Which countries have right-hand drive?
Countries that drive on the left side of the road generally use right-hand drive vehicles; prominent examples include the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, South Africa, and many others across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean. In practice, “right-hand drive” refers to the steering wheel being on the right side of the car, which is standard in places with left-hand traffic. Below is a region-by-region guide, along with notable exceptions and practical tips.
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What “right-hand drive” means
Right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles have the steering wheel on the right side. They are typically used in jurisdictions where traffic keeps to the left (left-hand traffic, LHT), positioning the driver closer to the center line for better visibility when overtaking and at junctions. By contrast, countries that keep right (right-hand traffic, RHT) generally use left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles.
Countries and territories that use right-hand drive vehicles (left-hand traffic)
Europe and the Mediterranean
The following European countries and nearby territories follow left-hand traffic, making right-hand drive vehicles the norm.
- United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
- Ireland
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Isle of Man
- Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Sark)
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus)
These areas share historical links to British road conventions or retained LHT for continuity and cross-border practicality.
Asia
Asia contains several large RHD markets, from mature economies to densely populated emerging ones, all driving on the left.
- Japan
- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives
- Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei
- Timor-Leste (East Timor)
- Hong Kong and Macau
Across these jurisdictions, most vehicles are factory-built RHD. Cross-border travel can involve special procedures where LHT regions meet RHT ones (for example, at Hong Kong–Mainland China crossings).
Oceania and the Pacific
Much of Oceania follows the left-hand traffic system, reflecting historical ties and regional consistency.
- Australia, New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands
- Samoa, Tonga
- Kiribati, Tuvalu
- Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands
These countries and territories generally maintain RHD fleets, although some Pacific islands may also see LHD imports due to supply and trade patterns.
Africa
Southern and parts of East Africa predominantly use RHD vehicles, with left-hand traffic harmonized across borders.
- South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini
- Botswana, Namibia
- Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi
- Mozambique
- Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
- Mauritius, Seychelles
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (UK Overseas Territory)
This regional alignment simplifies cross-border haulage and tourism. Neighboring states like Angola, Rwanda, and Burundi use right-hand traffic and therefore prefer LHD vehicles.
The Americas and Caribbean
While most of the Americas drive on the right, a cluster of Caribbean nations and a few territories use left-hand traffic and thus favor RHD vehicles.
- Guyana, Suriname
- Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago
- Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Dominica
- Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- The Bahamas
- Bermuda, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat
- Falkland Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands (drive on the left)
Many Caribbean jurisdictions maintain LHT and RHD traditions. The U.S. Virgin Islands are unique in combining LHT roads with a large share of LHD vehicles due to U.S. supply.
Notable exceptions and special cases
There are worldwide quirks in how steering wheel side aligns with road rules, trade flows, and history. These examples help clarify common points of confusion.
- U.S. Virgin Islands: Drive on the left but most vehicles are LHD, reflecting U.S. market sourcing.
- Myanmar: Drives on the right (since 1970), yet many vehicles are RHD due to longstanding import patterns.
- Gibraltar: Despite UK links, traffic keeps right, matching neighboring Spain.
- Border changeovers: Hong Kong and Macau (LHT) connect to Mainland China (RHT) with special interchanges and permit regimes.
- Import restrictions: Some RHT countries restrict registration of RHD cars for safety; policies vary by country and can change.
Where vehicle configuration and traffic side don’t neatly match, authorities often rely on signage, infrastructure design, and regulation to mitigate safety risks.
How to check local rules before driving or importing a car
Because regulations differ by country and can be updated, it’s wise to verify the rules that apply to your situation.
- Confirm the side of the road used locally (left or right) via an official transport authority or recent government guidance.
- Check whether RHD or LHD vehicles are legal to import and register, and whether conversions are required.
- Review insurance and inspection requirements, including headlight alignment, mirrors, and speedometer units.
- For cross-border trips, research any special permits, lane changeovers, or escorted crossing procedures.
Advance checks help ensure your vehicle is compliant and safe, avoiding delays, fines, or costly modifications.
Summary
Right-hand drive vehicles are standard in countries that keep to the left—among them the UK, Japan, India, Australia, South Africa, and numerous nations across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Caribbean. While most places align steering wheel position with traffic side, a few exceptions exist due to trade, history, or geography. Always verify current local regulations before driving or importing a vehicle.
Which country has the right side steering wheel?
Right-hand drive systems place the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. Countries that use right-hand drive systems include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Even if it’s not standard in America, right-hand drive vehicles are legal in the US.
Is the UK a left-hand drive country?
No, the United Kingdom does not use left-hand drive vehicles; instead, the UK uses right-hand drive cars for left-hand traffic (LHT). This means drivers sit on the right side of the car and drive on the left side of the road, a tradition dating back to Roman times and continued through the British Empire.
Key Points
- Traffic Side: In the UK, traffic drives on the left side of the road.
- Vehicle Configuration: Cars in the UK are “right-hand drive” (RHD), meaning the steering wheel is positioned on the right side of the vehicle.
- Historical Roots: The practice of driving on the left has ancient origins, with theories suggesting it allowed right-handed people to keep their dominant sword or whip hand free.
- Global Context: The UK is one of approximately 30% of countries worldwide that drive on the left. Most of the world, including the United States and much of Europe, uses right-hand traffic (RHT) with left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Official Status: Driving on the left was made mandatory in Great Britain in 1835 and remains enshrined in the Highway Code.
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.
How many countries are right-hand drive?
163 countries
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.
