Car rental in New Zealand
Renting a car in New Zealand: what US and Canadian drivers need to know
In New Zealand you drive on the left. A valid US or Canadian license in English works for up to 12 months from your latest arrival. Roads are slower than the map suggests: winding two-lane highways, one-lane bridges and some gravel roads. If you're visiting both islands, ask how the car crosses Cook Strait before you book.
Planning a New Zealand trip? Tell us your dates and where you'd like to pick up.
Tell us your dates →Where to pick up
Many trips start in Auckland and end in Queenstown or Christchurch. A one-way trip usually carries a fee, so check it before you book.
Which car for New Zealand
- A small or mid-size car is fine for main highways and most sightseeing roads.
- Automatics are common in New Zealand rental fleets; say if you need one when you ask.
- An SUV adds space and ground clearance, not permission: most rental terms still exclude certain gravel roads and beaches whatever you drive.
- Driving to the ski fields or over alpine passes in winter? Ask for snow chains and practice fitting them before you need them.
Your license
- An English-language US or Canadian license can be used for up to 12 months from your latest arrival in New Zealand. The 12 months start again each time you arrive.
- Carry the physical card. If your license isn't in English, you need an International Driving Permit or an approved English translation.
- Staying longer than 12 months? You'll need a New Zealand license.
Rules that surprise visitors
- Keep left, and at roundabouts give way to traffic from your right.
- One-lane bridges: a red-ringed sign means you give way; a blue sign with a big white arrow means you have priority.
- Speeds are in km/h: 100 km/h is the usual open-road limit, 50 in towns, and some expressways are signed 110.
- Alcohol: zero for drivers under 20; a lower limit than most US states for everyone else.
- No handheld phone use while driving.
- A few roads have electronic tolls with no booths; you pay online afterward.
Rental cover in New Zealand
Most rentals include basic damage cover with a deductible: the most you pay if the car is damaged or stolen. You can usually reduce it at the counter or when you book. Read what's excluded: certain gravel roads, beaches, water damage and the car's underside are common exclusions.
Crossing between the islands
The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries cross Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton in about 3.5 hours. Some rental companies let the car cross on the ferry; others ask you to drop it at the terminal and collect another car on the other side. Ask which applies before you book.
At the counter
Your license (and IDP or translation if it isn't in English), your passport, and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit hold.
Road trips
- Queenstown to Milford Sound (est. 290 km, 4 h each way).
- Auckland to Rotorua and Taupō.
- Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo (est. 480 km, about 6 h 15 min).
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in New Zealand with a US license?
Do I need an International Driving Permit in New Zealand?
Is it hard to drive in New Zealand?
Can I take a rental car on the ferry to the South Island?
Can I pick up in Auckland and drop off in Queenstown?
Can I drive on gravel roads in a rental car?
How old do I need to be to rent a car in New Zealand?
Last checked October 28, 2026.