APEX NEW ZEALAND – ADDITIONAL RENTAL INFORMATION

RENTAL CONTACT DETAILS

CHANGES TO FERRY CROSSING DATES AND TIMES

If you have booked your ferry tickets through us and wish to change these details, please contact central reservations centre as soon as you can. We are happy to make any changes requested, subject to availability. Please call central reservations on 0800 500 660 for assistance.

ACCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURE

In the event of an accident please:

1. Notify us as soon as practical on 0800 500 660.
2. Notify the police if the accident involves injury.
3. You will need to allow at least 30 minutes to complete a full accident report form when you return the vehicle.
4. If possible, prepare a written statement of the facts signed by all parties. If agreement cannot be reached, obtain a copy of the police report.
5. Do not make any admission of liability, as this may prejudice your insurance cover.
6. Record full details of all parties and vehicles involved in the accident.
   In the event of an accident, please record the following information about the other party (where possible):
   • Driver Name
   • Vehicle registration number
   • Address
   • Telephone number
   • Mobile number
   • Email address
   • Insurance company
   • Make / Model / Year
   • Apparent damage

Please note: Unless you have purchased collision damage waiver, you will be required to pay all vehicle damage up to a maximum of the insurance excess. If you have a camera - please take photographs of damaged vehicles and the accident site to verify the damage and circumstances to assist us with our claim.

BREAKDOWN PROCEDURE

All of our vehicles are covered by the Automobile Association (AA) 24 hour roadside assistance scheme for any mechanical breakdowns.

In the event that you need roadside assistance, please call the AA freephone number 0800 22 27 39 or +64 9 969 9747. You will be asked for the car registration number and our AA membership number, this is 728837. If the AA are unable to assist, please contact us on 0800 500 660.

Please Note: Non-mechanical call outs where the requirement for the Automobile Association (AA) to attend is due to driver error or oversight (e.g. running out of petrol/leaving lights on) you will need to pay the Automobile Association (AA) directly for their services prior to their attendance – unless you have purchased our additional Roadside Assistance Cover.

TYRE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT

If you get a flat tyre and are not able to change it yourself please call the Automobile Association (AA) Roadside Assistance number (toll free 0800 22 27 39 or +64 9 969 9747).

Please Note: Unless you purchased additional Roadside Assistance cover, there is a cost for this service. If tyre damage is the result of an accident, even if no other vehicles were involved, please call Apex in the first instance. For tyre repair or replacement please phone 0800 80 20 80 for the closest Firestone dealer. You will need to take the car to the dealer who will then contact us before repairing the tyre. Most tyre damage is repaired at the hirers expense.

CHANGES TO RETURN DATE AND / OR RETURN BRANCH

If you wish to change your return location or return date, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance. Contact our Customer Care team by calling toll free on 0800 500 660.

Please Note: All extensions are subject to vehicle availability and may not always be possible. This applies to all locations, including when you would prefer to return to a different location in the same city.

TOLL ROADS, PARKING FINES, SPEEDING TICKETS, AND OTHER INFRINGEMENTS

If you travel on a toll road, the toll fee must be paid within 5 days of using the road. Toll fees can be paid online at www.tollroad.govt.nz or by calling 0800 40 20 20.

During the rental period, you, as the Hirer or Credit Card Holder are fully responsible for the payment of any infringements incurred. Please refer to clause 16 of the Rental Agreement for full details.

Please Note: If you fail to pay a toll fee and Apex receives a notice of unpaid tolls, we will transfer liability for the infringement to you and charge administration fees for our time. At no point does Apex pay for toll fees or any other infringement, nor does Apex receive money to pay for them on your behalf.

NEW ZEALAND EMERGENCY SERVICES

The emergency services (Police, Ambulance, Fire Service) number in New Zealand is 111.

IMPORTANT DRIVING INFORMATION

Please read our Safe Driving in New Zealand information to familiarise yourself with driving in New Zealand and the basic road rules.

The most important points are summarised below and we ask that you wear a seat belt, drive to the speed limit, keep to the left hand side of the road, pay attention to the road at all times, don’t drive tired, and keep yourself, your passengers, and other road users safe.

KEEP LEFT WHILST IN NEW ZEALAND

• In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road. Please keep left at all times.

SPEED LIMITS AND ROAD RULES

• Most New Zealand roads are single carriageway, with one lane in each direction.
• If the centre road markings are a solid yellow line on your side of the road or double yellow lines, you must not overtake under any circumstances. Yellow lines indicate it is very dangerous to do so.
• Only overtake another vehicle when there is clear road and plenty of room to do so safely. Passing manoeuvres are high risk and account for a significant number of vehicle accidents.
• In New Zealand we have a significant number of single lane bridges. They will have a sign to indicate which side of the road has priority. Take care when approaching a one lane bridge and give way if required.
• Take special care at complex intersections or motorway on ramps – look out for ‘WRONG WAY’ signs.
• Take care navigating intersections and roundabouts, paying attention to the correct use of traffic lanes and turning signals.
• Drive to the speed limit at all times. New Zealand has narrow, hilly, winding roads and you will see recommended speed limits for some corners. Slow down to the indicated speed limit when driving around tight corners.
• Excessive speed and dangerous overtaking is not tolerated by the NZ Police. If Apex, or the Police, receive reports of such behaviour from other road users, the Police will stop you and the car may be taken off you with no replacement car and no refund. Please follow the road rules and slow down.
• Many rural roads in New Zealand are not sealed with tarmac or concrete. Instead they are sealed with loose stones and gravel, making the surface slippery. You must take more care and slow down on these roads, especially when driving around bends or corners. Hard braking can result in the car sliding off the road out of control. A maximum safe speed is no more than 50 km/hr and you will need to slow to 30 km/hr or less for bends and when driving downhill.

MOBILE PHONES AND GPS

• Drivers must not use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. There are very heavy fines for this.
• All mobile devices must be either completely hands free or mounted securely to the vehicle in a phone cradle and can only be touched infrequently & briefly.
• Writing, reading, or sending text messages on a mobile phone while driving is also illegal.
• If you are relying on GPS navigation, plan and map your route before you start driving. Under no circumstances should drivers change settings or route information while driving. Either pull over or have the passenger do this. Drivers need to keep full attention on the road at all times.

SEATBELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS

• All occupants of the vehicle must wear a safety belt. Small children must be secured in a Child Safety Seat or Child Booster Seat.
• Please Note: It is a legal requirement in New Zealand that children under the age of seven or under 148cm tall must be secured in a Child Safety Seat or Child Booster Seat at all times while travelling in the vehicle.

DRIVING DISTANCES AND TRIP PLANNING

• In New Zealand, it can take much longer to cover short distances due to the narrow, hilly, winding roads you’ll encounter. Plan accordingly! Know how far you’re going to travel and take plenty of time to get there.
• New Zealand has beautiful, spectacular scenery. If you want to stop and view or photograph those special spots, always do so safely. Never stop on the road. Always pull off the road to a safe area.
• Don’t drive tired! You are more likely to have an accident if you drive while tired. Here are some simple tips to follow:
1. Get plenty of rest before a long drive.
2. Take a break from driving every two hours.
3. If possible, share the driving with someone else.
4. Avoid large meals and drink plenty of fluid.
5. If you feel tired please stop driving.

TIPS FOR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS

• Front seat passengers should be responsible for operating the GPS.
• Front seat passengers should stay alert and ensure the car is on the left side of the road. Keep left at all times!
• Front seat passengers should control the music & any snacks.
• Front seat passengers should ensure the driver is alert at all times. If the driver is tired, tell them to stop.