New Zealand Car Driving Test New Zealand Car Driving Road Signs and Markings 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a solid yellow centre line on a New Zealand road mean for drivers on both sides?
- Drivers on either side may overtake if it is safe to do so
- Drivers on both sides are prohibited from crossing or straddling the line to overtake (Correct answer)
- Only the driver nearest the kerb may cross the line
- The line marks a dedicated bus lane boundary
Correct answer: Drivers on both sides are prohibited from crossing or straddling the line to overtake
A solid yellow centre line is a no-overtaking restriction that applies to traffic travelling in both directions — neither side may cross or straddle it to pass another vehicle.
Question 2: What shape and colour is the standard 'Give Way' sign in New Zealand?
- A red octagon with white lettering
- An upside-down red-bordered triangle with a white background (Correct answer)
- A yellow diamond with black lettering
- A red circle with a horizontal white bar
Correct answer: An upside-down red-bordered triangle with a white background
New Zealand's Give Way sign is an inverted (upside-down) triangle with a red border and white background — its distinctive shape allows drivers to recognise it even when the text is obscured by snow or dirt.
Question 3: What does a broken yellow centre line on a New Zealand road indicate?
- The road ahead has a hazard and no overtaking is permitted
- Overtaking is permitted when it is safe, but only from the left side
- Overtaking is permitted in both directions when it is safe to do so (Correct answer)
- The line separates two lanes travelling in the same direction
Correct answer: Overtaking is permitted in both directions when it is safe to do so
A broken yellow centre line separates traffic travelling in opposite directions and indicates that drivers on either side may cross it to overtake when the road ahead is clear and it is safe.
Question 4: What does a blue circular sign displaying a white letter 'P' with a time panel beneath it indicate in New Zealand?
- No parking is permitted at any time in this area
- Parking is permitted for the duration shown during the hours displayed (Correct answer)
- The area is a paid parking zone requiring a ticket at all times
- Parking is reserved for people with disabilities only
Correct answer: Parking is permitted for the duration shown during the hours displayed
A blue circle with a white 'P' and a time panel is a parking permission sign — it tells drivers they may park there for the time limit shown and during the hours indicated on the panel.
Question 5: What does a yellow zigzag line painted along the kerb in New Zealand mean?
- Short-term parking of up to five minutes is allowed
- The area is a school zone with reduced speed limits
- Stopping or parking is prohibited on that side of the road (Correct answer)
- The lane is reserved for cyclists and motorcyclists
Correct answer: Stopping or parking is prohibited on that side of the road
Yellow zigzag kerb markings in New Zealand indicate a no-stopping zone — drivers must not stop, park, or wait in front of them, as they are typically used near pedestrian crossings or schools to keep sightlines clear.
Question 6: What does a rectangular blue sign displaying a white bicycle symbol and a white pedestrian symbol side by side indicate in New Zealand?
- Cyclists must give way to pedestrians at all times on this path
- The path ahead is shared between pedestrians and cyclists (Correct answer)
- Only cyclists are permitted to use the marked lane
- Pedestrians are prohibited from using the marked route
Correct answer: The path ahead is shared between pedestrians and cyclists
A blue rectangular sign showing both a bicycle and a pedestrian symbol indicates a shared path where both cyclists and pedestrians are permitted to use the same route, and both must be considerate of each other.
What does a solid yellow centre line on a New Zealand road mean for drivers on both sides?