New Zealand Road Code Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: On a one-way street with three lanes, you intend to turn left at the next intersection. Which lane should you be in?

The left lane (Correct answer)
Any lane — you can turn left from any lane on a one-way street
The middle lane
The right lane

Correct answer: The left lane

Turn left from the left lane on a one-way street unless road markings indicate otherwise.

Question 2: When driving and approaching a horse and rider on the road ahead, what is the recommended and safest procedure?

Flash your headlights to ensure the rider has seen you.
Sound your horn briefly to warn them of your approach.
Maintain your speed but move to the far side of your lane.
Slow down significantly, pass wide, and avoid making sudden noises. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Slow down significantly, pass wide, and avoid making sudden noises.

Horses are easily frightened by loud noises or fast-moving vehicles. The NZ Road Code advises drivers to slow down, give the horse and rider plenty of room by passing wide, and avoid using the horn or revving the engine, as this could startle the animal and cause an accident.

Question 3: When broken down on the road, which combination of safety signals should you use?

Indicators only until help arrives
Hazard lights and a warning triangle placed behind the vehicle (Correct answer)
High beams and horn only
Park lights only to conserve the battery

Correct answer: Hazard lights and a warning triangle placed behind the vehicle

Hazard lights combined with a warning triangle behind the vehicle give the best warning to approaching traffic when you are broken down.

Question 4: Which of the following statements about giving way at intersections is TRUE?

A 'Stop' sign and a 'Give Way' sign mean the same thing.
If you are turning, you must give way to vehicles going straight. (Correct answer)
If you are turning left, you must give way to an oncoming vehicle that is turning right.
At an uncontrolled crossroads, you must always give way to vehicles on your left.

Correct answer: If you are turning, you must give way to vehicles going straight.

A fundamental give way rule is that if you are turning, you must give way to all traffic that is not turning. This applies at intersections controlled by signs or signals, and at uncontrolled intersections.

Question 5: What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a black cross indicate?

An intersection where no road has priority (Correct answer)
A railway level crossing ahead
A hospital zone ahead
A pedestrian crossing ahead

Correct answer: An intersection where no road has priority

A yellow diamond with a black cross warns of an uncontrolled intersection where no road has right of way over another.

Question 6: When descending a steep hill on a wet New Zealand road, what is the recommended braking technique to maintain control?

Apply the brakes as hard as possible to scrub speed quickly before the descent steepens
Keep the vehicle in a high gear and rely entirely on the footbrake
Pump the brakes rapidly to keep the wheels from locking
Select a lower gear before the descent and use engine braking, applying gentle brake pressure as needed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Select a lower gear before the descent and use engine braking, applying gentle brake pressure as needed

Selecting a lower gear before the descent allows engine braking to assist in controlling speed without over-relying on the footbrakes, which can overheat or lock the wheels on a wet surface. This technique gives the driver smoother, more predictable control on slippery downhill sections.

Question 7: You are at a traffic light which is green. You intend to turn right. An oncoming car is approaching, intending to go straight through. Who has the right of way?

You, because your light is green.
Neither vehicle, you must wait for the light to turn yellow.
The oncoming car that is going straight. (Correct answer)
The vehicle that is travelling faster.

Correct answer: The oncoming car that is going straight.

When turning right at an intersection with a green traffic signal, you must give way to vehicles coming towards you that are going straight through or turning left. The driver going straight has priority.

Question 8: When driving downhill on a steep, icy New Zealand road, what gear strategy is safest?

Use the highest gear available for smooth travel
Use neutral to coast and save fuel
Select a low gear to help control your speed (Correct answer)
Alternate rapidly between gears

Correct answer: Select a low gear to help control your speed

A low gear provides engine braking which helps control your speed on slippery downhill roads without relying solely on your brakes.

Question 9: What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a driver who is 19 years old?

Zero. (Correct answer)
50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.
20 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.
80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

Correct answer: Zero.

For drivers under the age of 20 in New Zealand, there is a zero alcohol limit. This means they cannot have any measurable amount of alcohol in their system while driving.

Question 10: You are driving at night on an open road. Why might you need to drive slower than the 100 km/h limit?

Reflective road markings increase your speed perception
Your headlights may not illuminate far enough for you to stop within the lit distance (Correct answer)
The limit drops to 80 km/h automatically after dark
Night driving is always faster due to less traffic

Correct answer: Your headlights may not illuminate far enough for you to stop within the lit distance

At night your stopping distance can exceed your headlight range, so you should reduce speed to match the distance you can see.

