Which Side Is the Drive Side: Left or Right?

For bicycles, the drive side is the right side (the side with the chain, chainrings, cassette, and rear derailleur). In other machines, the term can vary: on motorcycles and scooters it depends on the model’s final-drive layout, and in cars “driver’s side” refers to where the steering wheel is, which differs by country.

What “drive side” means

“Drive side” typically describes the side of a machine that transmits power to the wheel or mechanism—for example, the side with the chain and gears on a bicycle. This is different from “driver’s side” in vehicles, which refers to the side where the driver sits and can be left or right depending on local road rules.

By context

Bicycles

On virtually all road, mountain, gravel, and track bicycles, the drive side is the right side. That’s where you’ll find the drivetrain components that move the bike forward. Some BMX setups offer left-hand drive (LHD) options, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

The list below highlights common components found on a bicycle’s drive side.

• Front chainrings and crank spider
• Chain
• Rear cassette or freewheel
• Rear derailleur (on geared bikes)

Together, these parts define the right-hand side as the functional drive side on nearly all bicycles, with a few niche exceptions such as certain BMX LHD configurations.

Motorcycles and scooters

On motorcycles and scooters, “drive side” refers to the side with the final drive (chain, belt, or shaft). This can be on the left or right and varies by manufacturer and model, so there is no single standard across the industry.

The points below summarize how motorcycle final drives are typically arranged.

• Chain or belt drives may be placed on either the left or right, depending on the design.
• Shaft drives are mounted to one side of the rear hub and can be left or right, based on the manufacturer’s layout.
• Model generations and aftermarket conversions can change which side is the drive side; consult the owner’s or service manual if unsure.

Because layouts differ widely across makes and years, the most reliable approach is to identify the side that carries the sprocket, pulley, or shaft housing on your specific motorcycle.

Cars and trucks (driver’s side)

If you meant the driver’s side of a vehicle rather than the mechanical drive side, the answer depends on where the vehicle is intended to be driven. The steering wheel is on the left in left-hand-drive (LHD) markets and on the right in right-hand-drive (RHD) markets.

• Left-hand-drive markets (driver sits on the left): United States, Canada, most of continental Europe, mainland China, most of Latin America, and much of the Middle East.
• Right-hand-drive markets (driver sits on the right): United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and several countries in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa.

These examples cover most regions but are not exhaustive; always confirm based on the vehicle’s steering wheel position or market specification.

How to confirm on your equipment

Use the quick checks below to identify the drive or driver’s side with confidence.

1. Bicycle: Stand behind the bike; the side with the chain, cassette, and rear derailleur is the drive side (nearly always the right).
2. Motorcycle/scooter: Look at the rear wheel; the side with the chain, belt, or shaft housing is the drive side.
3. Car/truck: The driver’s side is the side with the steering wheel—left in LHD markets, right in RHD markets.

These steps let you verify the correct side without needing model-specific technical details.

Bottom line

For bicycles, the drive side is the right side. For motorcycles and other machines, it’s whichever side carries the final-drive components. For passenger vehicles, “driver’s side” depends on the market: left in LHD countries and right in RHD countries.

Summary

The drive side is the right side on almost all bicycles. In motorcycles and scooters, the drive side varies by design and should be identified by locating the chain, belt, or shaft. In cars and trucks, if you meant the driver’s side, it depends on whether the vehicle is built for left-hand drive (left) or right-hand drive (right) markets.

How to determine left or right side of vehicle?

To determine the left or right side of a vehicle, sit in the driver’s seat facing forward; the side to your left is the left side of the car (the driver’s side), and the side to your right is the right side of the car (the passenger’s side). This convention is a standard in the automotive industry and is consistent regardless of where the steering wheel is located, though some resources recommend specifying “driver’s side” or “passenger’s side” for clarity, especially when ordering parts.
 
This video explains how to determine the left and right sides of a vehicle from the driver’s perspective: 59sHomeowner RepairYouTube · Aug 26, 2018
Here’s how to confirm the sides:

1. Sit in the driver’s seat: Get into the vehicle and position yourself in the normal driving position, facing the front. 
2. Identify your left: Look to your left. This is the left side of the car. 
3. Identify your right: Look to your right. This is the right side of the car. 

Key points to remember:

• Driver vs. Passenger: The left side of the vehicle is always the driver’s side, and the right side is always the passenger’s side. 
• Automotive industry standard: This driver-centric perspective is the global standard for defining left and right in the automotive industry. 
• Be clear when ordering parts: To avoid confusion, use the terms “driver’s side” and “passenger’s side,” or add the side designation (e.g., “right passenger side”) when ordering parts. 

Is the US driving right or left?

Right Side
The Federal Highway Administration has often been asked about the American practice of driving on the right, instead of the left, as in Great Britain, our “Mother Country.” Albert C.

How to determine left or right hand drive?

Steering wheel position. In RHT jurisdictions, vehicles are typically configured as left-hand drive (LHD), with the steering wheel on the left side of the passenger compartment. In LHT jurisdictions, the reverse is true as the right-hand drive (RHD) configuration.

Is the driver’s side considered left or right?

The driver’s side is the left side of a vehicle in countries that drive on the right side of the road, such as the United States, and the right side in countries that drive on the left, such as the United Kingdom. The orientation is always determined from the perspective of the person sitting in the driver’s seat, facing forward.
 
Key points:

• Driver’s Perspective: Left and right sides of a car are defined as if you were sitting in the driver’s seat, looking forward. 
• Global Variation: Since some countries drive on the left side of the road and others on the right, the location of the driver’s side changes depending on the country. 
• Left-hand drive (LHD) vs. Right-hand drive (RHD):
  • In LHD countries (like the US), the steering wheel is on the left, making the driver’s side the left side of the car. 
  • In RHD countries (like the UK), the steering wheel is on the right, making the driver’s side the right side of the car. 
• Application to Parts: When ordering car parts, it’s crucial to specify “left” or “right” based on this driver’s perspective to avoid errors. For example, “left fender” refers to the fender on the driver’s side.