New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed and Alcohol Limits 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: It is midnight and you are in a suburban street with no speed signs visible. What speed limit applies?
- 30 km/h — night driving requires a lower limit
- 40 km/h — the standard quiet-hours limit
- 50 km/h — the default urban speed limit (Correct answer)
- 100 km/h — the open road default
Correct answer: 50 km/h — the default urban speed limit
The default urban speed limit is 50 km/h at all times of day unless otherwise signed.
Question 2: A 25-year-old driver's breath test shows 260 micrograms per litre. Which statement is correct?
- They are just under the legal limit of 250
- They are just over the legal limit of 250 and have committed an offence (Correct answer)
- They are well within the 400-microgram limit
- The limit is 300, so they are legal
Correct answer: They are just over the legal limit of 250 and have committed an offence
The breath alcohol limit for drivers 20 and over is 250 micrograms per litre, so 260 exceeds the limit and is an offence.
Question 3: You pass a sign showing a speed limit of 70 km/h, then 300 metres later you pass an 'end of speed limit' sign with no new number. What speed limit now applies?
- 70 km/h continues
- 50 km/h — the default urban limit resumes (Correct answer)
- 80 km/h — the nearest rural limit
- 100 km/h — the open road default resumes
Correct answer: 50 km/h — the default urban limit resumes
An end-of-speed-limit sign cancels the posted limit and reinstates the default urban limit of 50 km/h.
Question 4: Which group of drivers must have a zero breath alcohol level when driving in New Zealand?
- All drivers at all times
- Drivers under 20 years of age only (Correct answer)
- Learner and restricted licence holders only
- Drivers who have had a prior drink-driving conviction
Correct answer: Drivers under 20 years of age only
All drivers under 20 years of age must have zero alcohol regardless of licence type.
Question 5: You are driving at 95 km/h on an open road where the limit is 100 km/h. A temporary roadworks sign reduces the limit to 30 km/h. What must you do?
- Slow gradually once you see workers nearby
- Reduce to 30 km/h by the time you reach the sign (Correct answer)
- Keep 95 km/h since temporary signs are advisory
- Slow to 50 km/h as a safe compromise
Correct answer: Reduce to 30 km/h by the time you reach the sign
Temporary speed limit signs are legally enforceable and must be complied with at the point you pass the sign.
Question 6: Approximately how long does it take for the body to process one standard drink?
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
- About one hour (Correct answer)
- About two hours
Correct answer: About one hour
On average, the body processes roughly one standard drink per hour, and this cannot be speeded up by coffee or water.
Question 7: A restricted licence holder who is 21 years old wants to drive after one drink. What alcohol limit applies to them?
- Zero — they must have no alcohol because they hold a restricted licence
- 50mg per 100ml because they are 21 (Correct answer)
- 80mg per 100ml — the standard adult limit
- 25mg per 100ml — a reduced limit for restricted holders
Correct answer: 50mg per 100ml because they are 21
At age 21, a driver is subject to the adult alcohol limit of 50mg per 100ml, regardless of licence class.
New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed and Alcohol Limits 4
It is midnight and you are in a suburban street with no speed signs visible.
What speed limit applies?