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.
Official figures
- 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
Official sources
- 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
Read the full guide: Road rules and traffic fines →
People also ask
- What are the give way rules at intersections and roundabouts in New Zealand?
- Can I use my phone for GPS navigation while driving in NZ?
- Until what age does a child need a car seat in New Zealand?
- What is the drink driving limit in New Zealand? Can I drive after one drink?
- How much is the fine for speeding 20 km/h over the limit, and how many demerit points do I get?
- How do I pay a speeding ticket in NZ, and what happens if I don't pay?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
How does this apply to me?
Tell us your situation for practical next steps, with official sources. Try a free question — no sign-in needed.
Tap “···” at the top right to send to a friend or share to Moments