New Zealand Car Driving Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield New Zealand Car Driving Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does a circular sign with a red border and a diagonal red line over a horn symbol mean? → Use of horns prohibited
2. Which lights must you have on when parked on a road at night outside of an illuminated area? → Park lights or sidelights so the vehicle is visible
3. What speed limit applies when passing a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a New Zealand road? → Slow to 20 km/h if safe or move over a lane
4. You are turning right at an uncontrolled intersection and a vehicle coming from the opposite direction is going straight through. Who must give way? → You must give way to the vehicle going straight
5. What is the default speed limit in a Limited Speed Zone (LSZ) when hazardous conditions are present in New Zealand? → 50 km/h
6. Which of the following is a legal requirement when parking your vehicle on the side of a road? → You must park in the direction of the traffic flow on your side of the road.
7. What does this sign mean? → Watch out for cattle
8. At an uncontrolled intersection in New Zealand, if two vehicles arrive at the same time from different roads, which vehicle must give way? → The vehicle on the left
9. What does this sign mean? → A feeder lane joins an existing lane
10. What does a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing left indicate in New Zealand? → Keep left
11. 'Black ice' is a significant winter driving hazard. Which of the following statements about it is TRUE? → It is a thin, transparent layer of ice that makes the road look simply wet.
12. At a crossroads with no signs or signals, you want to turn right and an oncoming vehicle is going straight. Who must give way? → You must give way to the oncoming vehicle
13. On a motorway, how far in advance should you signal before changing lanes? → At least 5 seconds
14. On New Zealand roads, what does a flush median marked with diagonal white lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate? → A shared turning area that vehicles may enter to turn right
15. You are in the blue car, approaching an uncontrolled T-intersection. The red car is on the continuing road. What must you do? → Give way to the red car.
16. At an intersection controlled by traffic signals, the light turns green for you but a pedestrian is still crossing. What should you do? → Wait for the pedestrian to finish crossing before proceeding
17. A driver aged 20 or over who refuses to provide a breath or blood sample when required by police in New Zealand faces: → The same penalties as if they had exceeded the criminal alcohol limit
18. Unless a sign indicates otherwise or you remain with the vehicle, what is the minimum distance you must park from a fire hydrant? → 500mm (0.5 metres)
19. What does a green circular sign with a white letter P and the number 120 mean in New Zealand? → Parking allowed for a maximum of 120 minutes
20. You are driving at 100 km/h on an open New Zealand road. Approximately how far do you travel in two seconds? → Around 55 metres
21. What should you check before driving through a ford or water crossing on a rural New Zealand road? → The depth markers and current water level
22. What does a white rectangular sign with a red border and the letters 'LSZ' mean? → Limited speed zone
23. How many seconds in advance should you signal before making a turn in New Zealand? → At least 3 seconds
24. When driving on a loose gravel (unsealed) road, how should you approach a sharp corner? → Slow down to a safe speed in a straight line before entering the corner.
25. Which of the following correctly describes the rule for a 'T2' transit lane? → The lane may only be used by vehicles carrying at least two people.
26. What does a white diamond shape painted on the road lane indicate in New Zealand? → Bus or transit lane
27. At an uncontrolled crossroads (no signs or signals), you and a car to your right arrive at the same time. Both of you are going straight. What should you do? → Give way to the car on your right.
28. You are being overtaken by another vehicle. What should you do? → Maintain your speed or slow down to help the overtaking driver
29. What does a circular white sign with a black diagonal stripe across it indicate? → The default rural speed limit of 100 km/h now applies.
30. What do two solid yellow lines running along the center of a road mean in New Zealand? → No passing in either direction