Countries with Left-Hand Drive
Overview of Left-Hand Drive Countries
Most folks around the globe are cruising on the right side, with 174 countries and territories vibing to that tune. On the flip side, just 78 countries go the left-hand drive route. So, let’s see how the lefties roll across different parts of the world.
| Continent | Number of Left-Hand Drive Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe | 6 |
| Africa | 14 |
| Asia | 16 |
| South Pacific | 12 |
Wanna dive deeper? Check out our articles on European countries, African countries, and Oceania countries.
Historical Influences on Driving Direction
Why drive on this side or that side? It mostly boils down to history, culture, and a sprinkle of politics. Back in the medieval days, folks stuck to the left because, well, it was easier for those right-handed knights to fend off attackers while holding onto their swords.
Fast forward to the time of cars — the alignment choice often mirrored the colonial giants. Take India, Australia, and Kenya; these places still salute the left because of their British influence once upon a time (Commonwealth countries galore).
Politics also played a part, with nations switching sides to match their neighbors and ease border shenanigans — like Sweden jumping ship in ’67 to keep things right.
Curious for more? Head to our resources on European countries, Asian countries, and European countries again.
Getting why countries steer the way they do gives you the full scoop on the world’s driving quirks. For a big-picture view on who does what, find detailed comparisons in the Right-Hand Drive countries list and more across different regions.
European Countries with Left-Hand Drive
In Europe, it’s not every day you find countries sticking to the left side of the road. This curious preference is sprinkled across the continent, often rooted in a mix of ancient habits and a sprinkle of practicality. Right now, just a few hold on to the left-hand driving custom.
Island Nations Driving on the Left
For the most part, it’s the island nations in Europe where you’ll see cars keeping to the left. Here’s where they’re at:
| Country | Region |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Northern Europe |
| Ireland | Northern Europe |
| Malta | Southern Europe |
| Cyprus | Eastern Mediterranean |
These small yet spirited nations cherish their left-hand lanes, sticking to traditions laid down when colonial influence was the name of the game. The old ways thrived, and they’re not changing lanes anytime soon.
United Kingdom
The UK’s the heavyweight champ of island nations keeping left. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland play by these rules, a nod back to the 18th century when such practices really hit the road during the British Empire’s heyday.
For more about the UK’s components, check our list of countries in great britain out.
Ireland
Ireland tags along nicely with the UK, comfortable in its left-lane sanctuary. Even though it could cross the road to join its right-hand driving neighbors over on the European mainland, Ireland’s not budging. They’re sticking with what works for them.
African Countries with Left-Hand Drive
Former British Colonies Driving on the Left
When it comes to driving directions, threre’s an interesting mix in Africa. Some nations still follow that twisty, turny left-hand driving convention from their old British colonial days. It’s like a little piece of history zipping along the highways. Whether you’re a traveler looking to explore or just a local living your day-to-day, knowing which way to go is key. So buckle up while we list the countries still taking cues from old Blighty.
Here are some places in Africa where they still drive on the left, a throwback to their British colonial times:
| Country | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|
| South Africa | The Big Cheese economy-wise, with roads crisscrossing ecosystems and cities |
| Tanzania | Safari central, boasting wild animals you see in documentaries |
| Kenya | Think Lion King vibes with the spectacular Maasai Mara |
| Uganda | Where the Nile thinks its roots are, plus mind-blowing nature everywhere |
| Zambia | Home to the thunderous Victoria Falls, swimmingly into your UNESCO sights |
| Zimbabwe | Ancient stories whispering in its ruins and parks gallore |
| Botswana | a biodiversity superhero with sparkly diamonds throwing shade |
| Lesotho | A mountain-hugged nation better put your hiking boots on |
| Malawi | Splashing tails and fins in Lake Malawi, ain’t it great big blue? |
| Mauritius | Ah, the Island life calling tourists to sandy havens |
| Namibia | Desert dunes dancing, wildlife wonderland with a hint of mystique |
| Swaziland | A cultural parade, say hello to Eswatini |
| Seychelles | Picture-perfect island archipelago that’s a tourists best friend |
| Ghana | Plays hard-to-get with left-hand driving—mostly sticks to the right (Rentalmoose) |
If you’re hitting the road in these places, switching your mindset to the left is a must. It’s all about adapting to keep things safe and sound for everyone.
