Driving Your Car Rental in Palmerston North

Using a car rental in Palmerston North allows you the freedom to do your own thing and explore the Manawatu and Wanganui regions at your own pace. If you’re new to New Zealand, make sure driving your car rental in Palmerston North is safe and enjoyable with our driving tips.

Driving in Palmerston North – The Basics

  • Drive on the LEFT hand side of the road
  • Give way to your right, even if you are turning left
  • Safety belts are required for all vehicle occupants
  • Hands free mobile (cell) phones are illegal when driving
  • City speed limits are 50kph (around 30mph) with a few areas designated 70kph
  • Open country speed limits are generally 100kph (about 60mph)
  • Drivers must carry a current New Zealand, international or internationally approved driving licence

Check out the online Road Code to read more about driving in New Zealand.

Rural Roads

In New Zealand rural roads are often narrow and sometimes have steep drops or unstable rock faces just a few feet from the road. Some roads are unsealed and have no surface markings, some also change from sealed to unsealed – look out for signs which indicate this. If possible plan your journey to avoid unsealed roads as they can be dangerous and affect the control of your car rental vehicle. If you do use unsealed roads, reduce your speed to 40-50kph or slower. If possible drive in established tracks where the surface is harder, but keep left. When approaching an oncoming vehicle slow down to pass. Road dust could obscure your view of the road ahead. Should your vehicle slide on shingle, do not brake suddenly.

New Zealand is an agricultural country with many farm animals. You may meet sheep or cows being moved by a farmer. Slow down and stop when you reach the animals – let them go past you or move slowly up behind them and take instructions from the farmer. Should you injure a farm animal on a road tell the nearest farmer.

Now you can enjoy all that the Manawatu-Wanganui region has to offer with your car rental from New Zealand Rent A Car Palmerston North.

Enjoy a safe car rental in Palmerston North with driving safety tips from New Zealand Rent A Car.