People do things differently in the U.S. and when traveling, there are many new things that Americans need to adapt to and learn about their foreign destination. New Zealand is a country full of amazing scenery, beautiful natural landscapes, and friendly people. One thing that may be new to you is how to road trip with a campervan hire in New Zealand.
Following are some things for you to know about renting a motorhome and driving in New Zealand before you set out on a road trip:
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Your driver license must be in English. If you have an American driver license-which you most likely do-you don’t have to worry about getting another one to drive around New Zealand, but if for any reason, you have a license from another country that isn’t English speaking, you will need to get an international permit before you go.
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It isn’t very big, but driving takes time. While New Zealand isn’t the largest country around, it takes a significant amount of time to drive from one place to another. This is due to the fact that there are very many hills and mountainous areas, so it isn’t as easy to pass on the road, which could result in a longer trip. Set aside more time for your road trips, just in case.
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Be prepared to want to make unexpected stops. You may plan to see many different cities and destinations that catch your attention, but don’t be too tied to your itinerary, as you may discover as you drive down the highway, that there are beautiful mountains and towns along the way that may be worth a quick visit.
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We drive on the other side of the road. It may be a bit tricky at first to get used to driving on the left side of the road, but it isn’t too challenging. Just think left, left, left, and you should be fine. Before you set out on the open road with your camper van, practice driving on the left for a bit, so you can get out there with confidence.
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Don’t drink and drive. This should be obvious, but sometimes travelers think that they can get away with things in other countries. New Zealand is as strict as the U.S on this point, so it’s better not to do it.
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Don’t make that phone call. It is also illegal to drive while speaking on the phone, so while it may be tempting to call home during a long drive, you may find yourself slapped with a large fine if caught.
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Don’t just camp anywhere. There are some places where you can go ahead and park your camper and get a night of sleep, but there are other places where freedom camping is forbidden, so before you assume that it’s fine to just park anywhere, make sure you won’t get fined. If in doubt, there are many affordable camper parks for overnight staying which will be more comfortable and provide you with the hookups and amenities you may need.