Do European Countries Drive on the Right?
Yes. The vast majority of European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road; only a small group—including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta—drive on the left. This distinction matters for travelers and cross-border drivers, as rules can change from one side of a frontier to the other.
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Europe’s Rule of the Road at a Glance
Across continental Europe, right-hand traffic is standard, a pattern shaped by historical influence from France and 20th-century reforms. Notably, Sweden changed from left to right in 1967 and Iceland followed in 1968, consolidating the continent’s right-driving majority. Left-hand driving survives mainly in the British Isles and a few island states.
The Exceptions: Places in Europe That Drive on the Left
Only a handful of countries and nearby jurisdictions in or adjacent to Europe keep left. These are crucial to note if you’re planning a road trip that crosses borders or involves island travel.
- United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
- Republic of Ireland
- Cyprus (including the UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia)
- Malta
- Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark) — Crown Dependencies of the UK
- Isle of Man — Crown Dependency of the UK
These left-driving areas are the exceptions rather than the rule. Travelers should also remember that Gibraltar, despite being a British Overseas Territory bordering Spain, drives on the right.
Countries That Drive on the Right
The following European countries keep right. This list covers EU and non‑EU states, microstates, and transcontinental nations with territory in Europe.
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia (Czech Republic)
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia (European part)
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey (European part)
- Ukraine
- Vatican City
Territories and autonomous regions generally follow their administering countries: for example, Gibraltar (right, aligned with Spain next door), the Faroe Islands (right, Denmark), Åland (right, Finland), and Svalbard (right, Norway).
Why Most of Europe Drives on the Right
History and Harmonization
France’s right-hand convention spread during the Napoleonic era, influencing neighbors. Over time, cross-border trade, vehicle design (with left-hand-drive cars dominating the European market), and road safety considerations encouraged alignment. Landmark switches—Sweden’s 1967 “Dagen H” and Iceland’s 1968 change—reduced confusion at borders and standardized traffic flow across the continent.
Practical Tips for Cross-Border Drivers
If you’ll be driving between left- and right-hand jurisdictions in Europe, a few preparations can make the transition smoother and safer.
- Check which side in advance: confirm the rule before you cross a border or pick up a rental car.
- Mind roundabouts and turns: practice the first few minutes after switching sides—approach roundabouts and multi-lane junctions cautiously.
- Adjust mirrors and headlights: ensure visibility and, where required, use beam deflectors to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
- Follow local speed units and signs: most of Europe uses km/h; the UK uses miles per hour on many signs.
- Use lane reminders: temporary dashboard notes or GPS prompts help keep you on the correct side after stops.
With a little planning, switching sides at European borders is manageable, and rental agencies can advise on local requirements and equipment.
Summary
Most European countries drive on the right; the principal left-driving exceptions are the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta, along with some nearby islands that follow British practice. For travelers, knowing where the switch occurs—and preparing for it—helps ensure a safe, stress-free journey across the continent.
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.
Why does England drive on the left and America on the right?
England (and the UK) drives on the left due to a long-standing tradition rooted in the need for right-handed riders and drivers to keep their sword or whip hands free for defense and control, which also made it safer to mount horses from the left. The United States adopted driving on the right because its dominant 18th-century transport involved large, heavy wagons and teams of horses, where the driver would sit on the left horse to control the team and avoid collisions, leading to a tradition of right-hand driving that predated Britain’s formal left-hand law.
Driving on the Left (England/UK)
- Pre-Automotive Era: Historically, most people are right-handed. For riders and knights, keeping to the left side of the road allowed their right hand, their dominant and sword hand, to be free to defend against potential attackers.
- Mounting/Dismounting: It was safer to mount and dismount a horse from the left side of the road, which was the left-hand traffic side, rather than the middle of the road.
- Official Adoption: Britain formalized this practice, making left-hand traffic the law in the 18th century, which was later reinforced by the Highway Act of 1835.
Driving on the Right (United States)
- Post-Colonial Transition: After gaining independence, the US had a growing opposition to Old World customs and the British system of left-hand traffic.
- Wagon and Horse Teams: The dominant form of long-distance transport in the US involved large, multi-horse wagons. Drivers would sit on the left-hand horse, often the rearmost of a team, to keep their right whip hand free to control the animals.
- Safety and Practicality: Driving on the right allowed drivers to better judge the clearance between passing wagons, as they were seated to the left of the team, near the center of the road.
- Dominant Practice: This practical shift in the US, driven by large freight wagons, established a tradition of right-hand driving that was distinct from Britain’s.
Is Germany left or right-hand drive?
Germany is a right-hand drive (RHD) country, meaning drivers sit on the left side of the vehicle and drive on the right-hand side of the road, a standard practice in continental Europe. This system is the complement to the left-hand side of the road, where vehicles are typically built with the driver on the right.
Key aspects of driving in Germany:
- Right-hand driving: You will drive on the right side of the road.
- Left-hand steering: Cars are manufactured with the steering wheel on the left.
- Overtaking: Drivers overtake other vehicles on the left.
- European standard: Germany follows the common practice for most of continental Europe.
Do the French drive on the right side?
What side of the road do they drive on in France? In France, you drive on the right side of the road. The right-hand lane is the slow lane, while the left lane is for overtaking.
