Which countries have left-hand traffic?

Several countries drive on the left, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and many others across the Caribbean and Pacific. In total, about a quarter of the world’s countries and territories—and roughly a third of the global population—use left-hand traffic, a legacy of British influence, regional alignment, and historical norms.

What “left-hand traffic” means

Left-hand traffic (LHT) means vehicles keep to the left side of the road and typically have right-hand-drive (RHD) steering wheels. This arrangement affects road design, signage, vehicle import patterns, and cross-border travel—especially at frontiers where neighboring countries use right-hand traffic (RHT).

Countries and territories that drive on the left (as of 2025)

Europe

In Europe, left-hand traffic is concentrated in the British Isles and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, reflecting historical practices maintained for safety, consistency, and regional norms.

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney)
• Cyprus
• Malta

Together, these jurisdictions preserve LHT through long-standing legal frameworks and infrastructure, including vehicle standards and road layouts tailored to left-side driving.

Asia

Asia has a large cluster of LHT countries, especially in South Asia and Southeast Asia, alongside notable city-regions that differ from their neighbors.

• Japan
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives
• Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei
• Hong Kong and Macao (both LHT; mainland China is RHT)
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)

This mix reflects both British colonial legacies and practical trade ties (for example, compatibility with right-hand-drive vehicle markets in Japan and Southeast Asia).

Oceania

Across Oceania, most Commonwealth-linked islands and nations keep to the left, with a few exceptions in French- and U.S.-aligned territories that drive on the right.

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

Notably, Samoa switched from right to left in 2009 to align with nearby RHD vehicle markets and reduce car costs—one of the few modern-era side changes.

Africa

Southern and parts of Eastern Africa commonly use LHT, influenced by historical links and cross-border consistency within the region.

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

Regional continuity is key: neighboring countries often share the same traffic side to simplify trade, tourism, and safety at borders.

Americas and the Caribbean

In the Western Hemisphere, LHT is found in several Caribbean nations and a few mainland exceptions in South America, plus some overseas territories.

• Guyana, Suriname
• Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago
• Bahamas, Bermuda
• Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica
• Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada
• British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Montserrat
• United States Virgin Islands (notable U.S. exception driving on the left)
• Falkland Islands (UK Overseas Territory)

These jurisdictions highlight how LHT persists where historical ties and island networks favor continuity and vehicle sourcing from RHD markets.

Why some places drive on the left

Left-hand traffic often traces back to British influence, established habits from horse-and-carriage days, and safety rationales (such as keeping a sword hand free historically). Modern persistence reflects vehicle supply chains (RHD cars), driver familiarity, and the cost and risk of switching sides.

Notable borders and side-switching infrastructure

Where LHT meets RHT, engineered crossovers, signage, and speed adjustments help drivers switch sides safely.

• Hong Kong–Shenzhen and Macao–Zhuhai (special flyovers and interchanges)
• Thailand with Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar (bridges and border control layouts)
• UK–France (Channel Tunnel and ferry ports with clear side-change design)

These facilities are carefully designed to minimize confusion and collisions, guiding drivers smoothly between systems.

Recent and historical switches

While most countries keep their established system, a few have switched for regional alignment or policy reasons.

• Sweden switched from left to right in 1967 (“Dagen H”).
• Iceland followed in 1968.
• Samoa switched from right to left in 2009.
• Several West African states (e.g., Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) moved from left to right in the 1970s to match neighbors.

Such changes require extensive public campaigns, infrastructure updates, and vehicle adaptations, so they’re rare today.

Practical tips for travelers

If you’re planning to drive in an LHT country, a few habits can greatly improve safety and comfort.

• Rent a right-hand-drive vehicle to match local norms.
• Practice navigating roundabouts clockwise and look right for priority.
• Be extra cautious when turning across oncoming traffic (right turns in LHT).
• Adjust mirror settings and lane positioning before setting off.
• Use GPS with lane guidance, especially in cities and at complex interchanges.

These steps help reorient muscle memory and reduce the likelihood of drifting to the wrong side, especially after long flights or jet lag.

Summary

A substantial list of countries and territories—including the UK, Ireland, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and many Caribbean and Pacific islands—use left-hand traffic. The pattern stems from historical precedent and regional alignment, with modern infrastructure and vehicle markets reinforcing the system. Travelers should prepare for roundabouts, lane habits, and right-hand-drive vehicles when visiting LHT destinations.

Is the USA left-hand traffic?

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.

Does the UK use left-hand traffic?

Left-hand driving remains the standard in the UK, significantly impacting road safety and driving behaviour. One of the benefits of left-hand driving is that it keeps the driver’s dominant hand on the steering wheel.

Is China a left-hand drive country?

No, in mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road, not the left. However, the former British colony of Hong Kong, and the former Portuguese colony of Macau, still drive on the left due to their distinct historical and legal frameworks.
 
Driving side in China

• Mainland China: Drives on the right-hand side of the road. 
• Special Administrative Regions: Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left. 

Why the difference?

• Hong Kong . Opens in new tabretained its left-hand traffic system from its time as a British colony, and its traffic rules are protected by a “Basic Law” ensuring its way of life remains unchanged until 2047. 
• Macau . Opens in new tabalso maintained left-hand traffic as a former Portuguese colony. 

Historical Context

• China officially changed to right-hand traffic in 1946. 
• Before the 1946 decision, different regions in China had varying driving rules, with some areas like the Shanghai International Settlement and Japanese-occupied northeast China using left-hand traffic. 

How many countries have left-hand traffic?

There are 163 countries and territories that drive on the right and 76 that drive on the left.