Driving
One of the most terrifying things (for me) about our move to Auckland was driving on the “wrong” side of the road. It took me months to get comfortable with the steering wheel on the right side of the car while driving on the left side of the streets. The hardest part was feeling like I lost a lot of independence because I was too scared to go anywhere by myself. I was completely dependent on others to get me there, and that’s extremely limiting, especially when I was stuck in a house with two little kids to entertain. Eventually I got the hang of it, and I can successfully get just about anywhere now, but there are definitely some differences to be aware of.
The country of origin of your car matters: Cars in New Zealand generally have the steering wheel on the right. The gas pedal is on the right. The brake pedal is on the left. The blinker and windshield wipes could be on either the left or the right side of the steering column, and let me tell you, this is maybe the most confusing thing about driving. In the U.S., the blinker is on the left and windshield wipers are on the right. Nothing is more shocking than thinking you are signaling a right hand turn but then your windshield wipers start going crazy. If you want to stick with the blinker on the left, get a car with European origins. If you don’t care about scraping bug carcasses off the windshield at random intervals, get a car with Asian or American origins.
Streets are narrow: Learning to give and take on the roads, especially in Auckland, is a must. Streets can be quite narrow and cars parked on the side of the road often means there is only one usable lane of traffic for both directions. Get comfortable with pulling over to let the other side pass by. Don’t be a crazy, aggressive driver who always goes first.
Parking spots are even more narrow: The parking spots are notoriously tiny. I’ve seen cars literally scrape the entire length of their car with a garage post because there was simply no other way to get out of a spot. I’ve learned to be patient for a spot that I feel comfortable with, and sometimes that means I have to park pretty far away. However, that’s usually not such a big deal. Since it isn’t as hot in Auckland as in Austin, I don’t feel like I’m roasting as I walk across the black top.
Roundabouts are everywhere: At first, roundabouts confused the crap out of me. When exactly was it might turn to enter? How is it that people aren’t crashing into each other all the time? When do I use my blinker? I’ve slowly figured it out. If I’m taking the first exit, stay in the left lane and use the left blinker. If I’m taking the second exit, enter in either lane and don’t use a blinker. If I’m taking the third exit, enter using the right lane, stay towards the center, and use the right blinker. Only enter the roundabout when I feel comfortable. Don’t gun it to try to beat a car because…
Kiwi drivers are generally laid back: People go the speed limit and are exceedingly polite on the road (see item one about letting people pass.) I’ve never been honked at for taking a long time to turn or enter a roundabout. However, they expect a certain level of curtesy from other drivers: do use your blinkers religiously, don’t pass aggressively, always stop at pedestrian crosswalks, don’t abuse high occupancy lanes or bus lanes.
The speed limit isn’t always posted: The maximum speed on a highway (or “motorway” as it is called here) is 100 km/h. Sometimes you’ll see a sign posted for 80 km/h. The maximum speed on a regular road is 50 km/h and sometimes will be lowered to 30 km/h. If I don’t see an obvious sign on the road, I follow the 100/50 limits.
Gas prices are high: People often complain about the cost of living in New Zealand, and gas prices are one of the indicators always sighted to back up this claim. And it is true! Gas prices are much higher in New Zealand than in the U.S. Right now the average price in Auckland is about $2.25 per liter. Let’s think about that. There are 3.78 liters per gallon, and NZ$1 is about USD$.69.
2.25 x 3.78 x .69 = $5.87
That means that gas is about USD$5.87 per gallon right now. How would your driving habits change with gas prices that high? More people take the bus and trains, though public transport isn’t spectacular. Lots of people walk and ride bikes, too. Fortunately, there are so many villages sprinkled about Auckland that a lot of needs can be met within a short distance. Also, there are so many other less expensive things in New Zealand (here’s looking at you, healthcare) that I don’t think Auckland is as expensive as some might claim.
Car insurance isn’t required: Yep. That’s right. There is no legal requirement to carry car insurance of any kind in New Zealand. With that being said, I wouldn’t go without full coverage. There are some REALLY FREAKIN’ EXPENSIVE cars driving around and I would not want to be legally responsible for their repairs or replacement if something happens on the road. Like in the U.S., there are lots of options for car insurance and they look at typical factors, like previous driving history and the type and age of car, to determine your rates. Shop around and look at online reviews before you buy.
There’s one surefire way to tell if you’re on the “right” side of the road: Are you (the driver) in the middle of the road? If you are, then you are on the correct side. If you find yourself on the curb side of the road, you’ve done something wrong. This quick check to make sure I’m in the middle of the road has been the most useful advice ever when it comes to calming my nerves about driving in New Zealand.
There are all sorts of driving rules that are ever so slightly different, too. Comment and let me know if you want an overview of New Zealand vs. American driving rules!