Question 11: When driving, you see a solid yellow line on your side of the centre line. What does this marking indicate?

You may park on this side of the road during off-peak hours.
It is a warning that a passing lane is about to start.
You must not cross the line, except to turn into or out of a driveway or property. (Correct answer)
You may cross the line to overtake if the road ahead is clear.

Correct answer: You must not cross the line, except to turn into or out of a driveway or property.

A solid yellow line on your side of the centre line indicates that it is unsafe to cross. You must not cross it to overtake but you are permitted to cross it to enter or exit a driveway or side road if it is safe to do so.

Question 12: A circular sign with a red border showing a truck symbol means what?

Truck parking area ahead
Heavy vehicles must stop
Heavy vehicles prohibited (Correct answer)
Truck weighbridge ahead

Correct answer: Heavy vehicles prohibited

A red-bordered circular sign with a truck symbol indicates that heavy vehicles are not permitted on that road.

Question 13: How many seconds in advance should you signal before making a turn in New Zealand?

At least 3 seconds (Correct answer)
At least 5 seconds
At least 1 second
At least 2 seconds

Correct answer: At least 3 seconds

The New Zealand Road Code requires you to signal for at least 3 seconds before turning so other road users have adequate warning.

Question 14: What does a broken yellow line painted along the edge of the road indicate about parking?

Parking is never allowed
Only commercial vehicles may park there
Parking is allowed at all times
Parking is restricted at times shown on nearby signs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Parking is restricted at times shown on nearby signs

A broken yellow line means parking is restricted during times indicated on nearby signs, but may be permitted outside those hours.

Question 15: You arrive at an intersection at the same time as another vehicle from a different road. Your road has a GIVE WAY sign; the other road does not. Who must yield?

Both must stop and negotiate
You must give way because your road has the GIVE WAY sign (Correct answer)
The vehicle on the road without a sign
The vehicle going straight has priority

Correct answer: You must give way because your road has the GIVE WAY sign

The GIVE WAY sign explicitly requires you to give way to all traffic on the intersecting road, regardless of their direction of travel.

Question 16: When passing a cyclist in New Zealand, the recommended passing distance is at least:

1 metre
0.5 metres
2 metres
1.5 metres (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1.5 metres

New Zealand guidelines recommend passing cyclists with at least 1.5 metres of space to protect them from vehicle turbulence and sudden swerves.

Question 17: In New Zealand, what is the maximum demerit points a driver can accumulate before their licence is suspended?

60 points (Correct answer)
50 points
75 points
100 points

Correct answer: 60 points

Accumulating 100 demerit points within two years results in a 3-month licence suspension.

Question 18: You are turning right from a one-way street into another one-way street. Where should you position your vehicle?

In any available lane
In the centre of the road
As close to the right side of the road as possible (Correct answer)
In the left lane

Correct answer: As close to the right side of the road as possible

When turning right from a one-way street, position your vehicle as close to the right side of the road as practicable.

Question 19: In which of these situations must you give way?

When you are on the continuing road at a T-intersection.
When you are going straight through a green light and an oncoming car is turning right.
When you are turning right and an oncoming vehicle is turning left. (Correct answer)
When a pedestrian is waiting to cross at a point with no marked crossing.

Correct answer: When you are turning right and an oncoming vehicle is turning left.

If you are turning right and an opposing vehicle is turning left, you must give way. This applies when both vehicles face the same control (like a green light or stop sign) or no control at all.

Question 20: How far from a bus stop sign must you not park in New Zealand?

1 metre
3 metres
10 metres
6 metres (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6 metres

You must not park within 6 metres of a bus stop sign to keep the stop accessible for buses.

Question 21: Which of the following is a legal requirement when parking your vehicle on the side of a road?

You must always park facing oncoming traffic for better visibility.
You can park on the right-hand side of a two-way street if there is enough room.
You must park in the direction of the traffic flow on your side of the road. (Correct answer)
You must leave your parking lights on during the day.

Correct answer: You must park in the direction of the traffic flow on your side of the road.

In New Zealand, you must park your vehicle parallel to and as close as practical to the left-hand side of the road, in the same direction as the flow of traffic. Parking on the right-hand side is only permitted in a one-way street.

Question 22: 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?

Stop and flash your headlights to let the other driver go.
Whoever gets to the intersection first has the right of way.
Proceed first because you are on the left.
Give way to the car on your right. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Give way to the car on your right.

