicable to the left side of the road. If you are driving slowly and holding up traffic behind you, move left as soon as you can so vehicles behind can pass.¹
Give way: turning and changing lanes: If you are changing lanes or turning, you must give way to vehicles that are going straight (not changing lanes or turning).¹
Give way: turning right vs oncoming left turn: When you turn right, you must give way to oncoming vehicles that are legally turning left.¹
Give way: uncontrolled intersections and T-intersections: At an intersection, give way to vehicles coming from your right. At a T-intersection, vehicles on the terminating road must give way to vehicles on the continuing road, including vehicles turning right from the continuing road.¹
Give way: roundabouts: When you enter a roundabout, give way to vehicles already on the roundabout and to vehicles coming from your right.¹
Using a phone while driving: While driving, you must not hold your phone to make calls, text, email, watch videos or do anything else on it. You can make calls hands-free if you do not need to hold or operate the phone. If the phone is secured in a mount fixed to the vehicle, you may look at it or tap it occasionally and briefly.¹
Child restraints: Under 7 years: must use a suitable approved child restraint. Age 7: must use a child restraint if one is available in the vehicle; if not, use a seatbelt or other restraint where possible. Ages 8–14: the driver must make sure they are wearing a seatbelt.¹
Seatbelts: Anyone aged 15 or over sitting in a seat with a seatbelt must wear it. For passengers under 15, the driver is responsible.¹
Alcohol limit for adults: You must not drive if your breath alcohol is over 250 micrograms per litre, or your blood alcohol is over 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres.³
Drivers under 20: Zero limit: you must not drive with any alcohol in your breath or blood.³
Lower-level drink driving (age 20 and over): Breath alcohol over 250 and up to 400 micrograms per litre: NZ$200 fine and 50 demerit points.²
Serious drink driving: Breath alcohol over 400 micrograms per litre, or blood alcohol over 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres, is a criminal offence. For a first or second offence, the maximum penalty is 3 months in prison or a NZ$4,500 fine, and the court must disqualify you from driving for 6 months or more.³
Speeding fines (infringement fee): Up to 10 km/h over: NZ$30; 11–15: NZ$80; 16–20: NZ$120; 21–25: NZ$170; 26–30: NZ$230; 31–35: NZ$300; 36–40: NZ$400; 41–45: NZ$510; 46–50: NZ$630.²
Speeding demerit points (not speed camera): Up to 10 km/h over: 10 points; 11–20: 20 points; 21–30: 35 points; 31–35: 40 points; over 35: 50 points.²
Serious speeding: If you are more than 40 km/h over the limit, your licence may be suspended for 28 days as well as the fine. If you are more than 50 km/h over, you may be charged with offences such as careless or dangerous driving.⁴
Speed camera fines: Safe speed camera fines do not give demerit points. The fine is sent to the vehicle owner. If someone else was driving, the owner can complete a statutory declaration to transfer the fine to the actual driver.⁴
Who issues speed camera fines: From 30 June 2025, Police no longer run speed cameras. Camera fines after that date are issued by NZTA. Check the NZTA website to deal with them.⁴
Penalty for using a phone while driving: NZ$150 fine and 20 demerit points.²
No seatbelt, or child not in a child restraint: NZ$150 fine for each.²
Failing to give way: Failing to give way (turning or changing lanes, turning right, intersections, T-intersections, roundabouts and so on): NZ$150 fine and usually 20 demerit points.²
Running a red light: NZ$150 fine.²
100 demerit points: If you get 100 or more demerit points within any 2-year period, your licence is suspended for 3 months. After the suspension ends, you must apply to NZTA to get your licence back before you can drive again.³
From 1 October 2026: passing distance: When you pass pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised road users going in the same direction (on roads with lane markings, this means within the same lane), you must leave at least 1.5 metres of space beside them. Fine: NZ$300.²
From 1 October 2026: give way to buses: On roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less, if a bus ahead is signalling to move into your lane, you must let it go first. Fine: NZ$50.²
Deadline to pay a fine: Pay within 28 days of getting the fine. If you miss this, you will get a reminder notice with another 28 days. If you still do not pay, the fine goes to the Ministry of Justice for collection and court costs are added.⁴
How to pay a Police fine: By internet banking, credit card, at a Westpac branch, or from overseas. You must pay the full amount. Part payments are not accepted.⁵
How to dispute a fine: Before the final due date on the reminder notice, write a letter or email to the Police Infringement Bureau (include your infringement number). You can ask Police to review the situation, deny liability and ask for a court hearing, or accept liability but make a submission to the court. Explaining by phone does not count.⁴

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

Everyone who drives on New Zealand roads, including people driving on an overseas licence.
A fine (infringement notice) may be given to you on the spot by Police, or sent later to the vehicle owner (for example, a speed camera fine).

