Ever had that heart-stopping moment? You’re pulling out of a gas station in a foreign country, you turn naturally into the lane, and suddenly—bam—there’s a truck grill staring you in the face. Honestly, it's a rite of passage for many travelers, but it's one you’d probably prefer to skip.
Most people use the terms "left-hand drive" and "driving on the left" interchangeably. But if you’re a gearhead or a frequent flyer, you know they are polar opposites.
Basically, the list of countries with left hand drive (LHD) is a list of places where the steering wheel is on the left side of the car. These cars are built to drive on the right side of the road.
It’s a bit of a linguistic trap. If you’re looking for a list of countries where they drive on the left (like the UK or Australia), you’re actually looking for Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles. But since most of the world operates on LHD, let’s dig into who they are, why they do it, and the weird exceptions that make no sense at all.
The Global Map: Who Actually Uses Left Hand Drive?
About two-thirds of the world’s population lives in LHD countries. That’s a massive chunk. If you’re in the United States, Canada, or mainland Europe, you’re in LHD territory. You sit on the left, you shift gears with your right hand, and you stay on the right side of the yellow line.
North and South America
Almost the entire Western Hemisphere is Team LHD.
- USA and Canada: These are the big ones. Canada actually had some provinces that drove on the left until the 1920s, but they switched to match the US for easier trade.
- Mexico and Central America: Every single country here is LHD.
- South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru—they all drive on the right with LHD cars.
- The Oddballs: Guyana and Suriname. They are the only two on the South American mainland that stick to the left side of the road (RHD). If you’re driving across the border from Brazil into Guyana, things get real weird, real fast.
Europe (The Mainland Powerhouse)
If you land in France, Germany, or Italy, you’re in LHD heaven.
- The Big Names: France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, and the Netherlands.
- The "Switchers": Sweden is the most famous example here. Until 1967, they drove on the left. They had a day called Dagen H (H-Day) where the entire country literally swapped sides of the road at 5:00 AM.
- The Islands: This is where Europe gets confusing. The UK, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus are not LHD countries. They drive on the left.
Asia and Africa
This is where the map looks like a patchwork quilt.
- China: Massive LHD market. However, Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left because of their colonial history.
- Vietnam and Cambodia: They drive on the right (LHD).
- Africa: It’s mostly split by who colonized whom. French colonies (like Senegal, Mali, and Algeria) are LHD. Former British colonies (like South Africa and Kenya) are usually RHD.
Why Do We Even Have This Split?
It sounds like a joke, but it actually comes down to swords and whips.
🔗 Read more: Images of Torch Lake: Why the Caribbean of the North Looks Different in Person
Back in the day, most people were right-handed. In feudal Europe, you rode your horse on the left side of the path. Why? So your right hand—your sword hand—was closer to anyone coming at you from the opposite direction. If they were a jerk, you could draw your sword and defend yourself.
The French changed things up. Some say Napoleon was left-handed and wanted to switch sides for a tactical advantage. Others say it was a revolutionary "down with the aristocracy" move to stop doing what the kings did. Either way, France started driving on the right, and as Napoleon conquered Europe, he forced everyone else to do it too.
Meanwhile, in America, teamsters drove big freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The driver didn't have a seat; he sat on the rear-left horse so he could use his right hand to whip the whole team. Because he was on the left, he wanted people to pass him on his left side so he could look down and make sure his wheels didn't hit theirs. That meant staying on the right side of the road.
When Henry Ford mass-produced the Model T, he put the steering wheel on the left side. Since that car became the global standard, the LHD setup conquered most of the planet.
List of Major Left Hand Drive (LHD) Countries
| Region | Major LHD Countries (Drive on the Right) |
|---|---|
| North America | USA, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica |
| Europe | France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Greece |
| Asia | China, South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel |
| Africa | Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Senegal |
| South America | Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru |
The "Samoa Switch": A Modern Anomaly
You’d think the list of countries with left hand drive would be set in stone by now. It’s not.
In 2009, Samoa actually switched from driving on the right to driving on the left. They did it because they wanted to import cheaper cars from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. It was a logistical nightmare. The government had to declare a two-day public holiday to get everyone used to it.
Even now, some countries in Africa, like Rwanda and Burundi, have considered switching to RHD to better align with their neighbors in the East African Community.
Practical Insights for the LHD Traveler
If you’re used to LHD and you’re heading to a RHD country (or vice versa), here is the reality check you need:
- The Windshield Wiper Trap: In a RHD car, the blinker and wiper stalks are often swapped. You’ll try to signal a turn and end up scrubbing your dry windshield in bright sunlight. You'll look like a tourist. It's okay.
- Roundabouts are Evil: If you’re in a RHD country, you go clockwise. In a LHD country, you go counter-clockwise. Honestly, just follow the car in front of you. If there is no car in front of you, pray.
- The "Hug the Line" Habit: When you switch sides, your brain wants to keep the driver's side near the center line. If you're in a RHD car for the first time, you will drift toward the curb constantly. Your passenger will scream. Listen to them.
- The Pedestrian Peril: This is actually the most dangerous part. You’ll look "the wrong way" before stepping off the curb. Look both ways. Then look again.
What You Should Do Next
If you're planning a trip, don't just check the list of countries with left hand drive; check the specific rental laws. Some countries, like Japan, have very strict rules about International Driving Permits (IDP). If you show up with just your US or EU license, you aren't getting a car.
Also, if you're importing a car, remember that LHD cars in RHD countries (like a Ford Mustang in London) have massive blind spots when overtaking. Most people find it's better to just buy what the locals drive.
- Download a GPS app that has lane guidance; it's a lifesaver for complex intersections in a "backwards" country.
- Practice in a parking lot for 20 minutes before hitting the highway.
- Get the extra insurance. Just do it.