Is China a left-hand drive country?

Yes. Mainland China uses left-hand-drive vehicles and drives on the right side of the road. There are notable exceptions: Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left and use right-hand-drive vehicles, while Taiwan, like the mainland, drives on the right with left-hand-drive cars. Understanding these regional differences is essential for travelers, car buyers, and cross-border motorists.

How driving orientation works across Greater China

“Left-hand drive” refers to vehicles with the steering wheel on the left, typically used in countries where traffic keeps to the right. In China, driving practice reflects historical and administrative differences across regions, with mainland rules distinct from those in the Special Administrative Regions.

The following list outlines driving sides and vehicle configurations by region to clarify where each system applies.

• Mainland China: Drives on the right; vehicles are left-hand drive. This includes all provinces and municipalities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hainan.
• Hong Kong: Drives on the left; vehicles are right-hand drive, following British-influenced rules.
• Macau: Drives on the left; vehicles are right-hand drive, similar to Hong Kong.
• Taiwan: Drives on the right; vehicles are left-hand drive.

In most international contexts, “China” refers to the mainland, where left-hand-drive vehicles are the norm. However, the different systems in Hong Kong and Macau are longstanding and remain in effect, especially relevant for cross-border travel.

Legal and practical notes for motorists

Vehicle compliance and cross-border driving

Regulations and infrastructure accommodate the co-existence of different driving orientations in adjacent regions, particularly at major border crossings.

The points below summarize key rules and realities that drivers should know when navigating between these systems.

• Mainland registration: Private right-hand-drive vehicles generally cannot be registered for regular use on mainland roads; standard vehicles are left-hand drive.
• Special permits: Right-hand-drive vehicles from Hong Kong and Macau may enter designated areas of the mainland under specific quota/permit schemes; usage is limited to approved routes and regions.
• Border infrastructure: Crossings such as the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge include engineered “crossover” sections to switch traffic from left-side to right-side driving safely.
• Road conventions: Mainland and Taiwan use metric signage and right-side traffic norms; Hong Kong and Macau follow left-side traffic conventions with their own signage standards.

Taken together, these practices allow safe transitions between left- and right-driving systems while maintaining consistent enforcement within each jurisdiction.

Summary

Mainland China is a left-hand-drive country with right-side traffic, aligned with most of continental Europe and North America. Hong Kong and Macau are exceptions, driving on the left with right-hand-drive vehicles. Taiwan follows the mainland pattern. Travelers and motorists should plan for these differences, especially when crossing borders where permits, designated routes, and traffic-side changeovers apply.

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. 

Which country drives on the left?

These include India, Australia, New Zealand and former British colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Very few countries drive on the left in Europe like we do in the UK. The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive on the left.

Does China have left-hand drive cars?

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. 

Is China left or right hand drive?

In mainland China, traffic drives on the right side of the road. This is a common practice, with most European countries and the United States also driving on the right. In contrast, China’s former British colonies and territories, such as Hong Kong and Macau, continue to drive on the left.
 
Details

• Mainland China: Drives on the right side of the road. 
• Hong Kong and Macau: These Special Administrative Regions drive on the left, a legacy from their history as British and Portuguese territories, respectively. 
• Car Design: In regions where traffic drives on the right, cars are typically designed with the steering wheel on the left.