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.
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 →
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Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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