Who drives on the left? Countries with left-side road traffic in 2025

Many countries drive on the left side of the road, notably the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, among others. If by “left side drive” you mean jurisdictions with left-hand traffic (vehicles keep left; most have right-hand-drive steering), the following guide lists the main countries and notable territories that do so today, along with context on why this system persists.

What “left-side drive” means

Left-side drive typically refers to left-hand traffic (LHT): vehicles keep to the left side of the road, and most cars have the steering wheel on the right (right-hand-drive, RHD). This is distinct from the term “left-hand-drive” (LHD), which describes the steering wheel’s position on the left side of the vehicle and is used in right-hand-traffic countries where cars keep right.

Sovereign countries that drive on the left

Europe

The following European countries follow left-hand traffic, a legacy of historical and colonial practices and, in some cases, island road systems that never switched to the continental standard.

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Cyprus
• Malta

These are the only European sovereign states with left-hand traffic; most of continental Europe keeps right.

Asia

Asia’s left-side driving countries include large-population nations and major economies, which together account for a significant share of global LHT road use.

• Japan
• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Indonesia
• Brunei
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)
• Hong Kong (China)
• Macau (China)

These countries form one of the largest contiguous clusters of left-hand traffic in the world; note that nearby nations such as China, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines drive on the right.

Africa

Left-hand traffic predominates in Southern and parts of Eastern Africa, often reflecting British colonial-era road norms.

• South Africa
• Lesotho
• Eswatini
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Tanzania
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Mauritius
• Seychelles

In contrast, many neighboring countries—such as Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, Madagascar, and Ethiopia—drive on the right, creating several left/right border transitions across the region.

Oceania

Oceania has a high concentration of left-side driving jurisdictions, led by Australia and New Zealand and spanning several Pacific island nations.

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Fiji
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Solomon Islands
• Kiribati
• Tuvalu
• Cook Islands
• Niue
• Nauru

Most French- and U.S.-affiliated Pacific territories (for example, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands) drive on the right, making regional consistency mixed.

Americas and the Caribbean

While the Americas overwhelmingly keep right, there are notable exceptions among Caribbean states and two mainland South American countries.

• Guyana
• Suriname
• Jamaica
• Barbados
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Bahamas
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Dominica
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Grenada

Elsewhere in the region—including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and most of Central and South America—traffic keeps right.

Territories and dependencies with left-side traffic

Beyond sovereign nations, several territories and dependencies also drive on the left—important for travelers, expatriates, and cross-border drivers.

Europe and the Atlantic

These jurisdictions follow left-hand traffic, often aligning with their administering states or regional norms.

• Isle of Man (Crown Dependency, UK)
• Jersey (Crown Dependency, Channel Islands)
• Guernsey (Crown Dependency, Channel Islands)
• Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus)
• Bermuda (UK Overseas Territory)
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (UK Overseas Territory)
• Falkland Islands (UK Overseas Territory)

Note that Gibraltar, despite being a UK Overseas Territory bordering Spain, drives on the right in line with mainland Europe.

Caribbean

Many British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean maintain left-hand traffic, reflecting historical practice and regional interoperability.

• Anguilla (UK Overseas Territory)
• Montserrat (UK Overseas Territory)
• British Virgin Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
• Cayman Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
• Turks and Caicos Islands (UK Overseas Territory)

These territories are surrounded largely by right-hand-traffic neighbors, so visitors should be mindful of the switch when crossing borders or flying in.

United States jurisdiction

One U.S. territory operates with left-hand traffic, a notable exception within the broader U.S. system.

• U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are the only American jurisdiction where vehicles keep left, even though most cars there are U.S.-spec left-hand-drive.

Asia–Pacific territories

Several territories in and around the Pacific also keep left, often aligned with Australia, New Zealand, or the UK.

• Hong Kong (China)
• Macau (China)
• Cook Islands (associated with New Zealand)
• Niue (associated with New Zealand)
• Pitcairn Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
• Norfolk Island (external territory of Australia)
• Christmas Island (external territory of Australia)
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands (external territory of Australia)

In contrast, many nearby Pacific territories aligned with France or the United States drive on the right, so road practices change across relatively short distances.

Why some places drive on the left

Left-hand traffic persists due to historical, colonial, and practical reasons. The UK and Japan never switched, and many former British territories retained left-side norms. In the Pacific, Australian and New Zealand influence anchored LHT. Today, roughly a quarter of the world’s road networks—and about a third of its population—operate under left-hand traffic, concentrated in parts of Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Caribbean. Cross-border and ferry links, vehicle import patterns, and driver familiarity all reinforce the status quo.