How do I do it? Steps and process

Check who issued your fine
Fines issued on the spot by Police, or from Police speed cameras before 30 June 2025, are handled by the Police Infringement Bureau. Speed camera and red light camera fines from 30 June 2025 are issued by NZTA. Follow the instructions on the NZTA website for these.
If you were not driving: transfer the fine first
Speed camera fines are sent to the vehicle owner. If someone else was driving, complete the statutory declaration that comes with the fine before you pay. Have it signed in front of an authorised person, such as a Justice of the Peace or a lawyer, and send it back. The fine will then be reissued to the actual driver. You cannot transfer the fine once it has gone to the Ministry of Justice.
If you agree: pay the full amount within 28 days
You can pay a Police fine by internet banking, credit card, at a Westpac branch, or from overseas. Police stations do not accept payment, and you cannot pay by phone.
If you disagree: dispute it in writing before the final due date
Write to the Police Infringement Bureau at PO Box 9147, Wellington 6141, or send an email. Include your infringement number and say what you want: a Police review, a court hearing to deny liability, or to accept liability but explain your situation to the court. Allow time for a written reply. Making an Official Information Act (OIA) request does not stop the payment deadline.
If you choose to go to court
Police will send your case to the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry will contact you. If the court finds you liable, you may have to pay court costs as well as the fine.
Keep track of your demerit points
If you get 100 points within 2 years, your licence is suspended for 3 months. NZTA keeps the record of demerit points. Check the NZTA website for how to see your points.

What documents do I need?

The infringement number on your fine (infringement notice)
To dispute a fine: a written explanation and evidence (photos, dashcam footage and so on)
To transfer a fine: a statutory declaration signed in front of an authorised person

What should I watch out for?

In some countries you can turn on a red light. You cannot do this in New Zealand. On a red light you must not enter the intersection, whether you are turning left or right. On an amber (yellow) light you must also stop, unless you are too close to the stop line to stop safely. When you turn on a green light, give way to pedestrians crossing the road and to vehicles going straight.
Using your phone for navigation: set it up before you start, and put the phone in a mount. While driving, you may only look at it or tap it occasionally and briefly.
Police can ask a driver to take a breath alcohol test on the spot. They can also ask for an oral fluid (saliva) drug screening test.
Always follow the speed limit signs on the road. There are often temporary speed limits near schools and at roadworks.
If you do not pay a fine, it automatically becomes a court fine and court costs are added. Do not delay.
This page summarises public information only and is not legal advice. The law itself and answers from Police and NZTA are the final word.

What has changed recently?

2026-10-01
New road rules in force: drivers passing pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised road users must leave at least 1.5 metres of space (NZ$300 fine). On roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less, drivers must give way to buses signalling to pull out (NZ$50 fine). Children aged 12 and under (and adults with them) can ride bikes on the footpath. E-scooters can use cycle lanes.Source: legislation.govt.nz ↗
2025-06-30
Police no longer run speed cameras and red light cameras. Camera fines after this change are handled by NZTA.Source: police.govt.nz ↗

Common questions

What are the give way rules at intersections and roundabouts in New Zealand?

If you are turning or changing lanes, give way to vehicles going straight. When turning right, give way to oncoming vehicles legally turning left. At an intersection, give way to vehicles from your right. At a T-intersection, vehicles on the terminating road give way to vehicles on the continuing road. At a roundabout, give way to vehicles already on it and to vehicles from your right. Failing to give way usually means a NZ$150 fine and 20 demerit points.

Can I use my phone for GPS navigation while driving in NZ?

