How many countries drive on the left-hand side?

Approximately 76 countries and territories drive on the left-hand side of the road—covering about 35% of the world’s population. This figure includes both sovereign states and dependent territories; the exact count can vary slightly depending on how territories and special jurisdictions are classified.

What the number includes

The commonly cited total (around 76) reflects a mix of sovereign countries and territories where left-hand traffic (LHT) is legally mandated. Most LHT jurisdictions are former parts of the British Empire, with notable non-British exceptions such as Japan and Indonesia. Since Samoa’s 2009 switch from right to left, there have been no major national shifts, though a few border regions and territories operate differently from their neighbors.

Where left-hand driving is common

Left-hand traffic is concentrated in specific regions and clusters. The following overview highlights where LHT is prevalent and gives representative examples rather than an exhaustive list.

• Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta (plus Crown Dependencies like the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).
• South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan.
• Southeast/East Asia: Japan; Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei; Timor-Leste; Hong Kong and Macau (territories).
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands (and several other Pacific microstates).
• Africa: Southern and East Africa dominate—South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda; plus island nations Mauritius and Seychelles.
• Caribbean and the Americas: Many English-speaking Caribbean states and territories (e.g., Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, BVI); Guyana and Suriname in mainland South America; Bermuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the North Atlantic/Caribbean.

Together, these regions account for nearly all left-driving jurisdictions worldwide, anchored by historical ties, regional alignment, and established vehicle markets.

Notable exceptions and border quirks

While the left/right divide is usually regional, there are prominent exceptions and transitions that illustrate how history and geography shape traffic rules.

• China vs. Hong Kong/Macau: Mainland China drives on the right, but Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left, requiring engineered crossovers on major links.
• Gibraltar: Despite being a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar drives on the right to align with Spain.
• Samoa and American Samoa: Samoa switched from right to left in 2009; neighboring American Samoa remains right-hand traffic.
• Myanmar: Switched from left to right in 1970, an outlier in mainland Southeast Asia.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Drive on the left, unusual within U.S.-linked jurisdictions where right-hand traffic predominates.
• South America: Only Guyana and Suriname drive on the left, surrounded by right-driving neighbors.

These anomalies typically reflect colonial legacies, cross-border trade pressures, or policy decisions aimed at harmonizing with larger neighbors.

Why some places drive on the left

The persistence of left-hand traffic is rooted in history and practicality. The following factors have kept many jurisdictions on the left.

1. Historical legacy: British imperial standards spread LHT across parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean; Japan standardized LHT early, influenced by rail practices and domestic custom.
2. Regional alignment: Neighbors often align to ease cross-border travel and logistics.
3. Vehicle markets: Established fleets and supply chains for right-hand-drive vehicles make switching costly and disruptive.
4. Safety and infrastructure: Road design, driver training, and signage are optimized for one side; wholesale change involves complex, risky transitions.

These considerations mean widespread shifts are unlikely unless compelling economic or political incentives arise.

How the count can vary

Tallies differ slightly among sources due to methodology. Variations typically arise from how territories, dependencies, and special administrative regions are treated, as well as whether partially recognized states or micro-jurisdictions are included.

Summary

About 76 countries and territories—encompassing roughly a third of the global population—drive on the left-hand side of the road. Concentrated in parts of Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Caribbean, LHT persists due to historical legacy, regional coordination, and entrenched vehicle markets, with only occasional exceptions and few modern-day switches.

Why does Japan drive on the left?

Japan drives on the left due to its history with samurai, who kept their swords on their left hip, necessitating left-side passage to avoid collisions. This tradition was reinforced when British companies helped build Japan’s first railways in the 1870s, adopting British left-hand track practice, a system eventually codified into law for all vehicles by 1924.
 
Historical Roots

• Samurai Culture: Opens in new tabIn feudal Japan, most samurai were right-handed and carried their swords on their left hip. Walking on the left allowed them to pass others without their scabbards clashing, which was a serious provocation. 
• Public Adoption: Opens in new tabThis custom of left-side passage became a norm in society, and people would get out of a samurai’s way to avoid conflict. 

Influence of Railways 

• British Technical Aid: Opens in new tabWhen Japan began modernizing in the late 19th century, British engineers were instrumental in constructing the nation’s first railway system.
• Left-Side Trains: Opens in new tabThese railways adopted the British practice of left-hand traffic for trains and, later, electric trolleys.

Formalization into Law 

• Codification: The tradition of left-side driving, rooted in samurai custom and reinforced by the railway system, was officially codified into national law in 1924.

In summary, Japan’s driving on the left is a direct result of pre-modern samurai customs and the early adoption of British railway practices, which were later formalized into nationwide traffic law.

Why does the UK drive on the left?

The UK drives on the left due to its origins in the Middle Ages as a safety measure, allowing right-handed individuals to keep their sword arm free when passing oncoming strangers, a practice later formalized in law. As Napoleon spread right-hand traffic across continental Europe, Britain and its former colonies retained the left-hand custom, which became entrenched with the rise of automobiles. 
Historical Origins

• Medieval Safety: The tradition dates back to the era of horses and carriages. Most people were right-handed, so keeping to the left ensured their right arm was free for defense with a sword against potential attackers. 
• Wagon Drivers: In the 18th century, large wagons required the driver to sit to the right of the carriage to keep the whip-hand free. This kept them on the left side of the road, as they would whip the horses to the left to stay in line. 

Formalization and Influence

• Early Laws: In 1773, the General Highways Act in Britain mandated keeping to the left to prevent collisions on congested roads. The Highway Act of 1835 further solidified this into law, making left-hand driving the standard. 
• Napoleon and Continental Europe: The French Revolution and subsequent conquests by Napoleon led to right-hand traffic becoming the norm on the European continent. 
• British Empire: As a powerful colonial nation, Britain exported its traffic laws, leading many of its colonies to adopt left-hand driving. 
• Modern Convention: By the time motor vehicles became common, the convention was already well-established and deeply ingrained in British culture and law, making it easier to maintain than to change. 

Global Context 

• While most countries drive on the right, about 35% of the world’s population still uses left-hand traffic, including the UK, Ireland, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

Do any US territories drive on the left?

Other countries in the Americas
In the West Indies, colonies and territories drive on the same side as their parent countries, except for the United States Virgin Islands.

What country switched from left to right driving?

Sweden
‘the right-hand traffic reorganisation’), was on 3 September 1967, the day on which Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. The “H” stands for “Högertrafik”, the Swedish word for right-hand traffic. It was by far the largest logistical event in Sweden’s history.