Who Still Drives on the Left Side of the Road?

About a third of the world’s population—and dozens of countries and territories—still drive on the left, including the UK, Ireland, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, much of Southeast Africa, and many Caribbean and Pacific islands, plus Hong Kong, Macau, Cyprus, and Malta. Below is a region-by-region breakdown, why left-hand traffic persists, and where notable left–right border switchovers occur.

Where left-hand traffic is used today

The following lists group sovereign countries and dependent territories that keep to the left. This overview reflects widely accepted current practice as of 2025; some places have small road networks but are included for completeness.

• Left-hand traffic (LHT) remains common in parts of Europe and the Mediterranean, large swaths of Southern and Eastern Africa, South Asia, parts of Southeast and East Asia, and across the Caribbean and Pacific.

In total, roughly 75 countries and territories use LHT, representing about one-third of the world’s population. The exact count can vary based on how micro-territories are tallied.

Europe and the Mediterranean

These European states and nearby territories continue to drive on the left, largely due to historical legal continuity and colonial-era standards.

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Isle of Man (Crown Dependency)
• Channel Islands: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark (Crown Dependencies)
• Gibraltar (UK Overseas Territory)
• Malta
• Cyprus
• Northern Cyprus (self-declared; LHT in practice)
• Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus)

Together, these jurisdictions form the core European footprint of LHT, with the UK and Ireland the most prominent and well-traveled examples.

Asia

Left-side driving in Asia spans major economies and densely populated countries, which is why so many people live under LHT rules despite fewer LHT countries overall.

• Japan
• Hong Kong (China)
• Macau (China)
• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Brunei
• Indonesia
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)
• Papua New Guinea

From Japan to the Indian subcontinent and through much of maritime Southeast Asia, LHT aligns closely with historical ties and regional vehicle markets (notably for right-hand-drive cars).

Africa

Southern and parts of Eastern Africa commonly drive on the left, a legacy of British administrative standards and regional cross-border consistency.

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Eswatini (Swaziland)
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Tanzania
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Mauritius
• Seychelles
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (UK Overseas Territory)

These LHT countries form a contiguous block that eases cross-border driving; island states in the Indian Ocean also follow LHT.

Oceania and the Pacific

In Oceania, left-side driving is widespread, reflecting Australian and New Zealand influence and vehicle sourcing patterns.

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island (Australia)
• Christmas Island (Australia)
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia)
• Cook Islands (NZ)
• Niue (NZ)
• Tokelau (NZ)
• Fiji
• Solomon Islands
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Kiribati
• Tuvalu
• Nauru
• Pitcairn Islands (UK)

Most French- and U.S.-affiliated Pacific territories drive on the right, making LHT clusters here particularly aligned with Australasia.

Americas and the Caribbean

While the Americas are overwhelmingly right-hand traffic, the Caribbean is a notable LHT enclave, with two left-driving countries on the South American mainland.

• Guyana
• Suriname
• Jamaica
• Barbados
• Bahamas
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Dominica
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Grenada
• Anguilla (UK)
• Montserrat (UK)
• British Virgin Islands (UK)
• Cayman Islands (UK)
• Turks and Caicos Islands (UK)
• Bermuda (UK)
• Falkland Islands (UK)
• U.S. Virgin Islands (USA)

The Caribbean’s LHT tradition stems largely from British influence. The U.S. Virgin Islands are a prominent exception in the U.S. context, driving on the left despite U.S. federal norms.

Why some places still drive on the left

Left-hand traffic persists mainly due to historical and practical reasons. Many LHT countries were part of the British Empire, which standardized left-side rules. Japan, not a British colony, adopted LHT early through railway conventions and later codified it for roads. Once a standard is set, changing sides is costly and disruptive, so countries typically retain their established system unless compelling safety, trade, or regional harmonization reasons arise.

Notable borders and switchovers

At several borders, left-driving countries connect directly to right-driving neighbors. Purpose-built interchanges, lane crossovers, or controlled checkpoints manage the transition safely.

• Hong Kong–Mainland China and Macau–Mainland China: engineered left–right changeovers (e.g., Lotus Bridge; Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge has designated switchover arrangements).
• Thailand–Laos/Cambodia/Myanmar: left in Thailand, right in neighbors, with crossover structures on major bridges and checkpoints.
• India/Pakistan/Bangladesh (left) bordering China and Myanmar (right): transitions handled at controlled crossings.
• Guyana/Suriname (left) bordering Brazil and French Guiana (right): bridge approaches and ferry terminals manage the change.
• Cyprus (left) facing right-driving neighbors across maritime boundaries; internal crossings with Northern Cyprus maintain LHT on both sides.

These engineered switchovers make bi-directional trade and travel feasible without changing national driving rules.

Vehicle orientation and safety notes

In left-driving jurisdictions, vehicles are typically right-hand-drive (steering wheel on the right), which improves overtaking sightlines and boarding/alighting safety. Some places—like the U.S. Virgin Islands and parts of Myanmar (which itself drives on the right)—feature many imported right-hand-drive cars operating against the prevailing traffic side, a quirk that can affect visibility and safety.

Trends and recent changes

Switches are rare today. Notable recent history includes Samoa’s 2009 move from right to left to align with Australia/New Zealand vehicle markets. Earlier, Sweden (1967) and Iceland (1968) famously moved from left to right. As of 2025, no widely announced future switches are imminent; most countries prioritize continuity and cross-border consistency with their neighbors and key trading partners.

Travel advice

If you plan to drive in an LHT country for the first time, a few practices can improve safety and comfort.

• Start with an automatic transmission to reduce cognitive load while adapting.
• Use a co-driver to help with navigation and lane discipline during your first days.
• Pay special attention at roundabouts and multi-lane turns, where habits from right-driving countries are most likely to mislead you.
• Expect right-hand-drive vehicles and mirror placements that differ from what you may be used to.

With a brief adjustment period and careful planning, most drivers adapt quickly to left-side traffic conventions.

Summary

Left-hand traffic remains the norm in the UK and Ireland; Japan; India and several South Asian nations; much of Southeast Africa; Hong Kong and Macau; Cyprus and Malta; and a broad swath of Caribbean and Pacific islands. While only about a third of the global population lives under LHT, these countries include major economies and travel destinations. Historical continuity, regional alignment, and vehicle-market realities keep left-side driving firmly in place in these regions.

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

How many countries still drive on the left side of the road?

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.

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. 

Do China drive on the left?

No, in mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road, not the left. However, the former British colony of Hong Kong, and the former Portuguese colony of Macau, still drive on the left due to their distinct historical and legal frameworks.
 
Driving side in China

• Mainland China: Drives on the right-hand side of the road. 
• Special Administrative Regions: Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left. 

Why the difference?

• Hong Kong . Opens in new tabretained its left-hand traffic system from its time as a British colony, and its traffic rules are protected by a “Basic Law” ensuring its way of life remains unchanged until 2047. 
• Macau . Opens in new tabalso maintained left-hand traffic as a former Portuguese colony. 

Historical Context

• China officially changed to right-hand traffic in 1946. 
• Before the 1946 decision, different regions in China had varying driving rules, with some areas like the Shanghai International Settlement and Japanese-occupied northeast China using left-hand traffic.