Rental Care Package

To drive legally in New Zealand, you’ll need a valid driver’s licence from your home country. If your licence isn’t in English, you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation. You can drive for up to 12 months from your date of arrival on your overseas licence. Always carry your licence (and IDP if required) when driving, police may ask to see it at any time. If you’re planning a longer stay, you’ll need to convert your licence to a New Zealand one. Remember, rental companies like Mode Rentals may have their own requirements, so check before you book.

Driving with care is the highest priority, especially when you are visiting from a country that drives on the right-hand side of the road, concentration is required to stay safe.

To ensure your trip is a safe and memorable one, here are the most important things to remember:

• Keep LEFT! In New Zealand we drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Always wear your seat belt. Everyone in your vehicle must wear a seatbelt, and children must be secured in an approved child seat. We can rent child seats to you if you didn’t bring your own.
• Keep to the speed limit (usually 100 km/h on highways and 50 km/h in towns) and always stop at STOP signs.
• Always slow down to observe recommended speeds around bends and check for oncoming traffic on one-lane bridges.
• Give way at intersections as signposted, and remember: at roundabouts, traffic flows clockwise and you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, coming from your right.
• Overtake other vehicles only when it’s safe to do so. Use passing lanes whenever possible, and never cross a solid yellow line.
• Stay well-rested. Plan to drive for only 1 – 2 hours at a time, and take regular breaks during your journey to stretch your legs.
• Drive to the conditions. You’ll need to reduce your speed if it’s raining, icy, snowing, windy or if you’re in a roadwork’s area. Ask your accommodation provider if in doubt.
• Use your GPS to estimate driving times while planning your journey. Driving in New Zealand can often take longer than expected due to our winding roads.
• Do not drink and drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime in New Zealand and strictly enforced by police, with severe penalties for offenders.
• It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in New Zealand. If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over at a rest area or in a safe place.
• If you see flashing red and blue lights behind you, pull over safely for the police.

Visit the Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) website for a full Driving in New Zealand multilingual guide, or check out our own driving tips for more.

The “3-second rule” is a simple but vital safety tip for driving in New Zealand. It means you should always keep at least a three-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front. Here’s how it works: pick a roadside marker or sign as the car ahead passes it, then count “one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three.” If you reach the marker before you finish counting, you’re too close, ease back a little. This rule helps you react safely to sudden stops or hazards, especially on winding or wet roads. In poor weather or at higher speeds, increase the gap to four or more seconds.

In New Zealand, “the left-hand rule” refers to two key things: always drive on the left side of the road, and at intersections, give way to vehicles coming from your right unless signs or signals say otherwise. At roundabouts, traffic flows clockwise, and you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout (coming from your right). When turning left, check for cyclists and pedestrians; they have the right of way. If you’re used to driving on the right, it can take a little getting used to, so take extra care at intersections and when pulling out onto roads.

No, you cannot turn left on a red light in New Zealand; this is different from some countries like the United States. You must wait for a green light before turning left at traffic signals. Always check for pedestrians and cyclists before turning, even when the light is green. Obeying traffic signals is essential for everyone’s safety, and police enforce these rules strictly.

Driving in New Zealand can feel different and sometimes trickier, especially if you’re used to wide, straight highways. Many roads here are narrow, winding, and can be steep, particularly in rural or mountainous areas. Weather can change quickly, and you might encounter gravel roads, one-lane bridges, or livestock on the move. For Americans specifically, the biggest adjustment is driving on the left and sitting on the right side of the car, and getting used to distances in kilometres and speed limits in km/h rather than miles. But with a little preparation and a relaxed pace, most visitors find driving here enjoyable and rewarding. Take your time, plan for extra travel time between destinations, and pull over for breaks or to let faster vehicles pass. If you’re new to driving on the left, take it slow at first and consider sharing the driving if you’re travelling with others. With Mode Rentals’ reliable vehicles and 24/7 roadside assistance, you’ll have extra peace of mind wherever your adventure takes you.

The best car for your New Zealand adventure depends on your plans. For city breaks or short trips, a compact car is fuel-efficient and easy to park. If you’re road-tripping with friends or family, consider a spacious SUV or a people-mover for comfort and luggage space. Planning to explore remote areas or tackle gravel roads? An SUV or 4WD offers extra confidence. For solo travellers or couples, a hatchback is a great all-rounder. All Mode Rentals vehicles are well-maintained and suited to New Zealand’s diverse conditions. If you’re unsure, our local team can recommend the perfect ride for your journey.

• First, check if anyone is injured. If emergency assistance is required, call 111 immediately.
• If another party is involved, take their details including full name, drivers licence, mobile number, email, insurance provider, and vehicle registration. It is important to also take photos or videos, and the details of any witnesses present. If the police are involved, please also note the police report number.
• You will also need to fill in a Mode / Zeal Incident form or an Insurance Claim Form (if another party is involved or if there is major damage).
• Call us on +64 9 979 7670 as soon as possible. Leave us a message or send us an email at [email protected] if the accident occurs outside our business hours and we will respond when we next open.
• If the vehicle is not driveable, during business hours, please call us to make towing arrangements. If outside business hours, please call NZRA Roadside Assistance on 09 281 4376 and they may be able to organise for the vehicle to be towed to a secure location or recommend a tow company. Please check and confirm with us before any non-urgent towing is arranged.
• Do not leave the vehicle without ensuring it is safe and secure.

