How Easy is it to Drive in Niue?
There’s nothing too complicated about driving in Niue. As long as you can avoid a few potholes and have a good arm for waving at the locals as you pass, you’ll be sweet. Niue is an uncomplicated country to drive, with no need for traffic lights and no highways. The road rules that are in place are easy to remember, while the hazards can be counted on one hand: chickens, dogs and potholes. See if it is easy to drive in Niue with this quick guide.
Tips for Driving in Niue
Niue is an easy country to drive in as long as you follow these simple tips:
- Drive on the left side of the road
- Take it easy on the speed – it’s 40km/h in villages and 60km/h elsewhere unless stated otherwise
- Stop at the stop signs
- Drive carefully over and around potholes
- Know where you can and can’t park
- Don’t do a u-turn at any interections
For tips, see the 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Niue, as well as 10 Road Rules for Niue You Need to Know.
(c) niuepocketguide.comRoad Rules in Niue
Niue’s road network isn’t too complex. They don’t even need traffic lights anywhere in the whole country! With that, the road rules are pretty simple to follow, as long as you are aware of them.
Keep Left
Traffic in Niue moves on the left side of the road. For anyone coming from a country that drives on the right, you may need to remind yourself to keep left, especially when coming out of intersections.
Parking Rules
There are a few parking rules to abide by in Niue. First, it is prohibited from parking on the yellow lines in Alofi. You are also prohibited from parking in the Parliament building car park. It is a good custom to respect the “No Parking” signs that locals might put outside of their driveways. Finally, refrain from parking on the roadside gravesites.
U-Turns
U-turns are forbidden at any intersection in Niue. In addition, it is prohibited to do a u-turn at the Parliament buildings.
Speed Limits
The speed limit in villages and Alofi is 40km/h unless there are road signs stating otherwise. For the open road, the speed limit is 60km/h unless stated otherwise.
For more road rules and extra tips, see How to Drive in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comWhat are the Rental Vehicles Like in Niue?
Rental vehicles in Niue are generally in good condition. Car rental companies keep their vehicles maintained and have roadside assistance should you run into any trouble.
There are a large number of cars to choose from in Niue, from small hatchbacks to 4WD vehicles to minibuses to motorcycles. Most vehicles have an automatic transmission, while a limited few may be manual. You should hire a car that you are comfortable driving.
Dive deeper into the car rentals available in Niue in The Guide to Car Hire in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comWhat are the Roads Like in Niue?
Around 123km (76 miles) of Niue’s roads are paved. The road network is limited and easy to follow with roadsigns updated regularly. However, potholes are extremely frequent in Niue, so care needs to be taken when driving on any of Niue’s paved roads. The west side of the island is kept in slightly better condition than the east side.
Niue’s inland bush roads, as well as some roads leading to sea tracks, are either gravel or dirt roads. Most of these roads can be found on the north, east and south coasts of the island. They are typically single-file roads and can be unsuitable for rental cars when wet. Any roads on the island that are generally unsuitable for rental cars are clearly marked on the tourist maps available at the Visitor Information Centre in Alofi.
For more information on the state of the roads, see Is it Safe to Drive Around Niue?
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