Countries that use right-hand-drive vehicles (drive on the left)

Many countries use right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles and keep left on the road, including the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Kenya, and Jamaica. In total, roughly 75 countries and territories follow left-hand traffic (LHT), where RHD cars are standard.

What “right-hand drive” means and why it matters

Right-hand drive refers to vehicles with the steering wheel on the right. These are most common in jurisdictions where traffic keeps left. While laws typically specify the side of the road to drive on rather than the steering wheel position, in left-driving countries RHD is the norm for safety and visibility, affecting car imports, rentals, and cross-border travel.

Countries where traffic keeps left (RHD is standard), by region

Europe

The following European countries keep left, making right-hand-drive vehicles the standard in daily use.

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Cyprus
• Malta

These nations are the only left-driving jurisdictions in Europe today; most of continental Europe drives on the right with left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles.

South Asia

South Asia predominantly follows left-hand traffic, reflecting historical links and regional consistency that facilitate cross-border travel.

• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Maldives

These countries generally use RHD vehicles and share long land borders (notably with India), encouraging uniformity in driving practices.

East and Southeast Asia

Several Asian nations drive on the left, where RHD vehicles are standard for domestic fleets and imports.

• Japan
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Indonesia
• Brunei
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)

These markets, particularly Japan and Southeast Asia, are major sources of RHD vehicle manufacturing and trade.

Africa

Left-hand traffic is prevalent in southern and parts of eastern Africa, aligning closely with neighboring countries for logistical ease.

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Lesotho
• Eswatini
• Tanzania
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Mauritius
• Seychelles

Regional consistency across the Southern African Customs Union and East African neighbors supports shared road norms and RHD vehicle use.

Oceania and the Pacific

Most Oceania nations and many Pacific island states drive on the left, reflecting historical ties and practical alignment with Australia and New Zealand.

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Fiji
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Solomon Islands
• Kiribati
• Tuvalu
• Nauru

This grouping includes Samoa, which switched from right- to left-hand traffic in 2009 to harmonize with regional vehicle supply.

Americas and the Caribbean

While the Americas largely drive on the right, a handful of countries and territories in the region keep left and typically use RHD vehicles.

• Guyana
• Suriname
• Jamaica
• Barbados
• Trinidad and Tobago
• The Bahamas
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Dominica
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Grenada

These left-driving jurisdictions are outliers in the Western Hemisphere but maintain RHD fleets due to regional trade and legacy norms.

Notable territories that drive on the left (RHD common)

Several territories and special administrative regions also keep left, and RHD vehicles are standard or common there.

• Hong Kong and Macau (China)
• Bermuda
• Cayman Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• British Virgin Islands
• Anguilla
• Montserrat
• Falkland Islands
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
• Cook Islands and Niue (in free association with New Zealand)
• Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey (Crown Dependencies)

These territories align their traffic side with historical or regional partners; many import RHD vehicles from nearby left-driving markets.

Important exceptions and quirks

Although left-hand traffic usually corresponds to RHD vehicles, there are exceptions worth noting for travelers and car buyers.

• United States Virgin Islands: drive on the left, but most vehicles are LHD (imported from the U.S.).
• Myanmar: drives on the right since 1970, yet many vehicles are still RHD due to imports from Japan; mixed fleets persist.
• Gibraltar: drives on the right (unlike the UK), aligning with Spain; visitors should not assume UK norms apply.
• Rwanda and Burundi: drive on the right, despite being bordered by several left-driving neighbors.

These anomalies can affect visibility at junctions and overtaking; always confirm local rules and typical vehicle configuration before driving.

Practical guidance for travelers

Driving across regions with different traffic sides requires planning. Rental fleets in left-driving countries will almost always be RHD; international insurance, headlight alignment, and toll systems may vary. When importing vehicles, many right-driving countries restrict or require modifications for RHD cars, while left-driving countries favor RHD imports.

Summary

Right-hand-drive vehicles are standard in countries that keep left, including the UK, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, much of Southern/Eastern Africa, and several nations in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and the Caribbean. While roughly 75 countries and territories follow this system, always verify local rules and common vehicle configurations—some places drive on the left but use LHD cars, and vice versa.