Summary

A significant number of countries and territories drive on the left side of the road, including the UK, Ireland, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and many Caribbean and Pacific nations. While most of Europe and the Americas keep right, left-hand traffic remains common across Southern/Eastern Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Oceania—an enduring legacy shaped by history and regional connections.

How many countries drive on the left side?

There are 163 countries and territories that drive on the right side of the road, while 76 of them drive on the left. Many of the countries that drive on the left — making up about 30% of the world’s population — are former British colonies, including ones in Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and Oceania.

Is the USA left-hand drive?

Yes, most vehicles in the United States are left-hand drive because the U.S. drives on the right side of the road, a practice that became standard in Colonial America. The driver’s position on the left provides better visibility of oncoming traffic and makes it easier to safely pull out from parallel parking. An exception is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where drivers travel on the left, but cars still have their steering wheels on the left, which is a unique situation.
 
Why the U.S. uses left-hand drive cars:

• Right-hand travel: The U.S. adopted right-hand driving early on, with New York instituting the rule for public highways in 1804. 
• Visibility: Having the steering wheel on the left allows drivers to better see oncoming traffic that is coming from the left. 
• Historical factors: The tradition of right-hand driving may stem from large, bulky Conestoga wagons and a resistance to British customs, which favored left-hand traffic. 

Where it’s different:

• U.S. Virgin Islands: Opens in new tabThis U.S. territory drives on the left side of the road, though their vehicles still have the steering wheel on the left. 
• Specialized Vehicles: Opens in new tabA small number of specialized U.S. vehicles, such as mail delivery vehicles, may be built with right-hand drive to improve functionality for the driver. 

Where to see right-hand drive cars: 

• In countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, India, and Australia, which drive on the left side of the road.

Why is Japan left side drive?

Japan drives on the left due to its history with samurai, who kept their swords on their left hip, necessitating left-side passage to avoid collisions. This tradition was reinforced when British companies helped build Japan’s first railways in the 1870s, adopting British left-hand track practice, a system eventually codified into law for all vehicles by 1924.
 
Historical Roots

• Samurai Culture: Opens in new tabIn feudal Japan, most samurai were right-handed and carried their swords on their left hip. Walking on the left allowed them to pass others without their scabbards clashing, which was a serious provocation. 
• Public Adoption: Opens in new tabThis custom of left-side passage became a norm in society, and people would get out of a samurai’s way to avoid conflict. 

Influence of Railways 

• British Technical Aid: Opens in new tabWhen Japan began modernizing in the late 19th century, British engineers were instrumental in constructing the nation’s first railway system.
• Left-Side Trains: Opens in new tabThese railways adopted the British practice of left-hand traffic for trains and, later, electric trolleys.

Formalization into Law 

• Codification: The tradition of left-side driving, rooted in samurai custom and reinforced by the railway system, was officially codified into national law in 1924.

In summary, Japan’s driving on the left is a direct result of pre-modern samurai customs and the early adoption of British railway practices, which were later formalized into nationwide traffic law.

Why do British drive on the left?

British drive on the left due to historical reasons, particularly the prevalence of right-handed people and the need to keep their sword hand free for defense when traveling on horseback in the Middle Ages. This custom continued with smaller carriages, where drivers sat to the right to keep their whip hand free. The practice was later formalized into law, with the Highway Act of 1835 mandating left-hand driving throughout the UK and solidifying it as a permanent habit.
 
Historical Origins 

• Medieval Times: In the days of knights and horseback riders, staying to the left allowed right-handed individuals to keep their sword arm free to defend themselves against oncoming strangers.
• Roman Influence: Evidence suggests that Roman soldiers also marched on the left, and some archaeological findings point to Romans driving carts and wagons on the left.
• Early Regulations: Pope Boniface VIII officially sanctioned keeping to the left for pilgrims visiting Rome in the year 1300, which influenced the practice in parts of Europe.

Transition to Modern Driving 

• Carriage Drivers: Opens in new tabWhen larger wagons and carriages with driver’s seats became common in the 18th century, the practice of sitting on the right to control the horses and keep the whip hand free further solidified driving on the left.
• Formalization into Law: Opens in new tabThe practice was legally enforced in Britain with the Highway Act of 1835, making left-hand driving mandatory across the country.

Why it Didn’t Change

• Cost and Habits: Changing traffic laws and associated infrastructure is extremely expensive and difficult, especially because habits are hard to break. 
• Continental Influence: The spread of right-hand driving in mainland Europe was largely due to Napoleonic conquests and French influence. Britain, resisting these influences, maintained its left-hand system. 
• Colonial Legacy: Britain’s imperial reach also spread left-hand driving to many of its former colonies.