Which Countries Drive on the Left? Complete List & History

Which countries drive on the left — the quick answer

About 76 countries and territories — home to some 1.8 billion people — drive on the left, among them the UK, Japan, Australia, India and most of southern and eastern Africa. It’s largely a legacy of the British Empire. For visitors from right-hand-traffic countries, roundabouts and junctions are where the old instinct bites hardest. The full list, and the history behind it, is below.

This article provides the complete list of left-hand-traffic countries, explains the fascinating history behind the divide, and offers practical advice for drivers making the switch.

The History: Why Left and Why Right?

Ancient Origins

The tradition of keeping left dates back far beyond the invention of the automobile. Archaeological evidence from Roman quarries shows that cart traffic kept to the left on Roman roads. The reason is straightforward: most people are right-handed. On horseback or on foot, travelling on the left kept the right hand — the sword hand — free to greet, defend, or interact with approaching travellers.

The French Revolution and Napoleon

The shift to right-hand traffic gained momentum in France during the Revolution. Before the Revolution, aristocrats drove their carriages on the left, forcing peasants to the right. After the Revolution, everyone was ordered to the right as a symbol of equality. Napoleon subsequently imposed right-hand traffic in every country he conquered, including much of continental Europe.

British Influence

Britain maintained left-hand traffic and spread it throughout its vast empire. The pattern is still visible today: nearly every country that drives on the left has historical ties to Britain.

American Influence

The United States adopted right-hand traffic early in its history, influenced by French allies and the practical design of Conestoga freight wagons, which were driven from the left rear horse. As American automotive and cultural influence grew in the 20th century, several countries switched to the right.

Complete List of Left-Hand-Traffic Countries and Territories

Europe (4)

• United Kingdom — Driving guide
• Ireland — Driving guide
• Cyprus — Driving guide
• Malta — Driving guide

Asia (16)

• Japan — Driving guide
• India — Driving guide
• Thailand — Driving guide
• Indonesia — Driving guide
• Malaysia — Driving guide
• Singapore — Driving guide
• Bangladesh — Driving guide
• Pakistan — Driving guide
• Sri Lanka — Driving guide
• Nepal — Driving guide
• Hong Kong (SAR) — Driving guide
• Macau (SAR) — Driving guide
• Brunei — Driving guide
• East Timor — Driving guide
• Bhutan — Driving guide
• Maldives

Oceania (5)

• Australia — Driving guide
• New Zealand — Driving guide
• Papua New Guinea
• Fiji
• Samoa

Africa (16)

• South Africa — Driving guide
• Kenya — Driving guide
• Tanzania — Driving guide
• Uganda — Driving guide
• Botswana — Driving guide
• Zimbabwe — Driving guide
• Mozambique — Driving guide
• Zambia — Driving guide
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Namibia — Driving guide
• Eswatini (Swaziland)
• Lesotho
• Seychelles
• Somalia
• Tanzania

Caribbean and Americas (14)

• Jamaica — Driving guide
• Trinidad and Tobago — Driving guide
• Bahamas — Driving guide
• Barbados — Driving guide
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• US Virgin Islands
• British Virgin Islands

Other Territories

• Bermuda (UK)
• Cayman Islands (UK)
• Falkland Islands (UK)
• Turks and Caicos (UK)
• Montserrat (UK)
• Anguilla (UK)
• Christmas Island (AU)
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands (AU)
• Cook Islands (NZ)
• Niue (NZ)
• Jersey (UK)
• Guernsey (UK)
• Isle of Man (UK)

Countries That Switched Sides

Several countries have changed the side of the road they drive on, usually for practical or political reasons:

Sweden — Dagen H (1967)

Sweden was the last European country to switch from left to right, doing so on 3 September 1967 at 5:00 AM. Despite the fact that most Swedish cars already had left-hand drive (due to imported American models), the country had been driving on the left. The changeover, known as “Dagen H” (H-Day), required massive infrastructure changes — every road sign, intersection, bus stop, and lane marking had to be modified. Traffic accidents initially dropped sharply, likely because drivers were extra cautious, but eventually returned to normal levels.

Iceland (1968)

Iceland switched from left to right one year after Sweden, in 1968.

Burma/Myanmar (1970)

Myanmar switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1970 by military decree. Unusually, most vehicles in Myanmar still have right-hand drive (steering wheel on the right) because they are imported used vehicles from Japan, creating a somewhat hazardous situation.

Samoa (2009)

Samoa is the most recent country to switch sides — but it went the other direction, from right to left, in 2009. The decision was driven by the desire to import cheaper right-hand-drive used cars from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The change was controversial, with protests and a legal challenge that went to the Supreme Court.

