Whether you have booked a short vacation to New Zealand or an extended trip, if you plan on renting a car to get around, you need to know how to stay safe.

Driving in a foreign country is never going to be easy, often you are driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, on the ‘wrong’ side of the car. There are no two ways about it, driving abroad can be scary at times.

That being said, there are some things you can do to make driving abroad a little bit easier, and safer. To stay safe while driving in New Zealand, have a read of our simple tips, below:

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Get an experienced driver to take the wheel  – If you are part of a travel group, ensure that the person with the most driving experience is in charge of the car. In stressful driving situations, having the most experienced person behind the wheel is important.

Experienced drivers tend to be calmer drivers, and even when they feel stressed out; they stay calm. Whereas newer drivers tend to panic in stressful situations, which could result in an accident. So wherever possible, always let the most experienced driver take charge.

Be sure to rent a car that is easy to drive – Driving abroad can be stressful, but by hiring a car that is easy to drive, you can take some of the stress out of it. You might think that driving an automatic would be easier than a manual, but if you aren’t used to it, it will only cause you more stress.

If you can, choose a car that is as similar to the car that you drive at home as possible. You will find it much easier to adjust to driving in a foreign country if you are in a vehicle that you feel comfortable in. To find all the best rental cars, have a look online at http://www.rentalcars.co.nz/auckland-airport/. Here you will find a wide range of hire vehicles to choose from, from cars to campervans.

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Read up on the rules for driving in New Zealand – The rules and regulations for driving in New Zealand probably aren’t the same as the rules for driving at home. So make sure that before your trip, you read up on the different rules in place.

You will find it much easier to drive abroad if you are aware of what you are and aren’t allowed to do. Try to familiarize yourself with these rules and regulations, so that you can follow them while you drive.

Let people pass you –  As someone who is new to driving in New Zealand, you will probably drive slower than native drivers. If while you are on the road, a traffic jam begins to form behind you, pull over and let other cars pass.

It doesn’t matter how slow you drive, just as long as you are willing to let other drivers past. There is no point rushing around and driving too fast when you don’t know the roads; it’s much better to take things slowly.

To ensure that driving in New Zealand goes as well as possible, take the time to prepare beforehand. Learn the country’s rules, and you will be a much better driver.

Bon voyage!

Written by Jacqueline Chambers

Jacqueline Chambers

Jacqueline Chambers is the founder of TGIFguide. She uses her innate skills as a natural “connector” to serve businesses, brands and individuals in the LA area and beyond.