Which side of the road is left and right?

The left side of the road is the half to your left when you face forward in the direction you’re traveling; the right side is the half to your right. Most countries (about two-thirds) drive on the right-hand side, while a significant minority drive on the left, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, India, and South Africa. This article explains what “left” and “right” mean on the road, where each rule applies globally, and how to keep the convention straight when you travel.

What “left” and “right” mean on the road

Left and right are always defined from the perspective of a person facing the direction of travel. If a country has right-hand traffic (RHT), vehicles keep to the right and generally pass on the left; in left-hand traffic (LHT), vehicles keep to the left and generally pass on the right. Roundabouts also reverse: RHT countries circulate counterclockwise, LHT countries clockwise. Turning rules at red lights vary by jurisdiction—many RHT areas allow right turn on red after a stop, and some LHT areas allow left turn on red where signed—so always check local law and signage.

Where the world drives on left vs. right

Countries that drive on the left (LHT)

These examples illustrate regions where drivers keep left and typically sit on the right side of the vehicle (right-hand drive). This list is not exhaustive but covers major destinations.

• Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga
• Asia: Japan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, East Timor, Hong Kong, Macao
• Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles
• Caribbean and nearby: Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Grenada
• South America: Guyana

In LHT countries, “keep left” signs, clockwise roundabouts, and right-hand–drive vehicles are your primary cues. Many islands and former British territories follow this convention.

Countries that drive on the right (RHT)

The following examples indicate where drivers keep right and typically sit on the left side of the vehicle (left-hand drive). This list highlights major regions and is not exhaustive.

• Americas: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, most of Central America and South America
• Europe: Most countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Hungary
• Eurasia: Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye (Turkey), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
• Middle East: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Israel, Jordan
• Asia: China (mainland), South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Myanmar
• Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo

RHT is the global majority—roughly 65% of the world’s population lives in RHT countries—and predominates across continental Europe, the Americas, and much of Asia and Africa.

How to know which side to use when you arrive

If you’re unsure upon entering a new country or region, these quick checks can help you confirm the correct side before you drive.

1. Watch local traffic at the border, airport, or rental-car exit—follow the flow.
2. Look for “Keep Left/Keep Right” signs and directional arrows on the roadway.
3. Note the steering wheel position on local vehicles (usually opposite the driving side).
4. Observe roundabout circulation (clockwise suggests LHT; counterclockwise suggests RHT).
5. Check bus doors and stops—door placement often faces the curb side.
6. Use navigation apps with lane guidance and heed local road markings.

When in doubt, pause in a safe place, verify signage, and mirror the behavior of local traffic before proceeding.

Key differences you’ll notice

Driving on the opposite side changes a few habits that matter for safety and navigation.

• Driver position: RHT countries use left-hand–drive vehicles; LHT countries use right-hand–drive vehicles.
• Passing and fast lanes: In RHT, the left lane is typically for overtaking; in LHT, the right lane is for overtaking.
• Turns and priorities: The “near-side” turn (right in RHT, left in LHT) crosses fewer lanes and is usually easier; the “far-side” turn crosses oncoming traffic.
• Roundabouts: Counterclockwise in RHT vs. clockwise in LHT, with yield rules reversed.
• Pedestrian safety: Look first toward oncoming traffic from the side closest to you—left first in RHT countries, right first in LHT countries.

Adjusting your scanning patterns, mirror checks, and lane discipline to the local convention helps prevent the most common errors when switching sides.

Why the split exists

Historically, left-side travel was common in societies where riders carried weapons on the right and mounted from the left. Continental Europe standardized right-side travel under French influence in the 18th–19th centuries, and many countries followed. Some nations switched in the 20th century for regional alignment—Sweden famously changed to RHT in 1967 (“Dagen H”), while Samoa shifted to LHT in 2009 to align with nearby Australia and New Zealand and import right-hand–drive cars more easily.

Summary

Left vs. right on the road is determined from your forward-facing viewpoint: left is the half to your left, right is the half to your right. Most of the world drives on the right; a substantial minority—especially the UK and many Commonwealth and Asian nations—drives on the left. Confirm the rule locally via signs, traffic flow, and vehicle layout, and adapt your turns, roundabout approach, and pedestrian checks accordingly.

Is driving in the USA left or right?

right
The Federal Highway Administration has often been asked about the American practice of driving on the right, instead of the left, as in Great Britain, our “Mother Country.” Albert C.

Which side of the road is right?

The majority of the world – around two-thirds of countries – drives on the right-hand side, including: USA and Canada (Canada switched from left to right in the 1920s to align with the US) Most of Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc.) China and Russia.

What is the left-right-left rule?

The Left-Right-Left (L-R-L) rule is a driver’s eye-scanning technique to check for oncoming traffic when turning left at an intersection. After yielding to pedestrians, a driver should first scan left, then right, and then left again before making the turn to ensure there’s a safe gap in oncoming traffic. This also applies when crossing a multi-lane roadway, where you must check both sides of traffic for a safe gap. 
How to Apply the L-R-L Rule:

1. Check for Pedestrians: Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks before anything else. 
2. Initial Left Scan: Look to the left to check for traffic on the closest side of the intersection. 
3. Right Scan: Look to the right for oncoming traffic. 
4. Final Left Scan: Quickly scan to the left again to ensure the path is clear, especially in larger intersections or areas with blind spots. 
5. Continue to Scan: Keep scanning even as you begin to enter the intersection to ensure safety. 

Why the L-R-L Rule is Important:

• Prevents Collisions: This helps you avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles and ensures you turn safely. 
• Adapts to the Intersection: It helps you navigate intersections with varying road layouts and traffic patterns, such as those with two-way stop signs or even multi-lane roadways. 
• Increases Awareness: By practicing a consistent scanning pattern, you become more aware of your surroundings and potential hazards, like cross-traffic or vehicles on the cross street. 

Which way is left and right in a car?

The RIGHT hand side of the vehicle is the PASSENGER’S side of the vehicle. The DRIVER’S side of the vehicle would be the LEFT hand side. Rule of thumb, right and left sides are determined by picturing yourself sitting in the car.