Which side of the road does China drive on?

Mainland China drives on the right, while Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left; Taiwan also drives on the right. In other words, China as a whole does not use left-hand traffic, except in the two Special Administrative Regions where British and Portuguese-era rules persist under local law. This split can be confusing to travelers, especially around busy border crossings connected by major bridges and expressways.

The rule today on the Chinese mainland

Across the People’s Republic of China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions), traffic keeps to the right and vehicles are typically left-hand drive. This applies nationwide—from Beijing and Shanghai to Hainan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and other provinces—and is stipulated in national road traffic regulations.

Taiwan, which maintains its own road laws and systems, also uses right-hand traffic with left-hand-drive vehicles.

Exceptions: Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong and Macau retain left-hand traffic with right-hand-drive vehicles, reflecting their British and Portuguese colonial legacies. Under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, both SARs maintain their own road laws, licensing regimes, signage standards, and driving side, independent of mainland rules.

At-a-glance: driving side by region

The following quick reference helps clarify where motorists keep left or right across Chinese jurisdictions.

• Mainland China (PRC, excluding SARs): Drive on the right; left-hand-drive vehicles.
• Hong Kong SAR: Drive on the left; right-hand-drive vehicles.
• Macau SAR: Drive on the left; right-hand-drive vehicles.
• Taiwan: Drive on the right; left-hand-drive vehicles.

Taken together, most Chinese jurisdictions drive on the right, with Hong Kong and Macau as notable left-driving exceptions.

How the switch is handled at borders and bridges

Where left-driving and right-driving systems meet, purpose-built interchanges and control points safely transition traffic from one side to the other. These engineering solutions are designed to be intuitive and heavily signposted for drivers crossing between jurisdictions.

1. Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB): Dedicated boundary crossing facilities and connector roads handle the left–right change when entering or leaving Hong Kong, Macau, or Zhuhai (mainland).
2. Shenzhen Bay Port: A cross-border corridor links Hong Kong with Shenzhen, with side-switching arrangements near control points.
3. Land crossings such as Lok Ma Chau–Huanggang and Man Kam To: Grade-separated crossovers and lane markings guide drivers through the transition.

These systems ensure that drivers remain on the correct side immediately after immigration and customs procedures, minimizing confusion and collision risk.

Why the split exists

Mainland China standardized on right-hand traffic in the mid-20th century, aligning with most of continental Asia and the Americas. Hong Kong and Macau, by contrast, retained left-hand traffic under British and Portuguese administration, and both preserved those rules after the 1997 and 1999 handovers, respectively, as part of their autonomy over local transport law. Taiwan, governed separately, also follows right-hand traffic.

What travelers should know

If you plan to drive across or within these regions, keep the following practical points in mind.

• Steering wheel position: Mainland and Taiwan use left-hand-drive cars; Hong Kong and Macau use right-hand-drive cars.
• Rental cars generally cannot be taken across borders: Cross-jurisdiction rental is typically restricted; separate rentals are common on each side.
• Licensing and permits differ: Mainland China requires local licensing or a temporary driving permit for foreigners; Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan have their own recognition rules. Check requirements well in advance.
• Expect side-switch facilities at borders: Follow lane markings, arrows, and signage; speeds are reduced and lanes are channeled to manage the switch safely.
• Navigation apps reflect local norms: Maps and guidance will align with the jurisdiction’s driving side once you cross a control point.

Advance planning—especially around licensing and vehicle access—will make cross-border trips smoother and help you adjust to the correct driving side without stress.

Summary

Mainland China and Taiwan drive on the right; Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left. The SARs’ left-driving systems are maintained under local law, and purpose-built crossovers at borders handle the side change. For visitors, the key is knowing which jurisdiction you’re in and preparing for different licensing and vehicle arrangements when crossing between them.

Is China left or right hand traffic?

Laws. In mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Various neighbours such as Hong Kong, Macau, India, Nepal and Pakistan drive on the left.

Which country doesn’t have left-hand traffic?

Canada, Myanmar, Gibraltar, British Indian Ocean Territory, Belize, and a few countries in West Africa like Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia all switched to driving on the right hand side of the road.

What side is the steering wheel on in China?

In Mainland China, the steering wheel is on the left side of the car because the country drives on the right-hand side of the road. This is similar to the driving standards in countries like the United States and continental Europe, where left-hand steering is standard. 
Key Points

• Left-Hand Drive: The steering wheel is positioned on the left side of the vehicle. 
• Right-Hand Traffic: Drivers keep to the right side of the road, which allows for better visibility of oncoming traffic from the left-hand driver’s seat. 
• Contrast with Hong Kong: Hong Kong, a former British colony, drives on the left and therefore has right-hand drive vehicles, similar to the UK and Japan. 

Are cars in China left-hand drive?

No, in mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road, not the left. However, the former British colony of Hong Kong, and the former Portuguese colony of Macau, still drive on the left due to their distinct historical and legal frameworks.
 
Driving side in China

• Mainland China: Drives on the right-hand side of the road. 
• Special Administrative Regions: Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left. 

Why the difference?

• Hong Kong . Opens in new tabretained its left-hand traffic system from its time as a British colony, and its traffic rules are protected by a “Basic Law” ensuring its way of life remains unchanged until 2047. 
• Macau . Opens in new tabalso maintained left-hand traffic as a former Portuguese colony. 

Historical Context

• China officially changed to right-hand traffic in 1946. 
• Before the 1946 decision, different regions in China had varying driving rules, with some areas like the Shanghai International Settlement and Japanese-occupied northeast China using left-hand traffic.