Which countries use right-hand-drive vehicles?
Right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles—those with the steering wheel on the right—are standard in countries that drive on the left side of the road. These include the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and dozens of others. Below is a regional breakdown, context on what “right-hand drive” means, and notable exceptions.
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What right-hand drive means—and why it matters
“Right-hand drive” refers to the vehicle configuration: the steering wheel is on the right. This is the norm in jurisdictions where traffic keeps left (left-hand traffic, or LHT). The arrangement places the driver closer to the road centerline for better visibility when overtaking. In right-hand-traffic (RHT) countries—where vehicles keep right—left-hand-drive vehicles are standard. While the two concepts are closely linked, some places permit both configurations or have historical anomalies.
Countries and territories where right-hand drive is the norm (drive on the left)
Europe and the Mediterranean
The following European countries and nearby territories keep left, so right-hand-drive vehicles are standard.
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey and dependencies)
- Cyprus
- Malta
- UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (on Cyprus)
These jurisdictions represent the European core of LHT nations, with motoring standards and vehicle markets aligned to right-hand-drive.
Asia
Asia contains several of the world’s largest LHT markets, where RHD vehicles dominate manufacturing and sales.
- Japan
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Maldives
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Brunei
- Timor-Leste (East Timor)
- Hong Kong
- Macau
From manufacturing hubs like Japan and India to Southeast Asian markets, these locations consistently use RHD vehicles to match their left-side driving rules.
Africa
Southern and parts of Eastern Africa drive on the left, with corresponding RHD fleets.
- South Africa
- Lesotho
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
These countries share regional trade ties and cross-border travel patterns that reinforce left-side road standards and the use of RHD vehicles.
Oceania and the Pacific
In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand anchor a cluster of LHT jurisdictions where RHD is standard.
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
- Samoa (switched to left in 2009)
- Tonga
- Cook Islands
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australian external territories)
Many Pacific islands follow the left-side convention, often influenced by Australian or New Zealand vehicle supply chains.
Americas and the Caribbean
While most of the Americas drive on the right, several Caribbean and northern South American jurisdictions drive on the left and therefore use RHD vehicles.
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Jamaica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Barbados
- Bahamas
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Grenada
- Dominica
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Anguilla
- Montserrat
- Bermuda
- Falkland Islands
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
These locations form a notable LHT cluster in the Western Hemisphere, reflecting historical ties to the UK and regional practice.
Exceptions, anomalies and legal notes
Some places blur the link between driving side and steering position due to history, imports, or local regulations.
- Myanmar (Burma): Drives on the right since 1970, but many vehicles are RHD due to imports from Japan, creating a visibility mismatch.
- United States and Canada: Drive on the right, but RHD vehicles are legal in specific contexts (e.g., postal delivery, older imports subject to rules).
- United States Virgin Islands: Drive on the left, yet many vehicles are LHD because they’re sourced from the U.S. mainland.
- Mainland China vs. Hong Kong/Macau: Mainland drives on the right (LHD standard); Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left (RHD standard), with controlled border-crossing arrangements.
- Gibraltar: Despite being a UK territory, it drives on the right to align with neighboring Spain.
- Import policies: Several right-side-driving (RHT) countries restrict or ban RHD imports for safety; rules vary and change periodically.
If you plan to ship, buy, or register a vehicle across borders, always verify current regulations: legality of RHD/LHD, conversion requirements, and inspection standards can differ widely.
How to check a specific country’s practice
When unsure whether a country uses RHD vehicles, a few reliable checks can quickly confirm.
- Look up whether the country drives on the left or right (official transport ministry or road authority websites are best).
- Check local vehicle market norms (news articles, dealer listings, or automotive associations).
- Verify import and registration regulations if you’re moving a car internationally.
- Consult recent traveler or expatriate guides for on-the-ground practices and anomalies.
These steps help ensure you match vehicle configuration to local road rules and avoid compliance issues.
Summary
Right-hand-drive vehicles are standard in countries that drive on the left—prominently the UK and Ireland; Japan; India and much of South Asia; Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and nearby Southeast Asian nations; large parts of Southern and Eastern Africa; Australia and New Zealand and many Pacific islands; and several Caribbean and Atlantic territories. While most other countries drive on the right and use left-hand-drive vehicles, notable exceptions and legal allowances exist, so always confirm local rules before driving or importing a car.
Is Germany left or right-hand drive?
Germany is a right-hand drive (RHD) country, meaning drivers sit on the left side of the vehicle and drive on the right-hand side of the road, a standard practice in continental Europe. This system is the complement to the left-hand side of the road, where vehicles are typically built with the driver on the right.
Key aspects of driving in Germany:
- Right-hand driving: You will drive on the right side of the road.
- Left-hand steering: Cars are manufactured with the steering wheel on the left.
- Overtaking: Drivers overtake other vehicles on the left.
- European standard: Germany follows the common practice for most of continental Europe.
Which country drives on the left?
These include India, Australia, New Zealand and former British colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Very few countries drive on the left in Europe like we do in the UK. The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive 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.
Is America a right-hand drive country?
Yes, Americans drive on the right side of the road, a practice adopted from large freight wagon drivers who would sit on the left-hand horse to control the team with their right hand, keeping to the right for better visibility and avoiding roadside ditches. This custom eventually became law and was reinforced with the introduction of left-hand-drive vehicles, which became the norm for the majority of the U.S. population.
Historical context
- Colonial Era: Right-hand travel was the norm in America before its independence and was influenced by the practices of those driving large, horse-drawn Conestoga wagons.
- Legal Adoption: Pennsylvania was the first state to enact legislation for right-hand travel on turnpikes in 1792, with New York later extending the rule to all public highways in 1804.
Why the shift to the right?
- Wagon Drivers: Operators of Conestoga wagons would sit on the left-hand horse of the team so they could use their right hand to whip the other horses and control the team.
- Roadside Obstacles: Driving on the right allowed these drivers to keep their wagons away from ditches and other obstacles on the sides of the road.
- Left-Hand Steering: The adoption of the left-hand drive vehicle by the United States, a design popularized by Henry Ford, further solidified the right-hand rule.
Contrast with the UK
- Unlike the United States, Great Britain and many of its former colonies drive on the left. This tradition dates back to when horseback riders would keep to the left so their sword hand (right hand) was free to face oncoming traffic.