In situations where no other give way rule applies, such as at an uncontrolled crossroads, you must give way to all vehicles coming from your right. This is often called the 'give way to the right' rule.

Question 23: You are driving along a main road when a vehicle from a side road on your right wants to enter your road at a T-intersection with no signs or signals. Who must give way?

You must give way because the other vehicle is on your right
Both vehicles must stop and take turns
The vehicle on the side road must give way to you (Correct answer)
Whichever vehicle arrived at the intersection first may proceed

Correct answer: The vehicle on the side road must give way to you

At a T-intersection, traffic on the terminating (side) road must give way to all vehicles on the continuing through-road, regardless of which direction they are coming from.

Question 24: You are driving in a 50 km/h urban area. Ahead, you see a temporary sign indicating roadworks with a new speed limit of 30 km/h. What must you do?

Slow to 30 km/h only when you reach the roadworks.
Slow down to be travelling at 30 km/h or less before you pass the temporary sign. (Correct answer)
Maintain 50 km/h if no workers are visible.
Slow to 40 km/h as a precaution.

Correct answer: Slow down to be travelling at 30 km/h or less before you pass the temporary sign.

A temporary speed limit sign indicates the maximum speed you are legally allowed to travel from the point you pass the sign until you pass a sign showing a different speed limit. You must reduce your speed to the temporary limit before passing the sign.

Question 25: You see a 'No Stopping' sign. Compared to a 'No Parking' sign, what extra restriction does it impose?

You cannot even stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers (Correct answer)
You cannot park overnight only
You cannot park but can drop off passengers quickly
You cannot park commercial vehicles

Correct answer: You cannot even stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers

No Stopping means you cannot stop at all — not even briefly — whereas No Parking still allows momentary stops for passengers.

Question 26: When turning left at an intersection, which vehicles must you give way to?

Only oncoming traffic going straight
No one, left turns always have priority
Only vehicles turning right into the same road
Pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into

When turning left, you must give way to pedestrians who are crossing the road you are turning into.

Question 27: In New Zealand, what does a continuous yellow no-passing line in the centre of the road mean?

You may pass only if the road ahead is clear for 500m
You must not cross or straddle the line to pass (Correct answer)
The line is advisory and passing is at your discretion
You may pass cyclists and slow vehicles only

Correct answer: You must not cross or straddle the line to pass

A continuous yellow centre line means you must not cross or straddle it to overtake.

Question 28: You park on an uphill slope with a kerb on your right. Which way should your front wheels face?

Towards the kerb (right)
Direction does not matter on uphill slopes
Away from the kerb (left) (Correct answer)
Straight ahead

Correct answer: Away from the kerb (left)

When facing uphill, turn your wheels away from the kerb so the vehicle rolls into it if the brakes fail.

Question 29: What does a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing left indicate on New Zealand roads?

Turn left only
Left lane ends
Keep left (Correct answer)
One-way street to the left

Correct answer: Keep left

A blue circular sign with a white left arrow instructs drivers to keep left of the sign.

Question 30: You are looking for a place to park and see a marked bus stop that consists only of a sign, with no painted box on the road. How close are you legally allowed to park to the bus stop sign?

No closer than 10 metres.
No closer than 6 metres. (Correct answer)
You can park right next to the sign as long as you don't block the footpath.
No closer than 3 metres.

Correct answer: No closer than 6 metres.

The law requires drivers to park at least 6 metres away from a bus stop that is only marked by a sign. This ensures that the bus has enough space to pull in and out safely.

Question 31: You are driving on a road and intend to turn right into a driveway. An oncoming car is indicating to turn left into the same driveway. What is the correct action?

You must give way to the vehicle turning left. (Correct answer)
Both vehicles can turn at the same time.
Wait for the car behind you to pass first.
Proceed with your right turn as you have the right of way.

Correct answer: You must give way to the vehicle turning left.

One of the key give way rules is that if you are turning right, you must give way to all vehicles coming towards you that are turning left. This rule applies even when turning into driveways, as they are treated like intersections.

Question 32: You are driving at sunrise and are suddenly affected by severe sunstrike, making it almost impossible to see the road ahead. What is the safest course of action?

Signal, pull over to a safe position on the left, and stop until your vision improves. (Correct answer)
Turn on your headlights and continue at a reduced speed.
Speed up to get through the affected area as quickly as possible.
Follow the tail lights of the car in front of you very closely.

Correct answer: Signal, pull over to a safe position on the left, and stop until your vision improves.

