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.
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?
- 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 many demerit points before my driving licence is suspended?
- 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.
Share after you sign in with Google and your link will carry your invite code: when a friend signs up through it, you get 20 more questions. You can still share without signing in — it just won’t earn anything.Your link includes your invite code. When a friend signs up through it, you get 20 more questions (up to 10 friends).
Tap “···” at the top right to send to a friend or share to Moments