Which countries drive on the left?

More than 70 countries and territories drive on the left; prominent examples include the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and much of the Caribbean and Southern Africa. Globally, roughly a third of the world’s population uses left-hand traffic (LHT), a legacy shaped largely by history and former British influence.

Where left-hand driving is most common

Left-hand traffic (LHT) means vehicles keep to the left side of the roadway and typically have right-hand-drive (RHD) steering wheels. LHT is concentrated in parts of Europe, South and Southeast Asia, Oceania, southern and eastern Africa, and many island nations in the Caribbean and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Regions and notable countries that drive on the left

The following regional overview highlights the best-known countries and territories that drive on the left. It is not exhaustive, but it covers the main places travelers and readers commonly ask about.

• Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus; also the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey). Note: Gibraltar drives on the right.
• South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
• East and Southeast Asia: Japan; Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Timor-Leste; Hong Kong and Macau (both left, despite mainland China driving on the right).
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa (since 2009), and Tonga.
• Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
• Americas and the Caribbean: Guyana and Suriname (the only mainland South American countries driving on the left); Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada; territories such as Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, Falkland Islands, and Saint Helena-Ascension-Tristan da Cunha; the U.S. Virgin Islands also drive on the left.

While LHT is strongly associated with former British territories, there are notable exceptions (such as Japan and Thailand), and a few British-linked territories that drive on the right due to regional integration or historical choices.

The largest left-driving countries by population

These countries account for the majority of people who drive on the left, making them particularly influential in automotive design, import patterns, and road-safety standards for LHT.

1. India
2. Indonesia
3. Pakistan
4. Bangladesh
5. Japan
6. Thailand
7. United Kingdom
8. Tanzania
9. South Africa
10. Kenya

Together, these nations shape most of the world’s LHT travel, trade in right-hand-drive vehicles, and practical guidelines for cross-border driving where left and right systems meet.

Switches, special cases, and exceptions

Most countries standardized their driving side in the 20th century, but a few have switched, and several places stand out for bucking the trend in their region.

• Sweden switched from left to right in 1967 (the “Dagen H” changeover), followed by Iceland in 1968.
• Myanmar switched from left to right in 1970, though many vehicles remain right-hand-drive.
• Samoa switched from right to left in 2009 to align with nearby left-driving markets for vehicle imports.
• Mainland China drives on the right, but Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left; special infrastructure at borders manages the transition.
• Gibraltar, despite close UK ties, drives on the right in line with neighboring Spain.
• The U.S. Virgin Islands drive on the left, a rare example within U.S.-administered territory.

Border crossings between LHT and RHT countries use grade-separated intersections, crossovers, and distinctive signage to maintain safety and traffic flow where systems meet.

Practical tips for travelers

If you plan to drive in an LHT country for the first time, a few simple preparations can make the experience safer and less stressful.

• Book a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right (standard in LHT countries) and consider an automatic transmission if you’re new to LHT.
• Study local rules for roundabouts, turning priorities, and pedestrian crossings, which can feel reversed from RHT norms.
• Be extra cautious at intersections, when joining traffic, and after rest breaks—moments when muscle memory can reassert RHT habits.
• Check headlight aim, mirror setup, and toll or vignette requirements before setting off.
• At land borders where the driving side changes, follow posted transition signage and lane guides carefully.

With a bit of advance planning, most drivers adapt quickly to LHT, especially in destinations with clear signage and well-marked road layouts.

Summary

Dozens of countries and territories—about a third of the global population—drive on the left, led by the UK, Japan, India, and many nations across South and Southeast Asia, Oceania, southern Africa, and the Caribbean. While historical ties (particularly to Britain) explain much of this pattern, there are important exceptions, and a few places have switched sides over time. Travelers can navigate LHT safely by preparing for reversed traffic flows, roundabout rules, and border-transition procedures.

How many countries drive on left?

All in all, 174 countries and territories have right-hand drive traffic while vehicles use the left side in 78 countries. Most countries that drive on the left are former British colonies including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Only four European nations still drive on the left, all of which are islands.

Did Canada ever drive on the left side of the road?

Driving in the left lane was the norm on the east and west coasts of Canada, until cross-country jaunts by automobile became more common and the need for standard cross-border traffic rules became more urgent. Central Canada and the prairie provinces had always followed the American practice of driving on the right.

Why do Japanese drive on the left?

Japan drives on the left due to ancient samurai customs and, later, the influence of the British railway system, which was adopted when Japan began to modernize in the 1870s. Samurai carried their swords on their left hips, and to avoid their scabbards clashing, they would walk on the left. This practice was later codified into law in the Edo period and carried over to the modern era when Japan imported British technology.
 
Historical context:

• Samurai tradition: Opens in new tabSamurai typically wore their swords on their left side, so they walked on the left to prevent their swords from hitting others, which could be a sign of provocation. 
• Horse-drawn carts: Opens in new tabIn feudal Japan, this left-hand custom was widespread, even for horse-drawn carts, and a German doctor noted it as a common practice in the late 17th century. 
• British influence and railways: Opens in new tabWhen Japan began to modernize after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, they imported railway technology from Britain. Because British railways operated on the left, Japan adopted this for its own rail system. 
• Codification into law: Opens in new tabThe practice of left-side traffic was formalized in the 1870s with a “Stage Coach Order” that stipulated horses and wagons should avoid each other by shifting to the left. This eventually became the official traffic law for all vehicles. 

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.