If you are blinded by sunstrike and cannot see the road, continuing to drive is extremely dangerous. The safest action is to slow down, signal, and pull over to a safe place to stop until your vision clears or you can use your sun visor and sunglasses to mitigate the glare.

Question 33: You are overtaking a school bus that has stopped and its door is open on a New Zealand road. What is the maximum speed you must not exceed?

10 km/h
40 km/h
20 km/h (Correct answer)
30 km/h

Correct answer: 20 km/h

Under New Zealand law, when passing a stopped school bus with its door open — indicating children may be boarding or alighting — you must slow to no more than 20 km/h to protect pedestrians.

Question 34: A school bus has stopped ahead with its lights flashing. What must you do?

Slow to 20 km/h and pass
Overtake carefully and continue
Sound your horn to warn children
Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing

You must stop and wait when a school bus has its hazard or warning lights flashing, as children may be crossing.

Question 35: Which of the following is a legal reason to stop momentarily in a no-parking zone?

Leaving the vehicle to buy something
There is no legal reason to stop in a no-parking zone
Waiting for someone who is in a shop
Dropping off or picking up a passenger quickly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Dropping off or picking up a passenger quickly

A no-parking zone usually allows brief stops to drop off or pick up passengers, but you must not leave the vehicle unattended.

Question 36: You are driving in the mountains on a frosty morning in New Zealand. Which road surfaces are most likely to be icy first?

Straight stretches of motorway
Sealed rural roads in direct sunlight
Tunnels and underpasses
Bridges and overpasses (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Bridges and overpasses

Bridges and overpasses freeze before other surfaces because cold air circulates both above and below the deck, removing heat from both sides. Other road surfaces retain ground heat longer, making them slower to freeze.

Question 37: A sign with a red circle, white background, and a black car with a line through it means:

No trucks allowed
No overtaking
Speed restriction for cars only
No motor vehicles allowed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No motor vehicles allowed

A red circle with a car symbol crossed out prohibits all motor vehicles from that road or area.

Question 38: What does a blue rectangular sign with a white letter P and a time limit shown beneath it indicate?

Time-restricted parking is available (Correct answer)
Paid parking zone
Passenger drop-off zone
No parking after the stated time

Correct answer: Time-restricted parking is available

A blue P sign with a time limit indicates a parking area where vehicles may park for no longer than the displayed duration.

Question 39: Does the driver of the blue car have to give way?

Yes (Correct answer)
No

Correct answer: Yes

The blue car is at a stop sign and therefore must give way to the red car which is travelling straight through the intersection.

Question 40: You are parked legally and a 'No Parking' sign is later installed nearby. What should you do?

Call the council to dispute the sign
Move immediately once the sign takes effect (Correct answer)
You can stay until your ticket expires
You are exempt because you were there first

Correct answer: Move immediately once the sign takes effect

Once a no-parking restriction is in force, you must comply regardless of when you parked.

Question 41: What does a solid yellow line along the edge of the road mean for parking?

Resident permit parking only
Parking allowed outside peak hours
No stopping or parking at any time (Correct answer)
Parking is allowed for up to 5 minutes

Correct answer: No stopping or parking at any time

A solid yellow line means no stopping or parking at any time along that section of road.

Question 42: What must you do before opening your car door after parking on a roadside?

Turn on your interior light
Sound your horn
Check for approaching traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians (Correct answer)
Flash your hazard lights

Correct answer: Check for approaching traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians

You must check mirrors and look behind for approaching traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians before opening your door to avoid causing a collision.

Question 43: You need to exit a motorway on the left but you are in the right lane. When should you begin moving to the left lane?

At the last moment to avoid slowing other traffic
Well before your exit, signalling and changing lanes one at a time (Correct answer)
Only after you have passed the exit and can U-turn
Immediately by cutting across all lanes at once

Correct answer: Well before your exit, signalling and changing lanes one at a time

You should plan ahead and move into the left lane well before your exit, changing one lane at a time with proper signals.

Question 44: During a hailstorm while driving in New Zealand, what is the safest action?

Increase speed to get out of the hailstorm area
Continue driving at normal speed with headlights on
Stop in the middle of the lane with hazard lights on
Pull over safely away from trees, turn on hazard lights, and wait (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pull over safely away from trees, turn on hazard lights, and wait

Pulling over to a safe spot away from trees and using hazard lights protects you from reduced visibility and potential damage while keeping other drivers aware of your position.

New Zealand Road Code Test

The New Zealand Road Code Test covers road rules and safety required for a driver's licence.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

80%

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