Driving around on your own is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy New Zealand’s landscape. With a population just slightly less than Singapore’s, but a land mass about the size of Great Britain, New Zealand provides the kind of surroundings which mean that most of the time, it’ll just be you and the great outdoors. Here’s how to get started:

You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months from your date of arrival if you have either a current driving licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you will be staying for more than a year, you will need to apply for a New Zealand driver’s licence.

All drivers, including foreign visitors, must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving. You can only drive the same classes of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. The common legal age for renting a car in New Zealand is 21 years.

If you are disqualified from driving or your licence is currently suspended, expired or revoked, you cannot drive in New Zealand.

Different speed limits apply throughout New Zealand. The speed limit is 100kmh on the open road and 50kmh in urban areas, unless a sign says a lower speed applies. However, you may need to drive at a slower speed because of road or weather conditions.

You may come across a sign with the words LSZ. This means you can drive at the open road speed of 100kmh provided it is safe to do so. But if the weather is bad, visibility is poor, there are people, animals or cyclists on road or the road is in poor condition, you must drive at 50kmh.

Although distances seem short on paper, it may take longer than expected to travel between cities and other places of interest. Countryside roads often include hilly or winding terrain, which slow down your journey.

Watch out for farm animals and horses on the road in rural areas. If you come across a herd, slow down and don’t sound your horn as it may startle them. You may have to stop and let the animals “cross the road” or follow the farmer’s instructions.

Most roads in New Zealand have a single lane each way, but have passing lanes at regular intervals. A solid yellow line on your side of the centreline indicates this section of the road is too dangerous to overtake.

Many roads also have one-lane bridges on them, with signs alerting you as you approach them. Vehicles travelling in one direction must give way to vehicles from the other direction, as indicated by the road signs.

Look out for this slippery surface sign in wet or icy conditions – slow down and avoid braking suddenly. During winter and early spring, some roads may be closed because of snow and ice. There will usually be an alternative route for you to take.