Is the USA a left-hand drive country?

Yes. The United States is a left-hand-drive (LHD) country: most vehicles have the steering wheel on the left, and traffic keeps to the right side of the road. One notable exception is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where drivers keep left, though most vehicles there are still LHD. This article explains how LHD relates to road rules across the U.S. and its territories, and what visitors and residents should know about exceptions.

What “left-hand drive” means

Left-hand drive refers to the vehicle’s configuration: the steering wheel is on the left side of the cabin. In countries with LHD cars, traffic typically travels on the right-hand side of the road. This is distinct from “left-hand traffic” (LHT), which describes driving on the left side of the road and is commonly paired with right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles.

How the United States drives

Across the 50 states and Washington, D.C., traffic keeps to the right, and vehicles are LHD. Most U.S. territories follow the same pattern, with a single major exception noted below.

The following list summarizes road-direction norms across the U.S. and its territories.

• 50 states + Washington, D.C.: Drive on the right; vehicles are LHD.
• Puerto Rico: Drive on the right; vehicles are LHD.
• Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands: Drive on the right; vehicles are predominantly LHD (some RHD imports exist).
• American Samoa: Drive on the right; vehicles are LHD.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Drive on the left; vehicles are mostly LHD, which can feel counterintuitive to visitors.

These norms mean that, for nearly all of the U.S., drivers will encounter right-side traffic with left-hand-drive vehicles, aligning with expectations across most of North America.

Exceptions and special cases

While the standard vehicle configuration is LHD, some right-hand-drive vehicles are lawfully used in the United States for specific tasks or by enthusiasts. Below are the most common scenarios where you might see RHD vehicles on American roads.

• Postal service and delivery: Many rural U.S. Postal Service carriers use RHD vehicles to reach roadside mailboxes from the curb.
• Service and municipal fleets: Street sweepers, garbage/recycling trucks, and some meter-reading or curbside service vehicles may be RHD or dual-control for better curb visibility.
• Private imports and collectors: RHD imports (often from Japan or the U.K.) are generally legal if they meet federal and state requirements; vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from certain federal standards.
• Territorial variation: In Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, a noticeable share of used-car imports are RHD, even though traffic is right-side.

These exceptions do not change the national norm: the United States remains an LHD, right-side-driving system, with the unique road-direction exception of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Practical notes for visitors and new drivers

If you’re accustomed to left-hand traffic or RHD vehicles, the following points can help you adapt more easily when driving in the United States.

• Keep right, pass left: Travel in the right lanes; use the left lane primarily for overtaking on multi-lane roads (enforcement varies by state).
• Intersections and turns: Right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop in most jurisdictions unless posted otherwise; local rules can differ (for example, many intersections in New York City prohibit it).
• Roundabouts: Circulate counterclockwise; yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
• Headlights and signage: Speed limits are posted in miles per hour; headlight use and seat-belt/child-seat laws are state-specific—check local regulations.

Familiarizing yourself with state and local rules—especially about turns on red, lane usage, and speed limits—will make the transition smoother and safer.

Summary

The United States is a left-hand-drive country where traffic keeps to the right—across all states, Washington, D.C., and most territories. The standout exception is the U.S. Virgin Islands, which drive on the left while predominantly using LHD vehicles. Although RHD vehicles do appear in specialized roles and among private imports, they are exceptions within a nationwide LHD framework.

Is America left-hand or right-hand?

The majority of the world – around two-thirds of countries – drives on the right-hand side, including: USA and Canada (Canada switched from left to right in the 1920s to align with the US) Most of Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc.) China and Russia.

Is America the only country with left-hand drive?

Around 64 countries drive on the left-hand side of the road while the rest of the world drives on the right. In Europe, very few countries drive on the left like we do. These are The Channel Islands, Cyprus, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Malta.

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. 

Which country is left-hand drive?

Some other countries chose the left-hand side of the road. These countries include: Japan, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Mozambique, Suriname, East Timor, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and more. Today, only four European countries drive on the left-hand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus.