How to Drive on the Left — Guide for Right-Hand Drivers

Driving on the left — the quick answer

The hard part isn’t the road, it’s the habits: you sit on the right, change gear with your left hand, and your instinct at junctions points the wrong way. The proven fixes are to keep the centre line by your shoulder, take roundabouts clockwise, and say ‘stay left’ out loud after every turn and every fuel stop. The full transition guide is below.

💡 Calculate yours: Tyre Pressure Calculator — instant correct PSI/bar for any car + load, free.

This guide walks you through what matters about driving on the left, from vehicle familiarisation to mastering roundabouts, overtaking, and motorway driving.

Understanding Left-Hand Traffic

Approximately 35% of the world’s countries drive on the left. The convention has historical roots — in medieval times, right-handed horsemen preferred to keep to the left so their sword arm was closer to oncoming travellers. Countries that were part of the British Empire largely retained this tradition.

For a complete list of which side each country drives on, see our left-hand drive countries guide.

Countries Where You Drive on the Left

Before You Drive — Preparation

Choose an Automatic Vehicle

If you normally drive a manual, renting an automatic removes one major adjustment. In a right-hand-drive vehicle, the gear stick is on your left — operating a manual gearbox with your non-dominant hand while simultaneously processing a mirrored road layout is a recipe for cognitive overload.

Familiarise Yourself with the Vehicle

Before leaving the rental lot:

1. Adjust mirrors carefully — you need excellent rear visibility when your driving position is unfamiliar.
2. Locate indicators and wipers — in many right-hand-drive cars, the indicator stalk is on the right and the wiper stalk on the left (the opposite of most continental European and American cars).
3. Test the lights, horn, and handbrake in the car park.
4. Set up your sat-nav before moving. Audio navigation directions like “take the next left” become critical anchors.

Start in a Quiet Area

Do not drive straight from the airport into city traffic. Choose a quiet car park or residential street to spend 10-15 minutes getting comfortable with the vehicle’s controls and your lane position.

Key Driving Differences

Road Position

Your natural instinct will be to drift towards the centre of the road (right). This is the single most common error. Use the left kerb as your reference point and consciously position yourself towards it. The centre line should be to your right.

Tip: Place a small sticker on the top-left corner of the windscreen as a visual reminder during your first day.

Turning at Junctions

This is where most incidents occur:

• Turning left is your “easy” turn — you stay on the near side of the road, equivalent to a right turn in right-hand traffic.
• Turning right requires you to cross oncoming traffic — equivalent to a left turn in your home country. Look right for approaching vehicles.

The danger zone is when you leave a side road, petrol station, or car park. Your instinct may send you into the right lane. Always pause, look, and consciously turn left into the left lane.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts in left-driving countries flow clockwise. You:

1. Approach from the left
2. Give way to traffic coming from your right
3. Signal left to exit
4. Exit to the left

This is the mirror image of continental European roundabouts. If you are unfamiliar with roundabouts generally, see our roundabout rules guide.

Overtaking

You overtake on the right in left-hand traffic. On dual carriageways and motorways, the right lane is the “fast lane.” The left lane is for normal driving. This is the complete reverse of right-hand traffic countries.

When overtaking on a single carriageway, you pull out to the right to pass slower vehicles. Visibility can be challenging if you are driving a left-hand-drive vehicle (your own car from home) because you are seated on the “wrong” side for seeing oncoming traffic.

Motorway Driving

On motorways (or highways) in left-driving countries:

• Left lane: Normal driving (the “slow lane”)
• Middle lane(s): Overtaking slower traffic
• Right lane: Fast lane for overtaking only

Lane discipline is important. Stay in the left lane unless overtaking. In the UK particularly, undertaking (passing on the left) is discouraged and in some circumstances illegal.

Country-Specific Tips

United Kingdom

• Speed limits: 30 mph in towns, 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
• Roundabouts are extremely common — you may encounter dozens in a single journey.
• Narrow country roads require passing in lay-bys. The convention is that the driver going downhill gives way to the driver going uphill.
• See our UK driving guide for full details.

Japan

• Speed limits are low: 40-60 km/h in urban areas, 80-100 km/h on expressways.
• Expressway tolls are high. An ETC card (electronic toll collection) is recommended.
• An International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention 1949) is required. See our IDP guide.
• Traffic lights are horizontal, and some road signs are in Japanese only outside major cities.

Australia

• Vast distances between towns, especially in the Outback. Fuel up whenever possible.
• Watch for wildlife — kangaroos are a genuine hazard, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced with cameras and patrols.
• See our Australia driving guide for full details.

Thailand

• Traffic can be chaotic in Bangkok. Consider avoiding city driving.
• An International Driving Permit is required.
• Motorcycle traffic weaves through lanes — extra vigilance is needed.
• See our Thailand driving guide.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The Windscreen Wiper Problem

In most right-hand-drive vehicles, the indicator and wiper stalks are swapped. You will spend the first day or two turning on the wipers every time you intend to signal. This is universal and harmless — it fades within 48 hours.

The Car Park Instinct

Car parks, petrol stations, and hotel driveways are danger zones. When you pull out of a parking space, your autopilot may direct you to the right side of the road. Develop a mental checklist: stop, look left, confirm you are turning into the left lane.

The Pedestrian Lookout

As a pedestrian in a left-driving country, you are also at risk. Look right first when crossing a road. Many cities paint “Look Right” or “Look Left” at crossings for this reason.

The Fatigue Factor

Driving on the unfamiliar side demands constant mental effort. You will tire more quickly than normal. Take breaks every 90 minutes, and avoid driving at night during your first day or two. See our driving fatigue prevention guide for more tips.

Practical Checklist

Before your trip:

• Book an automatic rental vehicle
• Obtain an International Driving Permit if required
• Download offline maps for your destination
• Review country-specific driving rules on TyreMap
• Check insurance cover for the destination country

First day:

• Spend 10-15 minutes in a quiet area getting used to the car
• Set up sat-nav with audio directions
• Place a visual reminder sticker on the windscreen
• Plan a simple route for your first drive — avoid motorways and city centres
• Take frequent breaks

Conclusion

Switching from right-hand to left-hand traffic is a skill that millions of drivers master every year. The adjustment period is typically 24-48 hours, after which most drivers report feeling comfortable and confident. The keys are preparation, choosing an automatic vehicle, starting in quiet areas, and being especially cautious at junctions and roundabouts.

For country-specific driving rules, speed limits, and tyre regulations, explore our country driving guides and tyre laws directory. Use our country comparison tool to compare driving rules between your home country and your destination.