Which states drive on the left side of the road?

About a quarter of the world’s jurisdictions—roughly 75 countries and territories—drive on the left, including the UK, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and many Caribbean nations. No U.S. state drives on the left; the U.S. Virgin Islands are the notable U.S. exception as a territory. Below is a region-by-region breakdown of where left-hand traffic is the rule.

Clarifying the term “states”

In this context, “states” can mean sovereign countries or subnational units. Globally, left-hand traffic is set at the national or territorial level. In the United States, all 50 states drive on the right; only the U.S. Virgin Islands (a territory) drive on the left. Elsewhere, many sovereign states and several dependencies use the left.

Left-driving jurisdictions by region

Europe (and nearby)

These European countries and nearby territories follow left-hand traffic, a legacy largely linked to British driving norms and regional alignment.

• United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
• Ireland
• Malta
• Cyprus
• Isle of Man (UK Crown Dependency)
• Jersey (UK Crown Dependency)
• Guernsey (UK Crown Dependency; includes Alderney and Sark)
• Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus)

Notably, Gibraltar (a UK territory) drives on the right due to its land border with Spain. Elsewhere in continental Europe, right-hand traffic predominates.

Asia

Left-hand traffic in Asia spans South, Southeast, and East Asia, blending British colonial influence with local policy choices (e.g., Japan, Thailand).

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

Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and most of continental Asia drive on the right. Border crossings in Hong Kong and Macau include engineered “side-switch” infrastructure to connect with right-driving neighbors.

Africa

Left-hand traffic in Africa is concentrated in southern and parts of eastern Africa, plus a few island states, reflecting historical ties and regional consistency.

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Eswatini
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Tanzania
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Mauritius
• Seychelles
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (UK territory)
• British Indian Ocean Territory (UK territory)

Much of the rest of Africa, including North and West Africa (e.g., Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana) and the Horn of Africa, drives on the right.

Americas and the Caribbean

The Caribbean features many left-driving states and territories; on the mainland, Guyana and Suriname are the notable left-driving countries in South America.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Anguilla (UK)
• Bermuda (UK)
• British Virgin Islands (UK)
• Cayman Islands (UK)
• Falkland Islands (UK)
• Montserrat (UK)
• Turks and Caicos Islands (UK)
• U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S. territory)

Most of the Americas drive on the right, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and France’s Caribbean departments (e.g., Martinique, Guadeloupe).

Oceania and the Pacific

Across Australia, New Zealand, and many Pacific islands—especially those historically linked to Britain—left-hand traffic is the norm.

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Fiji
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Kiribati
• Tuvalu
• Nauru
• Cook Islands (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
• Niue (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
• Tokelau (NZ territory)
• Norfolk Island (Australia)
• Christmas Island (Australia)
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia)
• Pitcairn Islands (UK)

Right-hand traffic predominates in nearby U.S.- and France-linked territories such as Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and Vanuatu.

What about U.S. states?

All 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia drive on the right. Among U.S. jurisdictions, only the U.S. Virgin Islands drive on the left. Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa all drive on the right.

Why these places drive on the left

In many cases, left-hand traffic reflects British historical influence and regional harmonization. There are notable exceptions—Japan independently adopted left-side operation in the 19th century; Thailand was never colonized; Indonesia and Suriname retained left-hand traffic despite Dutch colonial ties; Mozambique aligned left with its neighbors despite Portuguese heritage. Always verify local rules when traveling, as road norms and vehicle configurations (steering wheel placement) can differ.

Summary

Left-hand traffic is used by numerous countries and territories across Europe (UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus), much of South and Southeast Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan), parts of Africa (notably southern and eastern states, plus Mauritius and Seychelles), large parts of the Caribbean (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and others), Guyana and Suriname in South America, and much of Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, and many Pacific islands). No U.S. state drives on the left; the U.S. Virgin Islands are the U.S. exception as a territory.

How many countries drive on the left side of the road?

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.

Why do island nations drive on the left?

Island countries, and other nations, drive on the left primarily due to the influence of the British Empire, which established left-hand driving in its former colonies. This tradition stems from an era of horseback travel, where people kept to the left to keep their sword arm (right) free for defense against oncoming travelers. Countries like Japan, which were not part of the British Empire, also drive on the left due to historical reasons, such as samurai traditions or early railway construction influenced by the British.
 
Historical Roots of Left-Hand Driving

• Medieval Travel: Opens in new tabBefore cars, keeping to the left was a common practice. Most people are right-handed, so keeping to the left allowed them to keep their dominant right hand free to wield a sword or defend themselves against potential attackers coming from the opposite direction. 
• The British Empire: Opens in new tabBritain formally adopted left-hand driving in 1835. As the British Empire expanded, this practice was extended to many of its colonies and territories, which is why countries like India, Australia, Jamaica, and others still drive on the left today. 
• Napoleon’s Influence: Opens in new tabIn contrast, Napoleon is said to have mandated right-hand traffic in the territories he conquered. Napoleon himself was left-handed, leading some to believe he promoted right-hand traffic to give himself a tactical advantage. 

Other Factors for Left-Hand Traffic 

• Japan: Japan drives on the left, even though it was never a British colony. This tradition dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when samurai wore their swords on their left side and would keep to the left to avoid clashing swords when passing others. It was later solidified by the construction of the first Japanese railway, which used British technical assistance and ran on the left.
• Early Railroads: The development of railway systems often influenced traffic rules. In Japan, the construction of the first railway with British help led to trains running on the left, which reinforced the existing tradition.

Which US territory drives on the left?

the United States Virgin Islands
Transportation in the United States Virgin Islands. The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is the only place under United States jurisdiction where the rule of the road is to drive on the left.

Does anywhere in the US drive on the left?

Today the United States is RHT except the United States Virgin Islands, which is LHT like many neighbouring islands.