Which side of the road does the UK drive on?

The United Kingdom has left-hand traffic: drivers keep to the left side of the road and generally overtake on the right. This applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the road network, signage, and vehicle layout (right-hand-drive) are built around this convention.

What left-hand traffic means in practice

Left-hand traffic affects everything from how you position your vehicle to how you navigate roundabouts and how pedestrians check for oncoming cars. The points below summarize the main practical implications for road users.

• Keep left except when overtaking; pass on the right on multi-lane roads.
• Roundabouts run clockwise; give way to traffic approaching from the right.
• Most vehicles are right-hand-drive, with the steering wheel on the right side.
• Pedestrians should look right first when stepping into the roadway.
• Bus stops, road markings, and junction designs assume left-side running.

Together, these norms create consistent expectations for drivers and pedestrians, enhancing safety and traffic flow throughout the UK.

Where this rule applies

While “the UK” specifically refers to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, closely linked jurisdictions largely follow the same convention. The notes below clarify the scope and notable exceptions.

• United Kingdom: All four nations drive on the left.
• Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man also keep left.
• British Overseas Territories: Most use left-hand traffic; Gibraltar is a notable exception and drives on the right, aligned with neighboring Spain.

If you plan to travel beyond the UK itself, confirm local rules in the territory you are visiting, as practices can differ.

Why the UK drives on the left

Britain’s left-hand traffic predates motor vehicles and was later embedded in national law and infrastructure. The milestones below outline how the system took shape.

• Pre-industrial custom: Travelers kept left so right-handed people could face oncoming strangers with their sword arm free.
• 18th century: Early urban rules, such as on London Bridge, encouraged keeping left to reduce congestion.
• Highway Act 1835: Codified a keep-left rule for horse-drawn traffic across Britain.
• Motor era: Cars inherited the existing convention; international norms permit both systems, so the UK maintained left-side driving.

These historical choices are deeply embedded in the road network, making any reversal costly and disruptive, and thus unlikely.

Key details and tips for visitors

If you’re new to UK roads, a few core rules and habits will help you adapt quickly and safely. The list below highlights the essentials most drivers and pedestrians need to know.

• Speed limits are posted in miles per hour (mph); distances are in miles and yards.
• Typical car limits (unless signed otherwise): 30 mph in built-up areas, 60 mph on single-carriageway roads, and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
• At roundabouts, approach in the left lane unless signs/markings direct otherwise, yield to the right, and circulate clockwise.
• Keep-left discipline on multi-lane roads: move back to the left after overtaking.
• Seatbelts are mandatory; handheld phone use while driving is illegal.
• If you’re driving a left-hand-drive vehicle, take extra care when judging overtakes and positioning at junctions.

Following these basics, along with local signs and lane markings, will make driving or walking in the UK more intuitive and safe.

Cycling and walking basics

People on foot and on bikes share the same left-hand traffic environment, with a few simple habits helping everyone interact safely. The points below outline standard expectations.

• Cyclists ride on the left and should use cycle lanes where provided.
• Use lights and reflectors after dark; helmets are advised though not compulsory.
• Pedestrians should look right first, then left, before crossing; use zebra and signal-controlled crossings where possible.

Predictable positioning and clear communication—hand signals for cyclists, eye contact at crossings—make mixed-traffic areas safer for all users.

Summary

The UK drives on the left, with right-hand-drive vehicles, clockwise roundabouts, and speed limits in miles per hour. This applies throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and in nearby Crown Dependencies. Most related territories also keep left, though Gibraltar is an exception and drives on the right. Visitors can adapt quickly by observing keep-left discipline, understanding roundabout priority, and following posted limits and signs.

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.

Why do Americans and Brits drive on opposite sides?

The US drives on the right and the UK on the left due to their differing historical origins, with the British tradition of left-hand driving rooted in medieval sword-fighting, where right-handed knights kept their sword-hand near the center of the road, and the American adoption of right-hand driving linked to the needs of farmers using large, horse-drawn wagons. The colonists in America chose to drive on the right, a departure from British custom, to establish their own traditions and manage the large teams of horses they used for their heavy loads. 
British Left-Hand Driving

• Historical Roots: The practice dates back centuries to when horse riders and pedestrians kept to the left side of the road. 
• Self-Defense: Right-handed knights and horsemen kept to the left to have their sword hand free to defend themselves against oncoming threats. 
• Practicality for Carriages: In the 18th century, drivers often rode on the left-hand horse of a team to control the team with a whip in their right hand. 
• Legislation: The British Highway Act of 1835 officially established nationwide left-hand driving, a rule that was also adopted by its colonies around the world. 

American Right-Hand Driving

• Colonial Innovations: The American colonies developed right-hand driving due to the popularity of large, heavy Conestoga wagons. 
• Wagon Design: To control the team of horses and judge the distance to passing wagons, the driver sat on the left wheel horse, placing the whip hand free to the center of the road. 
• Independence from British Rule: After the American Revolution, the practice of driving on the right was seen as a way to break with established British conventions. 
• Influence of Henry Ford: The introduction of the left-hand drive Model T in 1908 further cemented right-hand driving in the US, as it made it easier for passengers to exit onto the sidewalk and for the driver to see oncoming traffic. 

Is the UK left-hand or right-hand traffic?

Left-hand driving remains the standard in the UK, significantly impacting road safety and driving behaviour. One of the benefits of left-hand driving is that it keeps the driver’s dominant hand on the steering wheel.

What side is the steering wheel on in the UK?

In simple terms, a right-hand drive (RHD) car has the driver’s seat and steering wheel on the right side, while a left-hand drive (LHD) car has them on the left . These correspond to which side of the road traffic uses.