This guide details everything you need to know about renting a car in New Zealand! From how much it costs, what the road rules are, and what type of car you should rent!
New Zealand is best explored by road-tripping, so it is a good idea to rent a car if you are visiting here from overseas. As doing so enables you to travel around at your leisure and go to places you otherwise would not be able to get to.
That said, before you rent a vehicle and start driving around New Zealand, you probably have a few questions in your mind. Especially if you are not from here. Well, that’s where I come in! I’ve lived in New Zealand for a couple of years and have rented a car on many occasions. So, I know the rules of the road here, the best drives to take, and the car rental companies in New Zealand!
For this reason, we’ve put together this list of 12 things you must know before hiring a car in New Zealand. Hopefully, it will make the process much easier for you.
Top Tip: We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after. I’ve tried many times to rent direct with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
What to know before renting a car in New Zealand:
1. Is it a good idea to rent a car in New Zealand?
YES, it is well worth renting a car in New Zealand. I understand that it can be costly to do so, but with a car, you will be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without being constrained by timetables or other people. Like you would if you relied on public transport or a guided tour here.
New Zealand is one of the most drop-dead-gorgeous countries in the world. It really does look like Middle Earth here. And the best way to get to its off-the-beaten-path spots is by hiring a car.
Plus, public transport in New Zealand is limited, especially to its hidden gems. As I said, I’ve lived in Queenstown for a couple of years and I’ve been on loads of road trips here. And after living here, I’ve realized the need for a car to see the best of the country!
Aside from transportation, having access to a rental car also provides you with a place to store your belongings. Meaning you won’t have to lug backpacks around with you everywhere. Plus, it can give you shelter, which can be very handy if the rain, wind, or even snow picks up when you are out and about.
And it provides a safe place to have a quick 40 winks, should the exertions of touring around take its toll.
2. The best road trips in New Zealand:
If you rent a car, it is fair to say New Zealand is your oyster. Well, at least the North or South Island is, depending on which one you are currently on.
My favorite drives in New Zealand:
- Southern Scenic Route on the South Island – which takes you from Dunedin to Queenstown, passing through the mesmerizing landscapes of the Catlins and Fiordland National Park.
- The Thermal Explorer Highway from Auckland to Rotorua is another favorite, it showcases geothermal wonders, lush forests, and Maori culture.
- The Twin Coast Discovery Highway offers an enchanting tour of Northland’s beautiful beaches and historic sites.
Both islands have several epic drives you can embark on that showcase the country’s incredible natural beauty and rich heritage. On the North Island, the coastal drive from Auckland to Paihia in Northland will have you in a constant state of goosebumps. FYI, the beaches in Northland are some of the best in the country.
Similarly, the route from Taupo to Rotorua is full of stunning landscapes, including some of the nation’s best hot springs.
On the South Island, a road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch will take you to places like Lake Tekapo, where you can see the Southern Lights and the magnificent Lake Pukaki.
Likewise, driving from Dunedin to Queenstown along the Southern Scenic Route reveals some of the country’s best beaches and most impressive waterfalls. Another super-popular road trip here is the drive from Queenstown to Mount Cook (it’s popular for good reason!)
And one of my favorite drives on the South Island is the short but sweet drive from Te Anau into Milford Sound.
3. What do I need to know about renting a car in New Zealand?
The most important thing you will need if renting a vehicle in New Zealand is a valid driver’s license. As no company will allow you to do so without one. If you are driving with an American license or hold one from the UK or Australia, make sure the license number and photo are clearly visible.
It is worth noting that while the official driving age in New Zealand is 16, you will find it difficult to find a car hire company that will rent a vehicle to anyone under the age of 21. Infact, most would rather you be over the age of 25, so often add a fee for drivers younger than this. Each company has different T&Cs, so it’s wise to make yourself fully aware of them.
Additionally, you might also need a valid credit card if you don’t take out full coverage car insurance, as rental companies will want to keep one as a holding deposit.
Related Read: If you’re on a budget and plan to visit Queenstown during your time in New Zealand, it’s worth it to check my guide to visiting Queenstown on a budget!
Do you need an international driver’s permit to rent a car in New Zealand?
If you are traveling from a non-English country, you might want to procure an international driver’s license to make the rental process easier.
4. Is renting a car in New Zealand expensive?
In New Zealand, the cost of hiring a car can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
After doing extensive searching, I’d say the average price of renting a small economy car here is $100 NZD per day. Although, many places do deals if you rent the car for longer (more than a week).
How to get the best deal on a rental car in New Zealand:
You should always try to rent your vehicle from major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, or Hamilton on the North Island or from Queenstown, Christchurch, and Dunedin on the South Island. Generally speaking, car hire companies in more remote towns and locations tend to have fewer, yet more expensive options and often include extra fees.
As you would expect, hiring a car in the low tourist season months of June to August will be cheaper than if you book one in the height of summer, between December and February. You will also find lower prices for accommodation, tours, and activities at this time.
Another good way to save money is to book a small, manual car. They tend to be cheaper than electric cars or 4WD. You should also try, as much as you can, to return the car to the same location in which you picked it up, as it tends to be more expensive to drop it off at another.
