Keeping left

In New Zealand, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road.

It is essential to keep left, because if you don’t, you are likely to cause a head-on crash. This is one of the worst types of crash you can have, as it almost always results in death or serious injury.

Keeping left on a laned road

Most roads in New Zealand have lanes marked on them with a white line or raised studs.

When driving on a multi-laned road, it is important to drive your vehicle within your lane.

Where there are two or more lanes on your side of the centre line:

• keep in the left-hand lane as much as you can (this reduces the risk of drivers being in your left-side blind spots)
• keep in the centre of the lane, as the camber of the road can tilt your vehicle
• don’t use the lane closest to the centre line if you will hold up other vehicles.

The lane closest to the centre line should only be used when:

• you want to pass another vehicle
• you want to turn right
• the left-hand lane is full with other traffic or is blocked
• signs or arrows direct you to (eg signs direct heavy traffic using the Auckland harbour bridge to use the centre lanes).

Laned road

Proper position for taking curves

On a right curve

Maintain a path toward the left of the road. This is to keep the trailing unit of a long vehicle from encroaching on the centre line.

On a left curve

Maintain a path towards the centre of the road to avoid the left rear wheels of the vehicle from dropping off the road or hitting the kerb.

Curve in an unmarked road

Curve in a marked road