Wanna know where else folks drive on the left? Check out similar lists on European countries with left-hand drive. Fancy a dive into countries in Oceania where traffic heads left too? And for the traveler on a budget, explore places with countries with free healthcare to plan your visit smartly.
Asian Countries with Left-Hand Drive
Left-Hand Traffic in Various Asian Nations
Asia’s got a mix of countries driving on either side of the road, so let’s get curious about which ones like the left. Here’s a laid-out list with a peek behind why some folks stick to the left lane.
| Country | Left-Hand Drive Adoption |
|---|---|
| Japan | Yes |
| India | Yes |
| Malaysia | Yes |
| Singapore | Yes |
| Thailand | Yes |
| Indonesia | Yes |
| Bangladesh | Yes |
| Pakistan | Yes |
| Sri Lanka | Yes |
| Nepal | Yes |
| Bhutan | Yes |
| Hong Kong | Yes |
| Macau | Yes |
| Brunei | Yes |
| East Timor (Timor-Leste) | Yes |
Historical Context
Why do some Asian countries stick with left-hand driving? A bunch got it from their British past. Back in the day, places like India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh were steered towards the left by their colonial overlords (Source). Even after waving goodbye to British rule, Malaysia and Hong Kong decided to stick with their traffic norms.
Japan’s a bit of an oddball—never had much to do with the British but still drives on the left side. This tradition goes way back, even before the short-lived British tea party there (Source).
Practical Insights
In places like Japan, folks are used to right-hand steering, driving on the left side. This setup helps in better maneuverability and sight for drivers. Other countries like India, Malaysia, and Singapore have kept it this way mostly out of tradition and it kinda works for them.
For new folks, including expats or tourists, tackling left-side driving might be tricky at first. But don’t worry! These countries typically have roads well-marked and laid out to make the switch smoother.
Looking to find out more about traffic habits across the globe? Check out the driving styles in Africa and Europe.
South American Countries with Left-Hand Drive
When it comes to driving, folks in South America tend to keep to the right. But, there are always those few curveballs that keep things interesting. Let’s see where driving on the left is a thing in and around South America!
Left-Hand Driving in Central and South America
Most places in these neck of the woods have folks driving on the right, but there are a couple of cool outliers to check out.
French Guiana
French Guiana is a bit of an oddball. Even though it’s considered part of South America, this region drives on the left. It’s kinda funky since it’s connected to France, and they cruise on the right over there.
Costa Rica
Jumping to Central America, Costa Rica likes to keep things wild by also driving on the left. You won’t find many neighbors there doing the same, which makes Costa Rica stand out in the road rules department.
| Country/Region | Driving Direction |
|---|---|
| French Guiana | Left-Hand Drive |
| Costa Rica | Left-Hand Drive |
If you’re curious to know more about who drives where, check out our pages for African countries and European countries.
Elsewhere in South America, heavy hitters like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile follow the right-side shuffle. Comparing their driving setups to the lefties can be quite the eye-opener.
Want to dig deeper into the global driving madness? We have more juicy tidbits laying around:
Getting the lowdown on these diverse driving customs helps folks—be they travelers or curious minds—get a better grip on the fascinating backstories behind how regions roll.
Oceania Countries with Left-Hand Drive
Oceania’s one of those places where driving on the left is the norm. Here, we’ll dig into how Australia and New Zealand roll in this department. They’re the big names down under keeping up with this side of the road custom.
Left-Hand Traffic in Australia and New Zealand
In the world of left-side drivers, Australia and New Zealand are part of the gang. They belong to a group of 14 countries in Oceania where left-hand driving’s the way to go, according to Rentalmoose.
