Which country switched from left to right driving?

Sweden is the most famous example, moving from left- to right-hand traffic on September 3, 1967, in a meticulously planned national changeover known as “Dagen H.” Several other countries have made the same switch in the 20th century—often to align with neighbors, standardize vehicle imports, or improve safety—making Sweden’s move part of a broader, global realignment in driving conventions.

The pivotal case: Sweden’s “Dagen H” (1967)

On the morning of September 3, 1967, at 5:00 a.m., Sweden simultaneously shifted every vehicle, sign, and road rule to right-hand traffic. Despite a 1955 referendum in which a large majority favored keeping left-hand driving, the Swedish parliament approved the switch in 1963, citing the need to align with right-driving neighbors Norway and Finland and to reduce cross-border and overtaking accidents.

The operation involved replacing or modifying more than 350,000 road signs, running an extensive public information campaign, and imposing a brief traffic stoppage to reposition vehicles. Accident rates dipped immediately after the change—largely attributed to heightened driver caution—before normalizing over time. “Dagen H” is still studied as a model in large-scale transport policy implementation.

Other countries that moved from left to right

While Sweden’s shift is the best known, numerous countries have changed from left- to right-hand traffic, typically for regional harmonization, political realignment, or post-colonial standardization. Below are notable examples and the context for each change.

• Iceland (1968): Switched on May 26, 1968, an operation dubbed “H-dagurinn,” closely following Sweden’s example for regional consistency and safety.
• Myanmar (Burma) (1970): Changed on December 6, 1970, by government decree under General Ne Win; many vehicles kept right-hand-drive configurations for years, creating a mixed legacy on roads.
• Nigeria (1972): Moved to right-hand traffic on April 2, 1972, to align with neighboring countries and facilitate cross-border transport.
• Ghana (1974): Shifted on August 4, 1974, often referred to as a national “keep right” campaign, to harmonize with West African neighbors.
• Czechoslovakia (1939–1941): The Czech lands (Bohemia and Moravia) switched under German occupation in 1939; Slovakia completed the change in 1941, standardizing to the right.
• Austria (1938): Transitioned in 1938 following the Anschluss, aligning with Germany’s right-hand traffic rules.
• Mainland China (1946): Adopted right-hand traffic nationwide after World War II; Hong Kong and Macau remained left-hand due to separate legal systems.
• Taiwan (1946): Switched to right-hand traffic after the end of Japanese rule, aligning with the Republic of China’s standards.
• North and South Korea (1946): Both shifted from left to right after Japanese colonial rule ended, under postwar administrative directives.
• Hungary (1941): Completed the transition to right-hand traffic in 1941, aligning with continental European practice.
• Portugal (1928): Standardized to right-hand traffic by decree in 1928, with overseas territories following over time.

These switches generally coincided with geopolitical shifts, decolonization, or regional integration efforts, and they often required extensive public education, infrastructure updates, and temporary restrictions to ensure a safe transition.

Why countries switch sides

Countries typically change driving sides to harmonize with neighbors and trade partners, simplify vehicle imports and maintenance (for instance, aligning steering-wheel positions with the flow of traffic), and reduce cross-border accident risks. Political changes—such as occupation, regime change, or the end of colonial rule—have also been major catalysts. Large-scale switches demand months of planning, changes to road markings and signage, and nationwide public-awareness campaigns.

A notable exception: switching the other way

While rare, the reverse transition has happened: Samoa moved from right- to left-hand traffic in 2009 to align with nearby left-driving countries (Australia and New Zealand) and make use of more affordable, second-hand right-hand-drive vehicles.

Summary

Sweden is the best-known country to switch from left- to right-hand driving, executing “Dagen H” on September 3, 1967. It was not alone: Iceland (1968), Myanmar (1970), Nigeria (1972), Ghana (1974), and several European and Asian states made similar shifts in the 20th century, usually to align with regional norms and improve road safety and logistics. These transitions required comprehensive planning and public cooperation, and they remain instructive case studies in national transport policy.

Why did America switch from left to right driving?

America drives on the right due to colonial-era transportation practices, particularly the use of Conestoga wagons where drivers sat on the left horse to control their whip-wielding, right-handed lashing of the team, naturally preferring traffic pass on the left. This habit, along with a desire to separate from British left-hand traffic customs after the American Revolution, led to right-hand travel becoming the norm, later standardized in states like New York by 1804 and eventually by Henry Ford’s left-side steering wheel placement on the popular Model T.
 
Colonial Practices and Wagon Use

• Conestoga Wagons: Opens in new tabDrivers on large freight wagons, particularly the Conestoga, would sit on the left rear horse. 
• Right-Handed Control: Opens in new tabThis position kept the driver’s right arm free to use their whip to control the team of animals, leading to a natural inclination to keep to the right side of the road. 
• Clear Passing: Opens in new tabKeeping to the right allowed the driver to see the oncoming wagon’s wheels and keep clear of them, facilitating safe passing. 

Cultural Factors

• Rejection of British Custom: The widespread adoption of right-hand travel was partly driven by a desire to establish a distinct American identity, separate from British customs. 
• The Revolution’s Influence: The American Revolution cemented this divergence from Britain, with right-hand travel evolving from a colonial habit to a symbol of national independence. 

Standardization

• Early Laws: Opens in new tabThe Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road, established in 1795, was the first to mandate right-hand travel. 
• State Legislation: Opens in new tabNew York formalized right-hand travel on all highways in 1804, and by the Civil War, this practice was followed in every state. 
• Henry Ford’s Role: Opens in new tabThe mass production of the left-hand-drive Ford Model T in 1908 further solidified right-hand driving as the standard in the United States, as it became easier for drivers to see and overtake other vehicles. 

When did Europe change to driving on the right?

In 1922, Europe was split between left-hand and right-hand driving, with countries like the UK, Ireland, and Sweden sticking to the left, while most of the continent drove on the right. Interestingly, Italy and parts of the Balkans had a mixed system depending on the region.

When did Canada switch to driving on the right?

Canada did not have a single, nationwide switch date, but rather its provinces and territories changed to driving on the right in the 1920s, with the process largely completed by 1924 to align with the United States. For example, British Columbia switched to driving on the right on January 1, 1922, followed by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in subsequent years. The Dominion of Newfoundland, which joined Canada in 1949, was the last to switch in 1947. 
Key details:

• Eastern Central Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, and the prairie provinces had always driven on the right. 
• British Columbia: Changed to driving on the right on January 1, 1922. 
• Maritime Provinces: New Brunswick changed on December 1, 1922; Nova Scotia on April 15, 1923; and Prince Edward Island on May 1, 1924. 
• Dominion of Newfoundland: Switched to driving on the right in 1947. 
• Reason for Change: The switch was largely to standardize traffic rules and to facilitate movement and trade with the United States, which already drove on the right. 

Which country changed driving from left to right?

‘the right-hand traffic reorganisation’), was on 3 September 1967, the day on which Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. The “H” stands for “Högertrafik”, the Swedish word for right-hand traffic. It was by far the largest logistical event in Sweden’s history.