New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed Limits and Following 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are driving at night on an open road. Why might you need to drive slower than the 100 km/h limit?
- Night driving is always faster due to less traffic
- 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
- Reflective road markings increase your speed perception
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 2: A driver behind you is tailgating. What is the safest response?
- Brake sharply to teach them a lesson
- Speed up to create more space between you and the car ahead
- Gradually increase your following distance to give yourself extra stopping room (Correct answer)
- Change lanes abruptly to let them pass
Correct answer: Gradually increase your following distance to give yourself extra stopping room
Increasing your own following distance gives you more time to brake gently, reducing the risk of a rear-end collision with a tailgater behind you.
Question 3: How does fatigue affect a driver's ability to maintain a safe following distance?
- It has no effect on following distance judgement
- It slows reaction time, meaning a larger gap is needed to compensate (Correct answer)
- It improves concentration, allowing a smaller gap
- It only affects steering, not braking
Correct answer: It slows reaction time, meaning a larger gap is needed to compensate
Fatigue slows reaction time, so a fatigued driver needs an even greater following distance to have the same safety margin.
Question 4: What does a white rectangular sign with a black number and the word 'km/h' indicate in New Zealand?
- A recommended speed for adverse conditions
- A legal maximum speed limit (Correct answer)
- The average speed of traffic ahead
- A minimum speed requirement
Correct answer: A legal maximum speed limit
A white rectangular speed sign with km/h sets a legal maximum speed limit that drivers must not exceed.
Question 5: When approaching a roundabout, what happens to the speed limit?
- It increases to 60 km/h to maintain traffic flow
- The existing posted limit still applies unless a lower limit is signed at the roundabout (Correct answer)
- It always drops to 30 km/h
- It drops to 10 km/h by default
Correct answer: The existing posted limit still applies unless a lower limit is signed at the roundabout
The prevailing road speed limit applies at a roundabout unless a specific lower limit is posted there.
Question 6: On a motorway, what is the maximum speed limit for a light passenger vehicle in New Zealand?
- 110 km/h
- 90 km/h
- 100 km/h (Correct answer)
- 120 km/h
Correct answer: 100 km/h
The maximum speed limit on a New Zealand motorway for a light passenger vehicle is 100 km/h.
Question 7: Which factor does NOT increase your required stopping distance?
- Wet road surface
- Worn tyres
- Travelling downhill
- A freshly painted dry road surface (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A freshly painted dry road surface
A freshly painted dry surface still provides good traction; wet roads, worn tyres, and downhill gradients all significantly increase stopping distance.
New Zealand Car Driving Test Speed Limits and Following 4
You are driving at night on an open road.
Why might you need to drive slower than the 100 km/h limit?