Is the USA left or right-hand drive?

The United States uses left-hand-drive vehicles and drives on the right side of the road. In practice, that means the steering wheel is on the left, traffic keeps right, and passing normally occurs on the left. This standard applies across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with a few territory-specific nuances outlined below.

What “left-hand drive” means in everyday terms

Left-hand drive (LHD) places the steering wheel on the vehicle’s left side, aligning the driver closest to the centerline of the roadway. In the U.S., vehicles travel on the right-hand side of the road, so intersections, signage, lane markings, and driver training are all designed around right-side traffic with LHD vehicles.

Where the rules apply—and why

Right-side travel with left-hand-drive cars is uniform across U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Traffic codes are enacted at the state level but harmonized through longstanding standards and federal guidance for highway design and safety. The pattern reflects historical choices dating to early motoring and has remained consistent for road design, vehicle manufacturing, and driver education.

U.S. territories and notable exceptions

Most U.S. territories follow the same right-side driving convention with left-hand-drive vehicles. One prominent exception concerns which side of the road traffic uses, not which side the steering wheel is on.

• Puerto Rico: Drives on the right; vehicles are predominantly LHD.
• Guam: Drives on the right; vehicles are predominantly LHD.
• Northern Mariana Islands: Drives on the right; vehicles are predominantly LHD.
• American Samoa: Drives on the right; vehicles are predominantly LHD.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Drives on the left, but most vehicles are still LHD due to U.S. market imports.

In short, the U.S. Virgin Islands are the outlier for roadway direction (left-side driving), yet their vehicle fleet remains largely left-hand drive. Elsewhere in U.S. jurisdictions, the norm is right-side driving with LHD vehicles.

Practical implications for visitors and drivers

If you’re driving in the United States, a few operational norms flow from left-hand drive and right-side traffic, and you’ll see them consistently across the country unless a posted sign indicates otherwise.

• Positioning: Sit on the left; keep to the right-hand lane except to pass on multilane roads.
• Turns at signals: Right turn on red is allowed after a full stop in most areas unless prohibited by a sign (notably, New York City generally prohibits it unless a sign permits).
• Roundabouts: Traffic circulates counterclockwise; entering vehicles yield to those already in the circle.
• Overtaking: Pass on the left; slower traffic should keep right where posted or customary.
• Signage and units: Speed limits and distances are in miles per hour (mph) and miles.

Following these conventions—and any posted local rules—will keep you aligned with U.S. traffic expectations and enforcement practices.

Special cases you might notice

You may occasionally see right-hand-drive vehicles in the U.S., but they are exceptions. The U.S. Postal Service and some rural mail carriers use RHD vehicles to reach roadside mailboxes more efficiently, and some specialty or imported vehicles may be RHD if they comply with federal and state regulations. Standard consumer cars, trucks, and buses remain overwhelmingly left-hand drive.

Summary

The United States is a left-hand-drive country that drives on the right side of the road. This standard covers all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and most territories; the U.S. Virgin Islands are the notable exception for left-side roadway travel, though vehicles there are still typically left-hand drive.

Is the US left or right-hand drive?

Right
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.

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.

What side is the steering wheel on in the USA?

Following the roll out of one revolutionary. Car ford Model T was the first car to implement left-hand. Drive with Ford declaring that this would make it easier for people entering on the passenger.