Do you know why some nations still drive on the left side of the road? It’s important for you to know left side driving countries if you have plans to drive abroad or you are just curious about global traffic systems.
Because, when you drive your car, it will help you stay safe, follow country rules & avoid confusion. In this guide, we have prepared a list of all left side driving countries. You will also learn about why these countries follow this road system.
Why Do Some Countries Drive On the Left?
A long time ago, many people traveled on horseback and by walking when there was no existence of cars. Most people were (and still are) right-handed, so riding/walking on the left side made it easier for you to use your right hand for protection. For example: holding a sword or when you greet someone. As you can see, this was common in places such as ancient Rome and later in medieval Europe.
However, when cars were invented, many countries continued this tradition. But, Europe and the Americas decided to switch to the right side for different reasons. Today, you will see, countries such as the UK, India, Australia, Japan and South Africa still drive on the left side. We can say that some countries’ drive on the left side is due to their history, tradition and traffic law as well.
Left Hand Drive vs Right Hand Drive
When you drive in different countries, you may notice that the vehicle’s steering wheel is not always on the same side. When you sit on the left side of your car to drive, this is actually called a Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicle. In some other countries, you have to sit on the right side because that’s a Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicle.
In addition, If you drive a left-hand drive car, you must drive on the right side of the road. You will generally observe this in places like the USA, Canada, France & China. On the other hand, if you use a right-hand drive car, you need to drive on the left side of your road. You will see this driving style in the UK, India, Australia, Japan and South Africa.
From the perspective of gear shift, it is also different. In a left-hand drive car, you should use your right hand to change gears. In a right-hand drive car, you must use your left hand. While driving on the left hand side, you will see road signs on your right side and road signs installed on your left side when you need to drive your car on the right side of the road.
What Countries Drive On the Left Side of the Road
Countries that Drive On the Left in Europe
- Isle of Man: In the Isle of Man (located between England & Ireland), you will find people driving their vehicles on the left side of the road. In this country, you have to follow the UK’s road rules.
- Jersey: In Jersey, which is another British Crown dependency, you also need to drive on the left side. Because, it’s both a law and a tradition of Jersey.
- Malta: When you drive in Malta, you are required by law to stay on the left side of the road.
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia: These are UK military bases on Cyprus and you must drive on the left because of its official law. If you are in the Mediterranean, you still have to follow British traffic laws.
- Cyprus: Cyprus is one of the independent countries in Europe. Where the law says, you must drive your vehicles on the left.
- Guernsey: You have to drive on the left In Guernsey. It’s a mix of legal rule and tradition, same as in the British Crown dependencies.
- Ireland: Well, you need to drive on the left side of the road in Ireland because it’s part of the country’s road laws & driving tradition too.
- England: You will see that cars in the UK have the steering wheel on the right. Therefore, when you drive on the left, it gives you a better view of the road. Plus, you can also overtake other vehicles safely.
- Scotland: Its legal requirement for you to drive on the left side in Scotland. Actually, this rule is set by the government to keep traffic organized.
- Wales: In Wales, you will observe that roads, signs and cars all set up for left-side driving. Hence, it’s mandatory for you to follow the overall traffic pattern.
- Northern Ireland: In Northern Ireland, its traffic policy is to drive on the left because you will find all roundabouts & vehicles designed for only LSD.
Left-Hand Drive Countries in Asia
- East Timor: They adopted a left side driving policy from their nearby countries such as Indonesia and Australia.
- Hong Kong: The roads, signs and cars in Hong Kong are all designed for left-side driving. Hence, when you try to change to the right-side, it can be very dangerous and confusing for you.
- India: Left side driving is part of India’s official traffic laws. So, you must obey it to protect yourself from heavy fines and suspensions of license.
- Indonesia: If we talk about Indonesia’s traffic system, you also need to drive on the left side. This is actually legally required & influenced by Dutch and later British systems.
- Maldives: Generally, Maldives has narrow and small roads and many people use motorcycles & bicycles. That’s why, they adopted a left side driving system for smooth traffic flow.
- Nepal: Nepal was never ruled by the British. But, they closely linked with India, which followed British left-side driving. So, Nepal launched the same traffic system.
- Japan: In Japan, you must drive on the left side because of their old traditions, British-style railways and traffic laws. You will see, traffic rules followed the same pattern as train systems in Japan.
