Is the UK a left- or right-hand drive?

The United Kingdom drives on the left side of the road, and most vehicles are right-hand drive (steering wheel on the right). In everyday terms, that means traffic keeps left, drivers sit on the right, and overtaking is typically done on the right.

What the terms actually mean

People often mix up the side of the road with the side of the car where the steering wheel sits. “Left-hand traffic” (LHT) means vehicles travel on the left side of the road. In LHT countries like the UK, cars are usually “right-hand drive” (RHD), placing the driver closest to the road center for better visibility of oncoming traffic and overtaking.

How driving works in the UK

Day-to-day rules and road behavior reflect the UK’s left-side driving pattern and right-hand-drive vehicles. The following points summarize what motorists can expect on UK roads:

• Keep left unless overtaking; pass other vehicles on the right.
• Roundabouts run clockwise; give priority to traffic approaching from your right.
• On multi-lane roads, use the leftmost lane when you’re not overtaking; move back left after passing.
• Undertaking (passing on the left) is generally discouraged, but permitted when traffic is moving in lanes at similar speeds (e.g., congestion).
• Pedestrians are advised to look right first when crossing, reflecting traffic flow.
• Speed limits are posted in miles per hour (mph); common limits include 30 mph in built-up areas, 60 mph on single carriageways, and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways unless signed otherwise.
• Road signs and markings align with left-side travel, including “Keep Left” instructions at traffic islands and lane arrows.

Together, these conventions make the system consistent: sit on the right, keep left, and overtake to the right, with clockwise roundabouts and signage tailored to left-side traffic.

Are left-hand-drive cars allowed in the UK?

Yes. Left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles can be legally driven and registered in the UK, though they’re less common and may require adjustments and care, especially for visibility when overtaking and at tolls or drive-throughs. If importing or using an LHD vehicle, consider the following:

• Headlights: Adjust or fit beam deflectors so headlamps don’t dazzle oncoming traffic.
• Speedometer: Must display mph (at least as a secondary reading) for road legality and safety.
• Insurance and registration: Ensure UK-compliant insurance and complete DVLA registration if staying long-term; visiting vehicles have time-limited allowances.
• Driving ergonomics: Overtaking sightlines and navigating right-hand exits or roundabouts can feel less natural from the left seat in a left-side-traffic system.

While fully legal, LHD cars in the UK demand extra attention and sometimes minor modifications, making RHD vehicles the practical norm.

Where else drives on the left?

The UK is part of a global minority that keeps to the left, a pattern shared with several countries and territories. Notable examples include:

• Ireland
• Australia and New Zealand
• Japan
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• South Africa and many neighboring countries in southern Africa
• Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia
• Cyprus, Malta
• Various Caribbean nations (e.g., Jamaica, Barbados) and some Pacific islands

These countries use right-hand-drive vehicles and traffic systems designed around left-side road travel, similar to the UK.

Historical background

Left-side travel in Britain traces back to horseback and carriage days, when keeping left helped sword-carrying riders pass safely. The practice was standardized by the Highway Act 1835, which formalized keeping left in Britain and influenced many parts of the former British Empire. Most of continental Europe shifted to right-side driving over time, leaving the UK and certain other regions as consistent left-side holdouts.

Summary

The UK is a left-side driving country where vehicles are typically right-hand drive. Drivers keep left, overtake on the right, and navigate clockwise roundabouts with priority to the right. Left-hand-drive cars are legal but less practical. The system aligns with several other nations that also drive on the left, reflecting historical roots and modern safety conventions.