You’re sitting in the back of a taxi in London, staring out the window, and for a split second, your heart stops. You think you’re about to have a head-on collision because the driver is on the "wrong" side. Then you remember: oh, right. They do things differently here.
Most people think driving on the left is just a quirky British thing, but honestly, about a third of the world does it. If you're planning a massive road trip across the globe, knowing what countries drive on the left side is kinda essential unless you want to spend your entire vacation white-knuckling the steering wheel.
Why some countries drive on the left side (and why others don't)
Believe it or not, driving on the left used to be the global standard. Ancient Romans did it. Medieval knights did it. The reason was actually pretty violent: most people are right-handed.
If you’re riding a horse down a dusty path in the year 1300 and you see a stranger coming toward you, you want your sword hand (your right hand) between you and them. Keeping to the left made it way easier to draw your weapon if things got sketchy. Also, it prevented your scabbard from banging into people passing by.
So, what changed? Basically, Napoleon and big wagons.
Napoleon was left-handed, and he found it easier to attack from the right. He forced every country he conquered to switch sides. Meanwhile, in the U.S. and France, farmers started using huge wagons pulled by teams of horses. The driver usually sat on the left rear horse so he could use his right hand to whip the team. To make sure his wheels didn't clip the oncoming traffic, he had to pass on the left, which meant driving on the right side of the road.
💡 You might also like: Super 8 Fort Myers Florida: What to Honestly Expect Before You Book
The big list: Countries that still keep left in 2026
If you’re looking for a quick breakdown of where you’ll need to adjust your brain to "lefty" mode, here it is. It’s not just a few islands; it’s over 70 countries and territories.
Europe: The outliers
Europe is almost entirely right-hand traffic now, but a few island nations are holding out.
- United Kingdom: The OG left-siders.
- Ireland: They aren't changing anytime soon.
- Malta: Small island, big left-side energy.
- Cyprus: Another Mediterranean holdout.
Asia: A mixed bag
Asia has some of the biggest "lefty" populations on Earth.
- India: One of the most populated places where you’ll be driving on the left.
- Japan: They never were a British colony, but they chose the left side because British engineers helped build their first railways.
- Thailand: Never colonized, yet they still drive on the left.
- Indonesia & Malaysia: Both staunchly left-side.
- Pakistan, Bangladesh, & Sri Lanka: Following the old colonial standards.
Oceania: The Commonwealth strongholds
Basically, if you’re in this part of the world, you’re probably driving on the left.
- Australia: Everything is on the left here.
- New Zealand: Same deal as their neighbors.
- Fiji, Samoa, & Tonga: Most Pacific islands follow suit. Fun fact: Samoa actually switched from the right to the left in 2009 to make it cheaper to import cars from Australia.
Africa: The southern and eastern belt
- South Africa: The hub of left-side driving in Africa.
- Kenya, Tanzania, & Uganda: A continuous stretch of left-side roads.
- Zambia & Zimbabwe: Deeply rooted in the left-side tradition.
The Americas & Caribbean
While mainland North and South America are almost 100% right-side, the Caribbean is a different story.
📖 Related: Weather at Lake Charles Explained: Why It Is More Than Just Humidity
- Jamaica, Bahamas, & Barbados: Mostly left-side.
- Guyana & Suriname: The only two countries in South America that drive on the left.
What happens when you cross a border?
This is where things get truly wild. If you’re driving from Thailand (left) into Laos (right), or from Guyana (left) into Brazil (right), you don't just hope for the best.
Architects have designed "flipping" bridges and specialized intersections that look like a piece of braided hair from above. They literally weave the lanes over and under each other so that by the time you reach the other side, you’re in the correct lane without having to think about it. The Lotus Bridge between Macau and mainland China is a famous example of this kind of engineering wizardry.
Why don't we all just pick a side?
Honestly? It’s too expensive.
Sweden was the last major country to pull off a "big flip." On September 3, 1967—a day known as Dagen H—the entire country stopped at 4:50 AM, sat still for ten minutes, and then carefully crawled over to the right side of the road.
It was a logistical nightmare. They had to replace every single road sign, repaint every line, and reconfigure every bus entrance. Today, with the amount of infrastructure we have, the cost for a country like the UK to switch would be in the billions. Most governments would rather spend that money on literally anything else.
👉 See also: Entry Into Dominican Republic: What Most People Get Wrong
Helpful tips for the "wrong" side
If you find yourself renting a car in a left-side country, don't panic. You've got this.
- The "Driver in the Middle" Rule: Whether you're driving on the left or the right, the driver should always be closest to the center line of the road. If you find yourself next to the sidewalk, you’re probably in the wrong lane.
- Follow the Leader: In cities, just do what the car in front of you does.
- The Windshield Wiper Trap: In many right-hand drive cars, the blinker and wiper stalks are swapped. You will accidentally turn on your wipers when you mean to signal a turn. It’s basically a rite of passage.
Check your rental agreement before you go. Most rental agencies in these countries only stock right-hand drive vehicles (where the steering wheel is on the right side of the car). If you're nervous about shifting gears with your left hand, definitely book an automatic.
Moving forward with your travel plans
Before you fly out, take five minutes to look at a map of your specific destination's road layouts. If you're heading to a place like the US Virgin Islands, be extra careful—they drive on the left, but most of their cars are imported from the US mainland, meaning the steering wheels are on the "wrong" side for the road they're on. It’s a confusing mix that requires extra focus.
Your best bet is to spend your first hour in a new country driving in a low-traffic area to build that muscle memory. Once your brain clicks, it becomes second nature.
Safe travels on whichever side of the road you find yourself.
Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check Local Laws: Some countries like Japan have very strict "zero-tolerance" rules for even a tiny amount of alcohol while driving.
- Get an IDP: Even if you can drive on the left, many countries require an International Driving Permit alongside your standard license.
- Map Your Route: Identify "switch points" if you are crossing borders between left-side and right-side nations.