Driving Side by Country: Left or Right?
Driving side is one of those facts you only need once — and then you really need it. Check before you hire a car, and give yourself extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
What is the Driving Side by Country?
Choose a country and the tool tells you which side of the road its traffic uses. About a third of the world drives on the left, including the UK, Japan, Australia, India, and Pakistan, while most of Europe and the Americas drive on the right. Check before hiring a car abroad, since the habit is hard to unlearn at a roundabout.
How to use it
- Choose a country.
- Click Show Driving Side.
- Note the side before you hire a car or cross a road there.
Worked example
The United Kingdom drives on the left.
Why do some countries drive on the left?
Largely history: left-hand traffic traces back to horse and cart customs, kept by Britain and the countries it influenced.
Frequently asked questions
Does the driver sit on the opposite side?
Usually, yes: in left-traffic countries the driver typically sits on the right, and vice versa.
Should I verify before travelling?
Yes. This is a major-country reference; border regions and territories can occasionally differ.