Are you about to embark on a New Zealand adventure? If so, great!
With breathtaking views at every turn, beautiful scenery, and lagoons, it is the ideal spot to find solace in being alone or having extended breaks together. This island country sits just south of mainland Australia.
Although the travel network is highly developed with roads and a good public bus system, perhaps the best way to travel around is by car rental.
Especially if you are overseas and nobody wants to play chauffeur to you.
Trust us, NZ’s finest tourist attractions are small, hidden and nowhere near any city or town. Hiring a car will take you to NZ’s finest landmarks, leave you to linger as long (or as little) as you please, and merely guide you back home.
We sure hope we have gotten you thinking that you should definitely go for a car hire. And if you are already sorted but want to know more, here are five tips on things you should know before car hire in New Zealand.
Article Summary
Address Your Motivations and Goals for the Trip
Before choosing a car, you ought to be fully aware about the purpose of your journey as a person travelling for business will have different needs than a person travelling for leisure.
It is necessary to know why you’re buying the car and to codify your motivations before making your choice; only once that has been done should you look at the conditions of the trip: how long it will be, the status of the roads in the places where you will be driving, and the weather.
For example, backcountry routes invariably require a 4WD to deal with the road conditions, whereas a simple drive across the city might suffice in a compact sedan or SUV.
By planning around that underlying purpose, you can make a much better plan for how to negotiate it through your three weeks’ meandering around New Zealand in search of the best car type for the job.
Select the Right Car Rental Business
You have a range of car rental options you can consider partnering with within New Zealand.
Most of the car rentals in Wellingtown and other major NZ cities are reputable and can provide a car that can definitely bring you places, but if you have specific needs or preferences, then you need to opt for a company that goes the extra mile to deliver with your requests.
For instance, if your need for a car is uncertain, then you may want to find a car that has loose cancellation policies to ensure that you won’t be locked into an expensive offer.
If you want to hire a car that allows you to drop the vehicle off in a different location, then search for car rentals with multiple branches and flexible drop-off features. Need to drop your car later than opening hours but don’t want to spend a whole day? Look for car rental providers that offer late drop-off locations at a cheaper rate.
Of course, you also want to be considerate of the company’s reputation. Read up on reviews and see what past customers have to say about the company. Read the fine print of the contract closely. In doing so, you can gauge whether the car rental service is reliable for your needs or insufficient.
Review Car Insurance
It’s essential for all car hires to come with insurance policies in New Zealand. This not only keeps the car financially covered in case of accidents, but it also guarantees your peace of mind throughout the trip.
In New Zealand, the two mandatory insurance policies for car hires are called theft protection (TP) and a loss damage waiver (LDW). Unlike in Australia, there’s no mandatory third-party insurance required by drivers using their vehicles on public motorways.
TP safeguards both you and the rental company against theft attempts, whether successful or not, involving the vehicle. LDW gives a payout in case the car and driver collide with another vehicle or property.
While not necessary, it’s also a huge perk if the company hiring out vehicles has third-party insurance for their fleet. This insurance pays the hospitalization fees of injured parties in the event of an accident.
Companies that offer comprehensive car insurance options are also ones you should highly consider. While it’s going to add to your costs, this insurance policy provides a breadth of coverage options making you feel more financially reassured on the road. They may even offer roadside assistance and additional perks.
Be sure to review your chosen car hire’s coverage options and choose the one that fits your budget and your needs.
Have All The Necessary Requirements
Before even stepping foot in Kiwi territory, it’s important that you have all the prerequisites ready on hand.
Car hire businesses can deny you service if you lack these crucial documents as they’d be under fire or penalised for illegally permitting you to drive their vehicles.
Here are some of the requirements you need to have before hiring a car:
- A valid and unrestricted driver’s license held for 12 months
- An ID that indicates you’re over 18
- A credit card for the deposit (if applied online)
- An international driver’s permit (IDP) if the license isn’t in English
Unsurprisingly, you also need money to fund the car rental. Most car rentals require you to settle a downpayment beforehand, but you’re free to message them directly and request quotes and flexible payment modes.
The value can vary depending on the season, the car type, the length of rent, and your personal profile. On top of that, young drivers (below 25 years old) need to pay an additional surcharge to account for their age. Fuel and toll surcharges are also billed under your name.
The total daily car hire cost can be anywhere between $10 to $100 a day, so be sure to have the budget for it beforehand.
New Zealand’s Road Rules While Hiring A Car
Before setting out on a New Zealand adventure, you need to wrap your head around New Zealand’s driving scheme.
For Australians, the driving style and etiquette are fairly similar. For overseas travelers used to right-side driving, you’ll have to make a lot of adjustments.
These are some of New Zealand’s road rules you should know:
- The driver’s seat is on the right.
- Vehicles in the roundabout have the right of way.
- Speed limits are strictly observed.
- Drive on the left side of the road.
- Wearing your seatbelt is a must.
- Never cross a solid yellow line to overtake.
- Reduce speed in icy, rainy, and snowy conditions.
- Using your phone while driving is illegal.
- Always stop at stop signs.
By following these rules, you’ll be a more cautious and easygoing driver. A lot of New Zealand’s roads are in windy and hilly terrain, so be sure to remain alert and rest often to not be a victim in any accidents.
Good luck with your New Zealand adventure!
