Driving on the Left vs the Right: A Traveller’s Guide

Left-hand traffic is the norm across the British Isles, much of the former British Empire, and parts of Asia and Africa. Well-known examples include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand and Malaysia. The remaining majority of countries, including the United States, Canada, most of Europe, China and most of South America, drive on the right.

Because the rule is not always intuitive from a map, check the specific country before you travel. Where you cross a land border between a left-driving and right-driving country, there are usually clearly marked transition points to guide you safely onto the correct side.

When the driving side changes, so does the layout of the car and the road. In left-driving countries the steering wheel is on the right, you change gear with your left hand, and you give way differently at roundabouts, which turn clockwise. Overtaking, slip roads and the position of indicators versus wipers can all feel reversed at first.

The most common mistakes are drifting toward the wrong side after a turn, especially onto an empty road, and misjudging your road position because you are sitting on the unfamiliar side of the car. Pedestrians also need to retrain which way to look before crossing.

Take it slowly and reduce distractions while your habits reset. A useful trick is to remember that the driver should always be positioned toward the centre line of the road. Pause and think before every junction, roundabout and turn, particularly when pulling out onto a quiet street where instinct can pull you to the wrong side.

Consider an automatic car to remove gear-changing from the list of new things to manage, and avoid driving while heavily jet-lagged. If you have a passenger, ask them to call out reminders at junctions for the first day or two.

Adapting to a new driving side does not change your document requirements. You still need a valid national licence and, in many countries, an International Driving Permit, which is an official translation of your licence recognised under the 1949 and 1968 conventions. The IDP does not replace your licence; carry both together.

If you need an IDP before a trip to a left-driving country like the UK, Japan or Australia, International Drivers offers an instant online application with quick digital delivery and a physical copy by post.