Changes to New Zealand’s road rules begin on 1 October 2026, making this a good time to refresh our knowledge.
Drivers must give way to buses leaving stops in areas where the speed limit is 60km/h or less.
Motorists will also need to leave at least 1.5 metres when passing cyclists and certain other road users in the same lane. E-scooters will be allowed in cycle lanes, and children aged 12 and under may cycle on footpaths with an older rider.
If you gained your licence many years ago, some rules may now be quite different.
That’s where Staying Safe: Refresher Courses for Older Drivers can help.
Run by Age Concern with support from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Staying Safe helps drivers aged 65 and over refresh their knowledge, understand age-related changes, and build confidence. Workshops cover roundabout signalling, the “Top of the T” rule, blind spots, sharing the road with cyclists, and licence renewal after 74.
Staying Safe is not a driving test. It is about knowledge, confidence and awareness, so you can keep making safe, informed decisions. For more information, contact Age Concern Wairarapa on 06 377 0066, pop into our office, or visit our Expo at War Memorial Stadium on 14th October 2026.
