I drove on the left side of the road for the first time in New Zealand. Here are 7 mistakes I made.

Monica HumphriesDec 4, 2022, 17:44 IST

The author in front of her rental car in Queenstown, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

I live in the US and in June, I visited New Zealand where people drive on the left side of the road.
I drove two rental cars in two cities, and it was my first time driving under these road rules.

In June, I arrived on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, and hopped into the driver's seat of my rented Toyota Rav4. There was just one problem: I would have to drive on the left side of the road.

The rental car parked on the side of the road in Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

In June, I arrived on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, and hopped into the driver's seat of my rented Toyota Rav4. There was just one problem: I would have to drive on the left side of the road.

I should've carved out some practice time before I merged onto busy roads.

The author's rental car in the parking lot on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

Unfamiliar with the metric system, I lacked any sense of distance when it came to meters. This meant my turn signals were often on for far too long.

A screenshot of directions while driving in Queenstown, New Zealand.Google Maps

Speaking of turning, I constantly switched on the windshield wipers instead of my blinkers.

Almost every time Insider's author attempted to turn a turning signal on, she instinctively turned on windshield wipers instead.Monica Humphries/Insider

I didn't know enough about navigating roundabouts before landing in New Zealand.

A roundabout in Queenstown, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

I think driving on the left side of the road would've been much easier if I had a friend with me.

The author in the front seat of a rental car.Monica Humphries/Insider

Next time I drive in a new country, I'll also pack a phone mount for my next trip.

An arrow points to the cup holder where Insider's author stored her phone while driving.Monica Humphries/Insider

But my biggest challenge was understanding perspective in my new driver's seat.

A view of a climbing, narrow road on Waiheke Island in New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

At the end of my trip, I dropped off my rental car keys and checked off a new life experience. Albeit stressful, I don't have any regrets about exploring New Zealand by car.

The author in her rental car.Monica Humphries/Insider

At the end of my trip, I dropped off my rental car keys and checked off a new life experience. Albeit stressful, I don't have any regrets about exploring New Zealand by car.

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I drove on the left side of the road for the first time in New Zealand. Here are 7 mistakes I made.

In June, I arrived on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, and hopped into the driver's seat of my rented Toyota Rav4. There was just one problem: I would have to drive on the left side of the road.

I should've carved out some practice time before I merged onto busy roads.

Unfamiliar with the metric system, I lacked any sense of distance when it came to meters. This meant my turn signals were often on for far too long.

Speaking of turning, I constantly switched on the windshield wipers instead of my blinkers.

I didn't know enough about navigating roundabouts before landing in New Zealand.

I think driving on the left side of the road would've been much easier if I had a friend with me.

Next time I drive in a new country, I'll also pack a phone mount for my next trip.

But my biggest challenge was understanding perspective in my new driver's seat.

At the end of my trip, I dropped off my rental car keys and checked off a new life experience. Albeit stressful, I don't have any regrets about exploring New Zealand by car.