How many countries still drive on the left side of the road?

Fifty-four sovereign countries drive on the left; if you include dependent territories and special administrative regions, the total rises to roughly 75 jurisdictions. These are concentrated in South and Southeast Asia, Oceania, southern and eastern Africa, and the British Isles, covering about 28% of the world’s population.

What counts as a “country,” and why totals differ

Counts vary because some lists include territories and dependencies (for example, Bermuda or Hong Kong) alongside sovereign states. Using only widely recognized sovereign countries yields 54 left-driving nations. When territories and special regions are added, most transport references cite “about 75” left-driving jurisdictions worldwide.

Where left-hand driving is used

Left-hand traffic (LHT) is a legacy of historical norms and colonial influence, especially from Britain, and remains standard in many parts of Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Below is a region-by-region look at the sovereign countries that still drive on the left.

Sovereign countries that drive on the left (by region)

The following list groups UN-recognized sovereign states by world region. It excludes dependent territories and special administrative regions, which are covered separately below.

• Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus
• Asia: Japan; India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives; Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Timor-Leste
• Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru
• Americas/Caribbean: Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada

Together, these 54 countries represent the globally recognized set of left-driving sovereign states. While not contiguous, they form clear regional clusters, especially in South Asia, Southeast Asia, southern Africa, and the former British sphere in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Notable left-driving territories and regions (not sovereign states)

Several territories and special regions also drive on the left. These are often included in broader counts of left-driving jurisdictions because they maintain their own road rules, despite not being independent countries.

• China (Special Administrative Regions): Hong Kong, Macau
• United Kingdom (Overseas Territories/Crown Dependencies): Bermuda; Cayman Islands; British Virgin Islands; Anguilla; Montserrat; Turks and Caicos; Falkland Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Isle of Man; Jersey; Guernsey
• New Zealand realm: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
• United States territory: U.S. Virgin Islands

This is not a complete list, but these examples illustrate why the broader “countries and territories” figure commonly cited is about 75 left-driving jurisdictions worldwide.

Why do some countries drive on the left?

Left-hand driving dates to pre-motor eras when keeping to the left offered practical and safety advantages for right-handed travelers. The pattern persisted through the rise of motoring, especially in territories influenced by Britain. Japan is a notable non-British case: its railways adopted left running in the 19th century, and roads followed suit nationwide. Today, LHT remains entrenched due to vehicle fleets (right-hand-drive cars), road design, and cross-border consistency with neighbors.

Recent changes and outlook

Switches are rare. Sweden famously moved from left to right in 1967; Samoa moved from right to left in 2009 to align with nearby left-driving countries and car import markets. Most left-driving nations have little incentive to change, given costs and regional harmonization. As a result, the global mix has been stable in recent years.

Summary

There are 54 sovereign countries that still drive on the left, and roughly 75 left-driving jurisdictions when territories and special regions are included. These are predominantly in South/Southeast Asia, Oceania, southern and eastern Africa, and the British Isles. The distribution reflects historical roots and practical regional alignment, and it is unlikely to change significantly in the near term.

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.

How many countries in the world drive on the left side?

All in all, 174 countries and territories have right-hand drive traffic while vehicles use the left side in 78 countries. Most countries that drive on the left are former British colonies including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Only four European nations still drive on the left, all of which are islands.

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.

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.