Historical Switches to Right

• Canada (various provinces): British Columbia (1922), Nova Scotia (1923), New Brunswick (1924), Prince Edward Island (1924), Ontario (1924), Quebec (already right)
• China: 1946 (previously left in most regions under British influence)
• Argentina: 1945
• Nigeria: 1972
• Ghana: 1974
• Ethiopia: 1960s

The Border Problem: Where Left Meets Right

One of the most interesting engineering challenges occurs at borders where left-hand-traffic and right-hand-traffic countries meet. These transitions require careful road design.

Notable Crossings

• Hong Kong–China border: Hong Kong drives on the left; mainland China on the right. Elaborate flyover interchanges allow vehicles to swap sides.
• Thailand–Laos (Friendship Bridge): Thailand drives on the left; Laos on the right. A simple crossover point on the bridge handles the switch.
• UK–France (Eurotunnel): The Channel Tunnel terminals handle the transition within the loading and unloading process.
• Macau–China: Similar to Hong Kong, with engineered crossovers at each border checkpoint.

Practical Tips for Switching Sides

If you are accustomed to driving on the right and need to drive on the left (or vice versa), these tips will help:

Before You Drive

1. Rent a car with the steering wheel on the correct side. In left-hand-traffic countries, you want a right-hand-drive car (steering wheel on the right). This makes it much easier to judge your road position and see around corners.
2. Study the route. Familiarise yourself with the first few kilometres from the airport or pick-up point using maps or satellite imagery.
3. Start on quiet roads. If possible, begin driving in a car park or on suburban streets before venturing onto busy main roads.

While Driving

4. Repeat a mantra. Many experienced travellers repeat “keep left” (or “keep right”) to themselves, especially at junctions. The most dangerous moments are turns at intersections, where instinct can pull you to the wrong side.
5. Follow the car in front. When in doubt, follow the vehicle ahead of you. On multi-lane roads, this naturally keeps you on the correct side.
6. Be extra careful at roundabouts. In left-hand-traffic countries, roundabouts flow clockwise. In right-hand-traffic countries, they flow counter-clockwise. The direction of traffic approach is reversed.
7. Watch your positioning in the lane. Drivers tend to drift toward the side of the road closest to them. If you are sitting on the right side of the car, you may drift left. Consciously keep yourself centred or slightly toward the road centre.
8. Beware of empty roads. Paradoxically, empty roads are more dangerous than busy ones because there is no traffic flow to follow, and you may revert to habit.
9. Use the passenger as a navigator. Ask your passenger to help watch for junction approaches and remind you of the correct side.

Specific Challenges

• Overtaking: Remember that you overtake on the opposite side from what you are used to.
• Windscreen wipers vs indicators: In many right-hand-drive cars, the indicator and wiper stalks are reversed. You may find yourself activating the wipers when you want to signal.
• Car parks: Multi-storey car parks can be confusing as the turning direction in ramps is reversed.

For country-specific driving advice, use our country driving guides. You can also compare rules between your home country and your destination using our comparison tool.

Car Rental Tips for Driving on the Opposite Side

If you are renting a car in a country that drives on the different side from what you are used to:

1. Book an automatic transmission. Managing gears with the opposite hand adds unnecessary complexity while you are already adapting to mirrored traffic.
2. Choose a smaller car. A compact car is easier to position in narrow lanes and car parks.
3. Get comprehensive insurance. The adaptation period increases the risk of minor scrapes, especially with kerbs, pillars, and car park barriers.
4. Inspect the car thoroughly. Document any existing damage before driving away.
5. Consider a GPS or navigation app. Visual guidance reduces the cognitive load of navigating in an unfamiliar traffic system.

For more rental advice, see our car rental tips for driving abroad.

Fun Facts

• Population split: Approximately 35% of the world’s countries drive on the left, but they are home to only about 25% of the world’s population.
• The Philippines drove on the left during American occupation, switched to the right under Japanese occupation in WWII, and back to the right again after liberation.
• In Savannah, Georgia (USA), the original road layout was designed for left-hand traffic, and some of the original traffic patterns are still visible.
• Austria switched from left to right gradually between 1919 and 1938, with different provinces switching at different times.

Conclusion

Whether you drive on the left or the right, understanding the global split — and the fascinating history behind it — enriches your appreciation of how something as fundamental as road design reflects centuries of culture, politics, and engineering. If you are planning to drive in a country that uses the opposite side, preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable experience. Take it slow at first, use the tips above, and within an hour you will likely feel comfortable with the mirror-image world of opposite-side driving.

Explore our complete country driving guides to learn about the specific rules, speed limits, and requirements for any country in the world.