Which countries drive on the left?

About 75 countries and territories use left-hand traffic, covering roughly a third of the world's population. They include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and most of the former British Empire, plus a few others like Indonesia and Thailand.

What is the relationship between driving side and steering wheel?

They are opposite. Countries that drive on the left use right-hand-drive (RHD) cars, with the steering wheel on the right so the driver sits nearer the road centre. Countries that drive on the right use left-hand-drive (LHD) cars. This keeps the driver positioned to see oncoming traffic.

Why do some countries drive on the left?

Left-hand traffic largely traces to historical conventions — mounted travelers kept left to keep their sword arm toward oncoming strangers — preserved through British colonial influence. Most of the world standardized on the right, partly through French and later American influence on road and vehicle design.

Are there countries that switched sides?

Yes. Sweden famously switched from left to right in 1967 (Dagen H), and Samoa switched from right to left in 2009 to align with nearby Australia and New Zealand for cheaper used-car imports. Such changes are rare and carefully planned.

Does this affect renting a car abroad?

Significantly. If you usually drive on the right and rent in a left-hand-traffic country, you will sit on the opposite side, shift with the other hand, and must retrain at junctions and roundabouts. Always check the driving side before booking and allow extra caution.

Driving Side by Country

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Whether a country drives on the left or the right of the road determines which side the steering wheel sits on and how every junction and roundabout works. This reference lists countries by their traffic side, the matching steering-wheel position, and notes on notable exceptions — useful before renting a car abroad.

How it works

Driving side and steering-wheel side are always opposite. Left-hand-traffic (LHT) countries use right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles — the steering wheel is on the right, placing the driver closer to the centre line for better visibility of oncoming traffic. Right-hand-traffic (RHT) countries use left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles.

About 75 countries and territories drive on the left, most of them with historical ties to the British Empire, plus a handful of others. The rest of the world drives on the right. A small number of countries have switched sides — most famously Sweden in 1967 and Samoa in 2009.

Tips and examples

Left-hand traffic, right-hand-drive cars: UK, Ireland, Japan, Australia, India, South Africa.
Right-hand traffic, left-hand-drive cars: USA, most of Europe, China, Brazil.
Switched sides: Sweden (1967, right), Samoa (2009, left).
Renting abroad on the opposite side? Pay extra attention at roundabouts and when turning across traffic.