New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed Limits and Following 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the default speed limit on an urban road in New Zealand where no speed limit sign is posted?
- 60 km/h
- 50 km/h (Correct answer)
- 40 km/h
- 70 km/h
Correct answer: 50 km/h
The default urban speed limit in New Zealand is 50 km/h unless otherwise signed.
Question 2: A school speed zone sign (40 km/h) applies at what times?
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Only when the flashing lights are active or 'when children present' signs are displayed (Correct answer)
- Only during school hours on weekdays
- Only when a school patrol is visible
Correct answer: Only when the flashing lights are active or 'when children present' signs are displayed
The 40 km/h limit in school zones applies only when indicated by flashing lights or 'when children present' signs.
Question 3: If you are following a large truck closely on a highway, which additional hazard does this create beyond longer stopping distances?
- Increased fuel economy
- Reduced forward visibility (Correct answer)
- Better wind protection
- Lower tyre wear
Correct answer: Reduced forward visibility
Tailgating a large truck blocks your view of the road ahead, preventing you from seeing hazards in time to react.
Question 4: On an unsealed (gravel) road in New Zealand, how should you adjust your speed compared to the posted limit?
- Drive at the posted limit as normal
- Drive faster to reduce time on loose surface
- Drive significantly slower because grip and braking distance are reduced (Correct answer)
- Add 10 km/h because the road is wider
Correct answer: Drive significantly slower because grip and braking distance are reduced
Gravel reduces tyre grip and increases stopping distances, so you should drive well below the posted limit.
Question 5: You are travelling at 60 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. Which statement is correct?
- You are within a common tolerance buffer
- You are committing a speeding offence (Correct answer)
- This is acceptable if traffic is moving at that speed
- This is legal on wide roads
Correct answer: You are committing a speeding offence
Travelling 60 km/h in a 50 km/h zone is a speeding offence regardless of traffic flow or road width.
Question 6: What is the key purpose of maintaining a safe following distance?
- To give you time to react and brake before hitting the vehicle ahead (Correct answer)
- To reduce fuel consumption
- To allow other drivers to merge in front of you
- To comply with lane-change rules
Correct answer: To give you time to react and brake before hitting the vehicle ahead
A safe following distance gives you the reaction time and stopping distance needed to avoid a collision if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly.
Question 7: In New Zealand, what speed limit generally applies on an open rural road unless otherwise signed?
- 80 km/h
- 90 km/h
- 100 km/h (Correct answer)
- 110 km/h
Correct answer: 100 km/h
The default open road speed limit in New Zealand is 100 km/h.
New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed Limits and Following 3
What is the default speed limit on an urban road in New Zealand where no speed limit sign is posted?