Do any countries in the Americas drive on the left?

Yes. While most of the Americas use right-hand traffic, several Caribbean and Atlantic islands, two mainland South American countries (Guyana and Suriname), the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Falkland Islands drive on the left. This pattern reflects colonial histories—particularly British influence—and regional coordination.

The landscape of left-hand traffic in the Americas

Left-hand traffic (LHT) is rare in the Western Hemisphere but far from nonexistent. It clusters in former British territories and neighbors that chose compatibility with them. Below is a region-by-region breakdown of where motorists keep left.

Caribbean and Atlantic islands

The Caribbean features the widest concentration of left-driving jurisdictions in the Americas, spanning independent nations and overseas territories with British legal and road traditions. Travelers should note that vehicle configurations vary—some places import right-hand-drive cars from Asia or the UK, while others mix fleets.

• Bahamas (independent)
• Barbados (independent)
• Jamaica (independent)
• Trinidad and Tobago (independent)
• Antigua and Barbuda (independent)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis (independent)
• Dominica (independent)
• Saint Lucia (independent)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (independent)
• Grenada (independent)
• Bermuda (UK Overseas Territory)
• Cayman Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
• Turks and Caicos Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
• British Virgin Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
• Anguilla (UK Overseas Territory)
• Montserrat (UK Overseas Territory)
• U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S. Territory)

Other Caribbean jurisdictions—such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, the French territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, St. Martin), and the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius)—drive on the right.

Mainland South America

Only two mainland countries in South America use left-hand traffic, both on the continent’s northeastern shoulder. Their rules reflect historical ties and regional coordination with nearby left-driving neighbors.

• Guyana
• Suriname

Every other mainland South American country—including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, and French Guiana—drives on the right.

South Atlantic territories

A small number of South Atlantic territories also keep left, aligning with British motoring norms.

• Falkland Islands (UK Overseas Territory)

These are sparsely populated areas with limited road networks, but the left-hand rule is standard where public roads exist.

What about the rest of the Americas?

All of mainland North and Central America—including Canada, the continental United States (with the notable exception of the U.S. Virgin Islands), Mexico, and the Central American nations—drive on the right. Most Caribbean and Atlantic territories with French or Dutch administration also drive on the right, mirroring their European counterparts.

Why these exceptions exist

Left-hand driving in the region stems largely from British colonial heritage, which set the template for traffic rules in many island territories and former colonies. Suriname, despite its Dutch past, retained left-hand traffic to stay aligned with neighboring Guyana and nearby Caribbean lanes, easing cross-border and maritime connections. The U.S. Virgin Islands are a historical outlier within the U.S. system, maintaining left-hand traffic while commonly using left-hand-drive vehicles.

Practical tips for travelers

If you’re planning to drive across the Americas, switching between left and right can be disorienting. The following pointers can help you adapt quickly and safely.

• At borders and airports, look for prominent signs indicating the driving side and adjust before entering traffic.
• Expect roundabouts to circulate clockwise in left-hand jurisdictions; yield rules may differ from what you’re used to.
• Rental cars may not match the driving side (e.g., left-hand traffic with left-hand-drive vehicles in the U.S. Virgin Islands); take extra care with sightlines and overtaking.
• Refresh local rules on turning on red, seat-belt use, child seats, and mobile phone laws—they vary by jurisdiction.
• Pedestrians should reverse their habitual checks: in left-driving areas, look right first when stepping off the curb.

With a few minutes of orientation—and cautious first miles—most drivers adjust quickly to the side swap.

Summary

Yes, parts of the Americas drive on the left. These include numerous Caribbean and Atlantic islands (such as Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, the BVI, Anguilla, Montserrat, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), the mainland nations of Guyana and Suriname, and the Falkland Islands. Everywhere else in the Americas, motorists generally drive on the right.

Did Canada ever drive on the left side of the road?

Driving in the left lane was the norm on the east and west coasts of Canada, until cross-country jaunts by automobile became more common and the need for standard cross-border traffic rules became more urgent. Central Canada and the prairie provinces had always followed the American practice of driving on the right.

Do any American countries drive on the left?

Today the United States is RHT except the United States Virgin Islands, which is LHT like many neighbouring islands.

Why did the US switch to right side driving?

for their convenience the US switched from the left to right side. so right hand driving became the norm in the US. then when the pan-american highway was being built basically all the countries in the americas who drove on the left were pressured to switch to the right in the 1920s when construction began.

Do any European countries drive on the left?

The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive on the left. If you’re hiring a car on a European holiday anywhere except for these places, you’ll need to be confident driving on the opposite side of the road.