Australia
Down in Oz, driving on the left isn’t just a suggestion; it’s the law from coast to coast. This dates back to when the Brits came over with their rules and roads. Now it’s a way of life there, written into law books and lived out on highways.
Key Bits:
- Same Rules Everywhere: No matter where you are in Australia, left’s the law.
- Blame the Brits: They started it all during their colonial days.
- By The Book: All about laws and regulations to keep folks on the correct side.
New Zealand
Over in New Zealand, they stick to the left too, thanks to their British buddies from yesteryears. They’ve got a bunch of regulations to keep everyone safe and sound, making sure people know how to handle their wheels left-style.
Key Bits:
- Left is Law: Every corner of New Zealand plays by the left rule.
- A Throwback to the British Days: Goes way back in history.
- Safety First: A strong focus on rules to keep the roads running smoothly.
| Country | Driving Side | Who’s Responsible | Same Story All Over | Safety First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Left | Original British Influence | Yep | Yep |
| New Zealand | Left | Thanks to the Brits | Yep | Yep |
Understanding these driving habits is handy if you’re cruising through Oceania. Got a thirst for more left-side driving countries? Dive into our African lineup or European collection. For bigger scope, we also have a Oceania countries list, and for those on the right side of things, our right-hand drive list awaits.
North American Countries with Left-Hand Drive
In North America, driving on the left side is pretty much an oddity, surfacing in only a sprinkle of spots. A standout in this unusual club is the United States Virgin Islands.
Territories Maintaining Left-Hand Driving
Despite being part of the USA family, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) prefers the left side of the road. This quirky choice harks back to its historical ties and its closeness to other Caribbean neighbors that stick to the same lane (Wikipedia).
| Territory | Driving Side |
|---|---|
| United States Virgin Islands | Left-hand |
For an expanded view, check out our piece on the global scene of right-hand and left-hand traffic.
While most of North America, like Canada and Mexico, plays the right-hand game, USVI dances to its own tune. That adds a bit of spice to the region’s driving rules. For a deeper dive into diverse driving customs, head over to our other posts about list of European countries, list of African countries, and list of Asian countries.
The roots of this left-hand choice are tangled up in colonial legacy and rules borrowed from the British. To figure out more about why driving directions vary and their historical roots, flip through our content on historical influences on driving direction.
Worldwide Distribution of Left-Hand Drive
Comparison of Right-Hand and Left-Hand Traffic
Most folks around the globe are zipping down the right side of the road. We’re talking 165 countries that include places like the Americas, mainland Europe, a good chunk of Africa, and most of Asia, except the South bit. Now, about 75 countries roll with left-hand traffic, covering a sixth of the Earth’s surface and about a third of its people. So, we’ve got left-side drivers in spots like South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, bits of Africa, and the Caribbean islands.
| Traffic Side | Number of Countries | Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Right-Hand Traffic (RHT) | 165 | Americas, Continental Europe, most of Africa, mainland Asia except South Asia |
| Left-Hand Traffic (LHT) | 75 | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, parts of Africa and the Caribbean |
The UK’s touch is real here—left-hand driving sprouted mostly in its former territories like India, Malaysia, and Singapore. Even Myanmar switched sides and now cruises on the right.
United States and Canada
The U.S. made right-hand driving official in 1821. Funny enough, the National Road kept it old school with left-hand driving until 1850. Today, the U.S. Virgin Islands still keep it left. Canada made the shift between 1920 and 1947, mostly to make life easier around the U.S. border.
Europe
Europe went on a right-side spree in the 20th century, trying to get everyone on the same page. Sweden was the last holdout, flipping the switch on September 3, 1967, after throwing some serious cash into getting people ready and roads sorted.
Safety Considerations
There’s chat that folks driving on the left might be safer ‘cause most of us are right-eye and right-hand strong. This means better spotting of incoming traffic with that dominant peeper and keeping a steady grip on the wheel.
Need more on traffic trends? Check out these related spots:
- Countries with right hand drive
- European nations
- Places in Oceania
- African countries
- Asian regions