Yes, but only if the phone is secured in a mount fixed to the vehicle. Set it up before you start. While driving, you may only look at it or tap it occasionally and briefly. You must not hold your phone while driving. The penalty is a NZ$150 fine and 20 demerit points.

Until what age does a child need a car seat in New Zealand?

Children under 7 years must use a suitable approved child restraint. A 7-year-old must use a child restraint if one is available in the vehicle. If not, they should use a seatbelt or other restraint where possible. For ages 8 to 14, the driver must make sure they wear a seatbelt. The fine for a child not in a child restraint is NZ$150.

What is the drink driving limit in New Zealand? Can I drive after one drink?

For drivers aged 20 and over, the limit is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. Drivers under 20 have a zero limit, so they must not drive after any drink. From over 250 up to 400 micrograms, the penalty is a NZ$200 fine and 50 demerit points. Over 400 micrograms is a criminal offence.

How much is the fine for speeding 20 km/h over the limit, and how many demerit points do I get?

The fine is NZ$120 for 16 to 20 km/h over the limit. If you are stopped by Police, you also get 20 demerit points. Safe speed camera fines do not give demerit points.

How many demerit points before my driving licence is suspended?

Your licence is suspended at 100 demerit points or more within any 2-year period. The suspension lasts 3 months. After it ends, you must apply to NZTA to get your licence back before you can drive again.

How do I pay a speeding ticket in NZ, and what happens if I don't pay?

Pay the full amount within 28 days. For a Police fine, use internet banking, credit card, a Westpac branch, or pay from overseas. You cannot pay at a Police station, by phone, or in parts. Camera fines from 30 June 2025 are issued by NZTA, so follow the NZTA website. If you do not pay, you get a reminder notice with another 28 days. After that, the Ministry of Justice collects the fine and adds court costs.

How do I dispute a traffic fine I think is wrong?

Write a letter or email to the Police Infringement Bureau before the final due date on the reminder notice. The address is PO Box 9147, Wellington 6141. Include your infringement number and evidence such as photos or dashcam footage. Ask for a Police review, a court hearing to deny liability, or to accept liability with a submission to the court. Explaining by phone does not count. For NZTA camera fines, follow the NZTA website.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz
Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz
Land Transport Act 1998Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand Legislation) · legislation.govt.nz
InfringementsNew Zealand Police · police.govt.nz
Pay an infringement fee or ticketNew Zealand Police · police.govt.nz

Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Tell us →

Still have a question? Ask

The AI answers using this guide and official New Zealand government websites.

Buying a used car: checks, change of ownership and your rights

When you buy a used car in New Zealand, the most important question is who you buy from. If you buy from a dealer, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and other laws. If something goes wrong, the dealer must fix, replace or refund. If you cannot agree, you can go to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal. If you buy from a private seller, you have almost none of these protections. Before you buy, always check for money owing and whether the car is stolen, and have it inspected. After the sale, both the buyer and the seller must tell NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) about the change of ownership as soon as possible. Do this within 7 days if you can.

Driving on an overseas licence and converting to a New Zealand licence

When you first arrive in New Zealand, you can drive on your overseas licence, but only for a limited time. If you want to keep driving, you need to convert it to a New Zealand licence. Important: from 1 November 2026, new arrivals can drive a car on an overseas licence for 12 months instead of 18 months. Licences from some countries need a theory test and a practical driving test to convert. Check whether your country is one of them.

Taking the bus: transport cards and discounts

Each region in New Zealand runs its own public transport, so each city uses a different transport card. Auckland uses AT HOP. Wellington uses Snapper (Metlink). Christchurch is moving to Motu Move, the new national system. Many other regions use Bee Card. Children, students and Community Services Card holders can get discounts. SuperGold Card holders (65 and over) travel free at off-peak times. For most discounts, you need to load the concession onto a transport card. If you just tap your bank card, you usually pay the adult fare.

Vehicle registration (rego) and warrant of fitness (WoF)

To drive on New Zealand roads, your vehicle needs a valid rego and a valid WoF. Rego is the vehicle licence, the label on your windscreen, and you pay to renew it regularly. A WoF (warrant of fitness) is a regular safety check. Diesel, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles also need RUC (road user charges). Important: from 1 November 2026, WoF frequency changes a lot. Many light vehicles aged 4–14 years will need a WoF only every 2 years.