New Zealand Legal Driving Limit

Keeping everyone on the road safe is essential while you’re trying to get to your destination. New Zealand being an agriculture-driven economy, is one of the countries with the lowest legal driving limit globally in terms of age. The expectations that teenagers can operate heavy machinery or farm vehicles allow it to set the minimum driving age possible.  

Age Limit  

The legal driving limit is at least 16 years old to obtain your driver or learner license. Immigrants can also drive in New Zealand provided that they meet all the requirements.  They can either get a new license or convert their international driver’s license to an NZ driver’s license.   A series of theoretical and practical tests, including a medical test, is required before you earn your driving permit.  

Speed Limit  

The speed of driving in New Zealand will depend greatly on the conditions you are in. Small vehicles on an open road have a maximum speed limit of 100km/hr, while heavy vehicles are only 90km/hr. The legal driving limit for speed can sometimes be seen on the side of the road. The speed limit is usually displayed with a red border which means that the sign is compulsory. You may drive slower than the speed limit, but you must also consider the vehicles driving in front of and behind you. If you must drive at a slower pace, make sure to stay on the left-most side of the road to allow other vehicles to pass.  

Legal Driving Limit for Alcohol

Another major consideration for road safety is the driver’s physical condition. Police officers often randomly stopped any vehicles on the side of the road for an inspection. They usually conduct a simple breath test to know whether you have been driving sober or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have been drinking prior to driving, you may want to check your breath alcohol concentration or BAC through a breathalyzer first. There is a legal driving limit as to one’s capability to drive in relation to the alcohol content in the body. If you are under twenty years old, your alcohol limit is zero, which means you are forbidden to drive. If you are twenty years or older, your BAC limit is 0.05% or 250 mg/litre of breath.  

The top two causes of road accidents and fatalities are speeding and alcohol-related driving. Following the speed guidelines and the legal driving limit for alcohol is the best way to reach your destination safely. Consider having a personal breathalyser in order to prevent such cases. 

Breathalysers New Zealand offers high-quality BACtrack breathalysers with police-grade accuracy available at out products page here.

Related Articles:

• What is the Legal Alcohol Driving Limit?
• What is the Legal Limits of Alcohol in NZ
• The Legal Drink Drive Limit: Things You Should Know About