Countries that drive on the left

Planning to drive abroad? In the UK we drive on the left, but most of the world doesn’t. Here's what you need to know if you haven’t driven on the left hand side of the road before.

Which countries drive on the left?

There's nothing quite like a good old-fashioned road trip adventure. But before you set off, it's vital to understand the differences between driving in the UK and abroad.

One of the biggest differences? Which side of the road you're driving on.

So, what countries drive on the left side of the road? These left-side driving countries span every inhabited continent, from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia. To make things easier, we've broken them down by region below:

Let's take a closer look at each region:

Across Europe, countries and regions driving on the left include:

• Channel Islands
• Cyprus
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Malta
• United Kingdom

Cyprus is a notable case! Both the Republic of Cyprus and Turkish-administered Northern Cyprus drive on the left, despite the political division between them. Both sides kept the convention inherited from British colonial rule. Cyprus, Malta and Ireland are, in fact, the only three EU member states that drive on the left.

Top tip: Even if you're travelling to a left-driving country, always double-check local signage, road rules, and speed limits, as they can differ from what you're used to in the UK.

In Africa, the following countries drive on the left:

• Botswana
• Eswatini
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Kenya

In the Americas, the following countries and islands drive on the left:

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Falkland Islands
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Montserrat
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• US Virgin Islands

Guyana and Suriname are the only left-driving countries in South America. The rest of the continent drives on the right.

In Asia, the following countries drive on the left:

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• East Timor
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Macau
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand

In Oceania, the following countries and regions drive on the left:

• Australia (including external territories)
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• New Zealand (including external territories)
• Niue
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu

Why do some countries drive on the left?

The answer goes back hundreds of years.

Most of the other countries around the world driving on the left are former British colonies. These include the likes of Australia, India, South Africa and the Caribbean nations.

Historically, left-side travel was the norm so knights could keep their right hand free for sword fighting.

As the British Empire expanded, so did this custom, and many former colonies kept the rule even after gaining independence.

On the flip side, Napoleon encouraged right-hand travel driving across continental Europe. That’s why most of mainland Europe, the US, and much of the world now drive on the right-hand side.

Sweden made the most famous switch, on 3 September 1967, 'Dagen H'. It moved from left to right, largely to match its right-driving Nordic neighbours (Norway, Finland, Denmark) and fix a growing inconsistency: most cars on Swedish roads were already left-hand-drive imports.

Canada's switch was more gradual. Ontario and Quebec always drove on the right, but British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces drove on the left until the 1920s, switching one by one to align with the US. Newfoundland held out on the left until 1947, before joining Canada in 1949.

So why does the UK drive on the left? It comes down to that same mediaeval custom. Britain never had a Napoleon-style push to standardise on the right, the convention simply stuck.

So in short, it’s all a bit historical.

Do I need a UK sticker when driving abroad?

Yes - government advice states that you should display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your car if your number plate has:

• A GB identifier with the Union flag
• A Euro symbol
• A national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
• Numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier

These UK stickers replaced the old GB ones.

However, if your number plate already shows a UK identifier with a Union flag, you're good to go - no extra sticker is needed.

Exceptions apply, though. If you're driving in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you need to display a UK sticker regardless of what's on your number plate.

Don't display it, and you could face fines; the penalties depend on the country you're visiting. You may also need an international driving permit depending on where you're travelling, so it's worth checking before you go.

Good news - you don't need a UK sticker if you're driving in Ireland.

Are there more countries that drive on the right?

Yes. Drivers in the UK and Ireland are accustomed to driving on the left-hand side of the road. But in reality only 35% of the world's population do so.

That means nearly three-quarters of the world are driving on the right. That includes most of Europe, the Americas, China, and Russia.

But what side of the road does China drive on? China is a good example of a huge right-driving nation, but there are exceptions. Hong Kong and Macau, both under Chinese sovereignty, still drive on the left. This is a holdover from British and Portuguese rule.

So if you’re planning to drive abroad, chances are you’ll be switching sides, so it’s worth getting some guidance before you go.

Can I drive a left-hand drive car in the UK?

Yes, you can. It's perfectly legal to drive a left-hand drive.

There are a few things to keep in mind:

• You'll be sitting on the opposite side of the car
• Visibility can be tricky, especially when overtaking
• You'll sit closer to the pavement than the centre line
• Toll booths and drive-throughs might be awkward. You'll need to lean across or bring a passenger!

If you’re importing a car, it’ll also need to pass a UK vehicle approval test to ensure it’s roadworthy.

What are the challenges of switching sides?

For those used to right-hand driving, switching to the left can feel a bit alien at first.

Some common issues include:

• Struggling with roundabouts. Entering clockwise instead of anti-clockwise
• Turning into the wrong lane or misjudging right-hand turns
• Limited visibility when overtaking in a left-hand drive car
• Reaching for the gearstick with the wrong hand

With a bit of practice, many drivers adjust eventually. If you're hiring a car abroad, you might want to consider hiring a right-hand drive, as this may be better suited to the side of the road that you're on. Whichever you choose, it's worth checking your car hire excess insurance before you travel in case of any mishaps while you're adjusting.

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Does it cost more to insure a left-hand drive car in the UK?

It might. Left-hand drive cars are often imports, which means parts might cost more and repairs could take longer. This can push up the price of insurance.

Some insurers might also class them as higher risk due to visibility issues or unfamiliarity, especially if you've recently imported the vehicle.

But don’t panic, plenty of insurers cover left-hand drive cars. Just be sure to always shop around and compare. Not every insurer will charge more, but it's worth checking before you commit.

Frequently asked questions