Who Drives on the Left Side of the Road?

About 54 sovereign countries—plus numerous territories—drive on the left, including the United Kingdom and Ireland in Europe; India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand in Asia; Australia and New Zealand in Oceania; much of Southern and East Africa; and many Caribbean states such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. In total, roughly three-quarters of countries drive on the right, but about a third of the world’s population lives in left-driving jurisdictions.

Where the left side rules: sovereign countries by region

Africa

The following African nations retain left-hand traffic, reflecting historical links and regional interoperability—especially within Southern and East African transport networks.

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

These countries form a contiguous left-driving zone across much of the southern and eastern parts of the continent, aiding cross-border logistics and tourism.

Asia

Asia’s left-driving nations encompass major populations and economies, from South Asia through Southeast Asia and the Pacific edge.

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste

Together, these countries account for a substantial share of global left-side driving, including megastates like India, Indonesia, and Japan.

Europe

Only a few European nations drive on the left, mostly with British or Mediterranean historical contexts.

• Cyprus
• Ireland
• Malta
• United Kingdom

This small cluster is unique on the continent, where right-hand traffic otherwise predominates.

Oceania

Across Oceania, left-hand traffic reflects British and Australasian influence and regional standardization.

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

Oceania’s left-driving profile supports inter-island travel norms and vehicle imports aligned with Australia and New Zealand.

Americas and the Caribbean

In the Americas, left-hand traffic is concentrated in the Caribbean and in two South American countries.

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

Guyana and Suriname are notable as the only mainland South American states that keep left, reflecting distinct colonial legacies.

Notable territories and dependencies that drive on the left

Europe and Mediterranean territories

Several European dependencies and special areas drive on the left, often aligning with their administering states or nearby traffic regimes.

• Isle of Man (UK Crown Dependency)
• Jersey (Bailiwick of Jersey)
• Guernsey (Bailiwick of Guernsey)
• Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus)

These jurisdictions ensure continuity with the UK or local practice (e.g., Cyprus), easing cross-border travel.

Asia territories

These Asian territories maintain left-hand traffic due to historical and administrative ties.

• Hong Kong (China)
• Macau (China)
• Christmas Island (Australia)
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia)
• British Indian Ocean Territory (UK)

Border links with right-driving neighbors (e.g., mainland China) are managed via specially designed interchanges and bridges.

Oceania territories

Many Pacific territories aligned with New Zealand, Australia, or the UK drive on the left.

• Cook Islands (New Zealand)
• Niue (New Zealand)
• Tokelau (New Zealand)
• Norfolk Island (Australia)
• Pitcairn Islands (UK)

In these small territories, left-hand traffic harmonizes with regional vehicle supply and visitor expectations.

Americas and Atlantic territories

A handful of Atlantic and Caribbean territories retain left-hand traffic, including a unique U.S. exception.

• Anguilla (UK)
• Bermuda (UK)
• British Virgin Islands (UK)
• Cayman Islands (UK)
• Montserrat (UK)
• Turks and Caicos Islands (UK)
• Falkland Islands (UK)
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (UK)
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (UK)
• U.S. Virgin Islands (United States)

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a notable outlier: they drive on the left despite U.S. federal alignment with right-hand traffic elsewhere.

Context and history: why some places keep left

Left-hand traffic often traces back to British influence or earlier customs favoring sword-carrying riders keeping to the left. Over time, most of continental Europe standardized on the right, but many Commonwealth countries and Japan remained left-driving. Modern changes are rare: Sweden switched to the right in 1967; Myanmar switched to the right in 1970; and Samoa moved from right to left in 2009 to align with nearby Australia and New Zealand vehicle imports.

Border crossings and notable exceptions

Jurisdictions that meet at land borders with the opposite rule use grade-separated interchanges, signage, and lane crossovers. Examples include Hong Kong–mainland China and Macau–Zhuhai connections. Gibraltar (right) contrasts with the UK (left), reflecting integration with Spain’s right-hand system. American Samoa (right) sits beside Samoa (left), while the U.S. Virgin Islands (left) contrast with the right-driving mainland United States.

By the numbers

Globally, around 75% of countries drive on the right and about 25% on the left. By population, roughly 65% live under right-hand traffic and about 35% under left-hand traffic, thanks largely to populous left-driving countries such as India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

Summary

Left-hand traffic is used by about 54 countries and many territories across Europe (UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus), Asia (Japan, India, Southeast Asia hubs), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands), Africa (especially the south and east), and the Caribbean. While most of the world drives on the right, a substantial share of people live where the left still prevails, sustained by history, regional alignment, and practical considerations like vehicle supply and cross-border consistency.

How many countries in the world drive on the left?

Only about 70 nations stick to the left these days—accounting for around 30% of the world population—but that wasn’t always the case. Historians say ancient Romans steering chariots, Japanese samurai following narrow footpaths, and medieval pilgrims trudging to cathedrals all traveled on the left.

Why do British drive on the left?

British drive on the left due to historical reasons, particularly the prevalence of right-handed people and the need to keep their sword hand free for defense when traveling on horseback in the Middle Ages. This custom continued with smaller carriages, where drivers sat to the right to keep their whip hand free. The practice was later formalized into law, with the Highway Act of 1835 mandating left-hand driving throughout the UK and solidifying it as a permanent habit.
 
Historical Origins 

• Medieval Times: In the days of knights and horseback riders, staying to the left allowed right-handed individuals to keep their sword arm free to defend themselves against oncoming strangers.
• Roman Influence: Evidence suggests that Roman soldiers also marched on the left, and some archaeological findings point to Romans driving carts and wagons on the left.
• Early Regulations: Pope Boniface VIII officially sanctioned keeping to the left for pilgrims visiting Rome in the year 1300, which influenced the practice in parts of Europe.

Transition to Modern Driving 

• Carriage Drivers: Opens in new tabWhen larger wagons and carriages with driver’s seats became common in the 18th century, the practice of sitting on the right to control the horses and keep the whip hand free further solidified driving on the left.
• Formalization into Law: Opens in new tabThe practice was legally enforced in Britain with the Highway Act of 1835, making left-hand driving mandatory across the country.

Why it Didn’t Change

• Cost and Habits: Changing traffic laws and associated infrastructure is extremely expensive and difficult, especially because habits are hard to break. 
• Continental Influence: The spread of right-hand driving in mainland Europe was largely due to Napoleonic conquests and French influence. Britain, resisting these influences, maintained its left-hand system. 
• Colonial Legacy: Britain’s imperial reach also spread left-hand driving to many of its former colonies. 

Who drives on the left side of the road?

Countries where drivers use the left side of the road include the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Japan, Ireland, and South Africa, among many others. While most of the world drives on the right, approximately 30% of countries, largely former British colonies, drive on the left.
 
Examples of countries that drive on the left: 

• Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, and the Channel Islands
• Asia: India, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga
• Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, and Uganda
• Caribbean: Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands

Do all African countries drive on the left?

No, not all African countries drive on the left; the majority of African countries drive on the right, but a notable number, primarily former British colonies, drive on the left. Countries that drive on the left include South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and others.
 
Countries that drive on the left: 
Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Countries that drive on the right:

• Most African countries drive on the right, including Algeria, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Cape Verde. 
• Some former British colonies, like Nigeria and Ghana, switched to right-hand driving because they neighbor former French colonies that use right-hand traffic.