Included in your rental is breakdown cover through NZRA Roadside Assistance. You can call them on 09 281 4376 for all mechanical issues. NZRA is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Cover includes:

• Roadside mechanical failure assistance
• Tow to the nearest place of repair or safety

If the issue is not able to be immediately resolved, please contact us on 09 979 7670 to discuss options.

NZRA Roadside Assistance can also help you with non-mechanical problems but for these, you will need to pay for the call-out fee.

This applies to things like:

• Flat tyres
• Flat battery (if caused by lights or ignition left on)
• Keys lost or locked in the vehicle
• Out of fuel
• Wrong Fuel

• National: 09 979 7670
• Auckland Airport and CBD: 09 373 3925
• Wellington: 04 213 8938
• Christchurch: 03 595 1828
• Queenstown: 03 974 4340

Or reach us on WhatsApp at +64 9 280 4428 or email [email protected], and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Please email us at [email protected] to extend, shorten, or request other changes to your reservation. Note that changes to your booking may affect the hire rate and are subject to availability. If you booked through a third party, please contact them directly to make any changes.

Please see below for the full address for each of our locations:

• Auckland Airport: 110 Montgomerie Rd Airport Oaks, Mangere, Auckland 2022
• Auckland CBD: 26 Te Taou Crescent, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
• Wellington: 25 Shelly Bay Road, Maupuia, Wellington 6022
• Christchurch: 11-15 Logistics Drive, Harewood, Christchurch 8051
• Queenstown: Unit 1/26 Glenda Drive, Frankton Queenstown 9300

Drop-off instructions per branch are available here.

Registered drivers only. Only listed drivers who have signed the rental agreement and supplied a copy of their driver’s licence can drive the vehicle. Anyone driving Mode vehicles without their valid licence listed on the rental contract is not covered by the Mode insurance policy.

Bond and insurance. All hires require a bond, and you’ll be asked to choose your Liability Limit at the time of booking.

Fuel policy. Rental vehicles must be returned with the same fuel level as at pick-up time. In the general, it is a full-to-full fuel policy.

Return cars clean. For the health and safety of our staff, all our rental cars must be returned clean. Please take out all your rubbish and dispose accordingly. If you do not have time to do so prior to dropping off, please do so while in the branch, before boarding the airport shuttle.

Queenstown Parking. Find parking options in Queenstown (here)

Make things stress free and prepay your tolls now for just $10 (cap). This is recommended for itineraries that include the North Island.

With Mode Rentals Prepaid Tolls, we will cover up to $10 of your road tolls. Any excess will be charged to you with no extra fees.

Note that when you travel through either the Auckland Northern Gateway (between Orewa and Puhoi) or the Tauranga Eastern Link / Takitimu Drive toll, you will need to prepay for your toll to ensure your payment is matched to your trip.  Further details can be found on the NZ Transport Agency website.

If a toll is unpaid by you prior to travelling, Mode Rentals will be charged for the toll. If you have not purchased Prepaid Tolls with us, we will on-charge that cost and an additional $25 administration fee to you.

To start off, check out this video tutorial on how to fit 'Easy Fit' snow chains. Ensure your chains are tight, and there are no loose ends that can flap and damage the vehicle. If you think you will need to use snow chains, practice fitting somewhere dry and flat first. Didn’t bring your own? Browse our snow chains and other accessories.

Driving with snow chains:

• Steer away from the hard stuff – Only use chains when there is actual need.
• Drive to the conditions - Travel no faster than 20km/h.
• Keep it steady - Try to keep the vehicle moving without spinning the wheels.
• Brake gently - Start softly and only apply more pressure as the vehicle starts to slow.
• Brake on the straight - Before turning into a corner. Take the corner at a safe speed and start to accelerate again when the vehicle is straight again.
• Accelerate steadily - If you feel the vehicle start to wheel spin, ease back the pressure on the accelerator pedal until you feel the tyres start to grip again.
• Increase your following distance - Your vehicle will take longer to stop on a slippery surface like snow or ice.
• Deep snow - If you get stuck in deep snow, use a shovel to clear the snow around the vehicle and create a track for the tyres to move through. You’ll get better traction once you’re on ground with less snow covering.
• After use – Clean your chains and allow them to dry before placing them back in the bag. Excessively dirty/uncleaned snow chains may incur cleaning fees.

Most frequently travelled roads/state highways are cleared of snow regularly. For many of the alpine passes, the New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) will require chains to be carried if bad weather is forecasted. It is better to be safe – if you do not need to be somewhere urgently, err on the side of caution and delay your travel if possible.

For ski road conditions, please check with the relevant ski resort. Most ski-fields offer a chain fitting service at reasonable prices – this is a great option to ensure safety and avoid damage to the vehicle if you have never used chains before. Remember – as the hirer, you are liable for any damage caused by or to chains due to incorrect fitting, in line with our Terms and Conditions.

For more information regarding road conditions, please check NZTA Journey Planner.