- Bangladesh: People in Bangladesh drive on the left side of the road because of British rule. This system was converted to law after its independence.
- Bhutan: If you visit Bhutan, you have to drive on the left side. It’s legally required of you and you must follow regional norms.
- Brunei: The British introduced left-side driving to Brunei. That is why you still need to continue with that rule.
- Macau: Macau drives on the left to match the Hong Kong traffic system. It also helps them to maintain smooth traffic flow between the two regions.
- Malaysia: Well, you should drive on the left side because it’s part of Malaysia’s traffic laws. All drivers must follow this rule to keep roads safe and organized.
- Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has lots of tuk-tuks, buses & trucks with the steering wheel on the right. This is actually made for left-side roads and you must respect this policy.
- Thailand: They are also influenced by the UK system and use left side driving to match regional driving styles as well.
- Pakistan: You have to drive on the left side in Pakistan. Because, it’s the law and you also should match the vehicle & road design.
- Singapore: Left-side driving is the legal standard in Singapore. You will see, roads, cars and traffic signs all follow this rule in this country.
Left Hand Drive Countries in Africa
- Malawi: In Malawi, you should keep your cars to the left side, same as other countries that followed British rules.
- Mauritius: When you are driving in Mauritius, you have to stay on the left because it is required by law also.
- Tanzania: In Tanzania, you will see many people drive on the left side due to old rules from when another country controlled it.
- Uganda: Wherever you are in Uganda (city or village), you should drive your car on the left lane.
- Mozambique: As you know, Mozambique was once ruled by Portugal. But, today you must drive on the left side of the road unlike Portugal.
- Namibia: People drive on the left side of the road because South Africa used the same rule and the Namibia government adopted this system.
- Seychelles: You must drive on the left in Seychelles as it is legally enforced across the whole group of islands.
- Botswana: Botswana is surrounded by countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe & Zambia, all of them drive on the left.
- Eswatini: In Eswatini (Swaziland), you should drive your vehicles on the left lane because it’s their national law.
- Kenya: Kenya follows a left driving system because they want to maintain an easy way for shipment of goods and travel between countries.
- South Africa/Lesotho: South Africa and Lesotho use left-side driving because of British history and due to their vehicle setup.
- Zambia & Zimbabwe: You must use the left lane to drive your vehicles. It is not just because of history, but you need to do it to stay in step with regional trade, old road systems and border travel.
Countries that Drive on the Left in South America
In South America, you will see only Guyana and Suriname drive on the left side of the road. However, other South American countries drive on the right side of the road. If we talk about its reason, Guyana was once a British colony and Suriname was ruled by the Dutch. Hence, both countries still use left-side driving because it’s part of their traffic rules.
So, when you travel to these countries, you will also notice that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Also, you need to drive your vehicles on the left side, same as you require in the UK or Australia.
Countries that Drive on the Left in Oceania
- Australia
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Papua New Guinea
- Pitcairn Islands
- Solomon Islands
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
Countries that Drive on the Left in America/Caribbean
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- US Virgin Islands
How Many Countries Drive on the Left
There are around 78 countries and territories in the world that drive on the left side of the road. Well, most countries use the right side of the road, but if you visit places such as the UK, India, Japan, Australia, and South Africa, you will notice that you have to drive your vehicles on the left lane.
As you know, many of these countries were once ruled by the British Empire. That is why they continue the same driving rules. But when you see places like Japan and Thailand, you will find they use left-side driving for their own reasons, not because of British rule.
Why Does the UK Drive on the Left
Thousands of people on the internet also ask: why does England drive on the left or why do the British drive on the left?
The UK drives on the left side of the road because of old traditions and to maintain traffic flow. Because it will be easier for you to get on and off from the left side of your vehicle when you are right-handed. So, with time, UK people continue the left-side driving trend, and slowly it converts into a normal way to move around in the UK.
In Europe, you can observe that many countries switched to the right side because of Napoleon. But, the UK never changes its systems. Because if you try to change it, it costs a lot of money. So, the UK stays with its own traffic setup.
Conclusion
In the end, you have a clear idea about where and why you have to drive on the left. Now it’s your responsibility to follow local road rules when you drive your car in a new country.
Jackwin also advises that you should remember which side to drive on & and where the steering wheel is located in your car. You can also contact our Jackwin team for further detail about road safety and if you want traffic/parking products.
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