Is the UK 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 practice, that means you keep left, overtake on the right, and sit on the right side of the car to drive.

Clarifying the terms

“Left-hand traffic” describes the side of the road vehicles use. In the UK, traffic keeps to the left. “Left-hand drive” and “right-hand drive” describe the position of the steering wheel inside the vehicle. UK vehicles are predominantly right-hand drive so the driver sits closest to the center of the road, improving visibility when overtaking and at junctions.

Where this applies in the UK

The rule to drive on the left applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It has not changed in recent years, including after Brexit. Although not part of the UK, nearby Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey) also drive on the left, which is useful to know for travelers in the region.

Practical implications for drivers

If you’re driving in the UK, the following points outline how left-side driving and right-hand-drive vehicles shape everyday motoring.

• Road position: Keep left except when overtaking; return to the left lane after passing.
• Overtaking: Pass on the right; undertaking (passing on the left) on motorways is generally prohibited.
• Roundabouts: Traffic circulates clockwise; give way to traffic from your right when entering.
• Speed and distance: Road signs use miles per hour (mph) and miles/yards.
• Vehicle layout: Driver sits on the right; gear lever is to the left of the driver; pedals are in the same order (accelerator, brake, clutch).
• Pedestrians and cyclists: At crossings, first look right, then left, then right again.
• Headlights: Right-hand-drive headlamps dip left; if you take a UK car to continental Europe, use beam deflectors to avoid dazzling.

Taken together, these conventions standardize how traffic flows, how signs are read, and how vehicles are configured, reducing confusion and improving safety for residents and visitors alike.

Tips for visitors bringing a left-hand-drive car

Driving a left-hand-drive (LHD) car in a left-driving country is legal in the UK, but it requires extra care. These tips can help you adapt safely.

• Visibility: Overtaking sightlines are reduced; be conservative when passing on single-carriageway roads.
• Positioning: Use lane markings to maintain a steady left-lane position; adjust mirrors for a wider view of the right-hand side.
• Tolls and car parks: Ticket machines and barriers are often on the right side of the vehicle; keep a passenger or a long reach in mind.
• Lighting: Fit temporary headlamp beam deflectors to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic if your lights are set for right-side driving.
• Transmission: Renting an automatic can reduce the learning curve if you’re used to LHD manuals.
• Insurance and compliance: Ensure your policy covers UK driving; carry proof of insurance and vehicle documents.

With some preparation and patience, most drivers adjust quickly to UK conditions, especially on motorways and dual carriageways where lane discipline is clear.

Imported vehicles and legal requirements

Left-hand-drive vehicles are permitted in the UK. To register or use them long-term, they must meet UK standards, including a speedometer that can indicate mph (either mph-only or dual mph/km/h), correct headlamp aim for left-side driving, and satisfactory roadworthiness (MOT) once the vehicle is of testing age. Short-term visitors can generally rely on their home registration and insurance, but should still adjust headlights and follow UK traffic rules.

Summary

The UK drives on the left, with right-hand-drive vehicles the norm. Visitors may bring or rent cars configured differently, but should account for overtaking visibility, signage in mph, clockwise roundabouts, and left-lane discipline to drive safely and legally.

Is the USA left or right-hand drive?

The USA is a right-hand drive country, meaning traffic moves on the right side of the road, and the steering wheel is located on the left side of vehicles. This custom was established through the practice of horse-drawn wagon drivers riding the left rear horse to better observe the ditch on the road’s right side.
 
Why the USA drives on the right

• Historical Practice: Right-hand travel was predominant in colonial America, with evidence suggesting it was established by the time of early settlements. 
• Vehicle Design: Early horse-drawn wagons required drivers to control horses from the left rear wheel, making it easier to see the right side of the road. 
• Safety: This position allowed drivers to better monitor the space along the road’s edge and handle the whip to guide the horses. 

Left-Hand Drive vs. Right-Hand Drive

• Right-Hand Traffic: In right-hand traffic countries, the steering wheel is on the left side of the car. 
• Left-Hand Traffic: In left-hand traffic countries, the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. 
• Global Practice: While the USA drives on the right, about 75% of the world drives on the right, with most of the remaining 25% driving on the left. 

What side is the steering wheel on in the UK?

In LHT, traffic keeps left and cars usually have the steering wheel on the right (RHD: right-hand drive) and roundabouts circulate clockwise. RHT is the opposite: traffic keeps right, the driver usually sits on the left side of the car (LHD: left-hand drive), and roundabouts circulate counterclockwise.

Is the UK a left-hand drive?

No, the United Kingdom does not use left-hand drive vehicles; instead, the UK uses right-hand drive cars for left-hand traffic (LHT). This means drivers sit on the right side of the car and drive on the left side of the road, a tradition dating back to Roman times and continued through the British Empire.
 
Key Points

• Traffic Side: In the UK, traffic drives on the left side of the road. 
• Vehicle Configuration: Cars in the UK are “right-hand drive” (RHD), meaning the steering wheel is positioned on the right side of the vehicle. 
• Historical Roots: The practice of driving on the left has ancient origins, with theories suggesting it allowed right-handed people to keep their dominant sword or whip hand free. 
• Global Context: The UK is one of approximately 30% of countries worldwide that drive on the left. Most of the world, including the United States and much of Europe, uses right-hand traffic (RHT) with left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles. 
• Official Status: Driving on the left was made mandatory in Great Britain in 1835 and remains enshrined in the Highway Code. 

Why are UK cars right-hand drive?

UK cars are right-hand drive because people in the UK drive on the left side of the road, a practice that originated from ancient times and allowed right-handed individuals to keep their sword arm free for defense when passing on horseback. When the UK introduced traffic laws in the 19th century to formalize this practice, the positioning of right-hand drive vehicles became the standard for optimal visibility of oncoming traffic and the road edge. 
Historical Roots

• Sword-Fighting Tradition: Opens in new tabThe practice of left-hand traffic likely dates back to the Middle Ages when most people were right-handed. Riders on horseback would stay to the left to keep their sword arm free for combat and to prevent their scabbards from hitting others. 
• Mounting Horses: Opens in new tabIt was also easier to mount a horse from the left side, and driving on the left allowed for this action without stepping into the path of traffic. 

Formalization and Standardization

• 1300 AD and Napoleon: Pope Boniface VIII is said to have declared that pilgrims traveling to Rome should keep to the left. However, in continental Europe, Napoleon later mandated right-hand traffic, which influenced many countries. 
• UK Laws: In Britain, this tradition was formalized through legislation, including the Highway Act of 1835, which made left-hand driving mandatory. 
• The British Empire: The UK’s system was adopted by many of its former colonies, which is why countries like Australia, New Zealand, and India also drive on the left. 

Vehicle Design for Left-Hand Driving 

• Visibility: When driving on the left side of the road, placing the driver’s seat on the right side of the car provides the best visibility of oncoming traffic and the edge of the road. This ensures the driver can clearly see other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Modern Cars: Therefore, the right-hand drive position is a direct adaptation of historical driving practices to the modern car, ensuring the safety and convenience of drivers in left-hand traffic countries.