This page lists any updates to The official New Zealand road code since the last published edition. These changes will usually have been caused by a legislation change.
The 2019/2020 version of The official New Zealand road code was published in March 2019.
Page 53
What does the full licence practical test involve?
The list of critical errors for a full practical test has been amended to remove ‘failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign’ and now reads:
During the test you could incur a critical error for the following:
Page 130
Passing
Added new text due to sharrow marking and flush median rule changes.
Passing a cyclist
Ideally allow at least 1.5m between you and a cyclist when passing. If you cannot pass safely, slow down and wait behind the cyclist until you can pass safely.
There are some situations where cyclist may want to move toward the centre of lane in order to keep safe. This is called “taking the lane”. A driver of a motor vehicle may encroach on a flush median, when passing a cyclist provided they do so safely.
Situations when cyclists may take the lane are:
You may see a sharrow marking in these situations.
The sharrow road marking indicates a situation where cyclists are likely to ride more toward the centre of the lane in order to be safe. Drivers should slow down and follow the cyclists until the road widens and they can pass safely, or use another lane to pass the cyclist.
Page 170
Stopping at intersections, railway level crossings and pedestrian crossings
Added text to clarify new rules around cycle-only lanes
Cycle-only lanes
Cycle-only lanes are marked by a symbol of a cycle on the road. A driver must not stop in or obstruct a cycle lane. When approaching an intersection a driver must not enter a cycle lane if the drivers intended passage or exit is blocked by stationary traffic and the driver will obstruct the cycle lane.
Advanced stop box
An advanced stop box is a green square with a white cycle symbol at the head of a controlled intersection. It is for cyclists only and gives them a head start when the lights turn green. Motorists should not encroach on the green cycle box and should expect cyclists to come through to the front of the queue.
Page 243
Safe driving around cyclists
Updated text to include new sharrow markings and cycle lane rules
Page 252
How to do a hook turn
Added new hook turn sign information