5. Driving and roads in New Zealand
Just like in the UK and Australia, they drive on the left-hand side in New Zealand. So, it follows that the steering wheel sits on the right-hand side of the car. (Don’t be surprised if you try and get into the wrong door for much of the first day!). Moreover, if you are driving a manual, the gear stick will be on the opposite side. So it will take some time to get used to it.
Most of the roads in New Zealand that link towns and cities are tarmacked, so you should find them easy to drive. However, in more rural areas, some of them can be quite narrow and twisty. Hence, you should drive cautiously when travelling on those.
It is worth noting that in some regions, particularly remote ones where hiking is a popular activity, you might experience gravel roads. Some companies don’t allow their regular cars to be driven along gravel roads. Therefore, you should consider hiring a 4WD if you plan to visit areas where you might encounter them.
Essential facts about driving in New Zealand for the first-time:
- They drive on the left side of the road
- One-lane bridges are quite common in New Zealand. You will need to yield when you approach and follow the signs on who should drive across first.
- Watch out for the speed limits! Funnily enough, there are really only 2 speed limits in New Zealand -100 km/hr on the highways and 50 km/hr in urban areas.
6. You may save money on insurance with your credit card
Car hire companies will try and get you to take out insurance to cover any potential damage that might happen to the vehicle. Before you do this, it is a good idea to check if your credit card already covers you. Many credit cards already offer certain types of rental coverage.
Likewise, you might also be safeguarded by your travel insurance provider. Therefore, you should refer to them to see what you are already protected for.
7. You should take photos of the car during the inspection
Before hiring a car, most companies will do an inspection of it with you, which serves as a baseline to measure any dints or damage that might occur when you drive it.
At this time, you should take photos of the vehicle yourself and do a thorough once-over of it, so you are aware of all the scratches, marks, and bumps it currently has on them.
By doing this, you will be able to prove that they were already on the vehicle when you hired it, if they try to charge you for them.
It is also a good idea to take a photo of the mileage meter if you are driving a petrol car to make sure it matches the records you are given by the company.
How expensive is gas in New Zealand?
On average, the price of regular unleaded gasoline here ranges between $2.50 and $3.00 NZD per liter. However, these prices can fluctuate significantly based on the location, with urban areas often seeing higher prices than rural regions.
8. What are New Zealand’s road rules?
New Zealand has some very strict road rules in place. Therefore, you should take the time to familiarise yourself with some of them to ensure you don’t break any rules that might cause you to be stopped by the police.
Speed limits are in kilometers, with 50 km/h being the limit in built-up and urban areas and 100 km/h outside of these areas and on motorways and expressways. Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers in the vehicle, including those in the backseats. Additionally, all children aged 7 or under must be sitting in a car seat.
You are strongly recommended not to drink any alcohol and then drive. The limit is 0.05% for drivers over the age of 20. Using mobile phones while you drive is also illegal, so if you need to make a call, either pull over somewhere safe or use hands-free or Bluetooth.
9. Do they have toll roads in New Zealand?
Yes, they do have some toll roads in New Zealand, and the responsibility falls on you to pay it. Car hire companies are not obliged to remind you about toll charges, though most will give you a courtesy heads-up.
Thankfully, there are only three toll roads in the country, all of which are on the North Island. They are the Takitimu Drive Toll Road, Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and Northern Gateway Toll Road, the latter of which is in Auckland.
You can pay the toll fees online by visiting the Transport Agency website.
10. How much does it cost to rent a car in New Zealand?
The cost of renting a car in New Zealand depends on a few factors including the company you are hiring from, the time of year you want to do so, what vehicle you want to drive and, how long you want to reserve it for.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around $50 – $130 NZD to hire a basic, small economy car for one day in the low season. While it might cost you around $300 NZD to hire one for a week in the quiet season. In the high season, you would be looking at around $150 a day NZD and $400+ NZD a week.
Overall, the longer you choose to rent a vehicle, the more cost-effective it will be for you. Therefore, it is a good idea to plan one big road trip to reduce the amount you will have to fork out on a rental car.
Top Tip: We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
11. What extras can you get with your car?
Like most countries in the world, hire cars in New Zealand tend to come with standard offerings. However, there are some optional extras you might want to consider.
They include child seats, snow chains, GPS and even the provision of additional drivers, which might be something for you to consider.
12. What happens if you get in an accident?
If you find yourself involved in an accident, the first thing you should do is remain calm and not panic.
Should the accident be a minor one, try to move to a safe part of the road or parking area. Then if the other person is not being aggressive or intimidating, exchange details with them including their name, phone number and car registration. Once you have done that you will be able to continue on your way, although you should notify your car hire company immediately to keep them in the loop.
Should the accident be more serious and require emergency services like the police or ambulance to be called then you should phone 111 immediately. You should also let your rental company know as soon as possible as they will be able to advise you on what you will need to do next. (It will differ between companies).
Thanks for Reading!
While you’re here why not check out my most popular blog posts, some of my favorites include:
Spending two days in Queenstown
How to Get to Milford Sound from Queenstown
Living in Queenstown New Zealand-Absolutely Everything You Should Know
Which Milford Sound Cruise Should I Choose?
Last Updated on April 2, 2025 by snaphappytravel