You’re sitting in the passenger seat of a taxi in London, looking out the window, and for a split second, your heart stops. The car is turning right, across traffic, and your brain screams that you’re about to have a head-on collision. But you aren’t. Everything is fine. You've just entered the world of countries that drive on the left side, a club that includes about a third of the global population.
It feels weird.
For Americans or Europeans, it’s a total sensory override. Most of the world—roughly 65%—sticks to the right. But that remaining 35% isn't just a random collection of rebels. It's a massive, interconnected map of history, stubbornness, and practical logistics. From the high-tech streets of Tokyo to the dusty outback of Australia, left-hand traffic (LHT) is the law of the land for over 75 countries and territories.
The Sword-Fighting Reason We Stay Left
Why do we do this? Honestly, it’s all about not getting stabbed.
Back in the day, when everyone was riding horses, you wanted your right hand free. Most people are right-handed. If you’re trotting down a narrow dirt path in medieval England and an unsavory character comes toward you, you want your sword hand—your right hand—between you and them. If you both stay to the left, your weapon arms are closest to each other. It’s basic self-defense.
The Romans did it. Archaeologists found tracks at a Roman quarry in Norfolk that suggest the heavy carts were leaving on the left to avoid incoming traffic. It was the standard.
Then came Napoleon.
Napoleon Bonaparte was left-handed. He found it much more comfortable to ride on the right side of the road so his sword arm was ready for anyone coming at him from the other direction. Because he conquered half of Europe, he forced his "right-hand" rule on everyone he stepped over. This is why France, Germany, and Russia drive on the right. Britain, however, never fell to Napoleon. They kept their swords on the right and their horses on the left. They exported that rule to every corner of the British Empire.
That’s the core reason why countries that drive on the left side are largely former British colonies, but there are some fascinating exceptions that have nothing to do with the Queen.
Japan: The Samurai Connection
Japan was never part of the British Empire. So why are they on the left? It’s the samurai.
Just like the knights in Europe, samurai wore their swords (katanas) on their left side so they could draw them quickly with their right hand. If two samurai walked past each other on the right, their scabbards would clank together. This was apparently a huge insult and a great way to start a duel you didn't want. To keep the peace, they walked on the left.
When Japan started building its first railway system in the late 1800s, they needed help. They asked the British to help design it. Since the British built the tracks for left-hand running, the cars followed suit, and eventually, the 1924 law made it official for everyone.
The Great Swaps: When Countries Flipped
Switching sides is a nightmare. Imagine telling 10 million people that at 5:00 AM on a Sunday, they all have to cross the yellow line and hope for the best.
Sweden actually did this.
It was called Dagen H (H-Day), on September 3, 1967. Sweden was one of the few countries that drive on the left side in mainland Europe, which caused chaos because all their neighbors—Norway and Finland—were on the right. People were constantly crashing when they crossed the borders.
The government spent a fortune. They had to flip every traffic light, every bus stop, and every one-way street sign in the country. They even had to buy new buses with doors on the right side. Surprisingly, there weren't many deaths on the first day. Everyone was so terrified of crashing that they drove like grandmothers.
Samoa did the opposite in 2009. They were driving on the right but realized most of their cars were being imported from Australia and New Zealand. It's way cheaper to buy a used car from Brisbane than it is to ship one from Los Angeles. So, the Prime Minister told everyone to move to the left. People protested. They thought it would be carnage. It wasn't. It just took a lot of new paint.
The Island Logic
Most left-side drivers today are island nations. Think about it: Australia, New Zealand, Barbados, Jamaica, Malta, Cyprus, and the UK.
Islands are isolated. They don't have to worry about a confusing border crossing where the road suddenly spirals into a "traffic flip" bridge. When you share a land border, the pressure to conform is massive. This is why many African nations that were once British colonies, like Nigeria or Ghana, switched to the right. They wanted to match their neighbors for trade.
But down south, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe all stay on the left. It’s a massive block of LHT territory. If you’re planning a road trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, you’re staying on the left the whole way.
Why Some Cars Have the Steering Wheel on the "Wrong" Side
If you’re in one of the countries that drive on the left side, the steering wheel is almost always on the right side of the car (RHD).
This is for visibility.
When you’re overtaking a slow truck on a two-lane road, you want your head as close to the center of the road as possible. If you’re driving a left-hand drive (LHD) American car in London, you can't see past the truck without pulling the entire car into the oncoming lane. It’s dangerous.
However, in places like the Bahamas or the US Virgin Islands, it’s a mess. They drive on the left, but because they are so close to the United States, almost all their cars are American imports with the steering wheel on the left. You’re sitting on the "outside" of the road. It makes passing people a game of Russian Roulette.
Common Myths About Left-Side Driving
People love to say that left-side driving is "safer" because the dominant eye (usually the right eye) is closer to the oncoming traffic. There isn't much hard data to prove this makes a statistical difference in crashes.
Another myth: "Only a few tiny places drive on the left."
Wrong.
India drives on the left. Indonesia drives on the left. Pakistan drives on the left. Thailand drives on the left. We are talking about billions of people. If you count by population, the "lefties" are a massive global force.
A Practical List for Travelers
If you are planning to rent a car, you need to know where you stand. Here are the major hubs where you’ll be shifting gears with your left hand:
- Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Malta, Cyprus.
- Asia: India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands.
- Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi.
- Americas/Caribbean: Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Bermuda.
Surprising Logistics: The "Flip" Points
What happens when a road goes from a right-hand country to a left-hand country?
The Lotus Bridge between Macau (left) and Mainland China (right) is a work of art. It’s a twisted loop that physically weaves the lanes over and under each other so drivers end up on the correct side without stopping.
The border between Thailand (left) and Laos (right) is a bit more chaotic. Usually, there’s just a traffic light or a simple crossover point. You just have to pay attention. If you’re zoned out listening to a podcast, you might find yourself staring at the grill of a semi-truck.
Survival Tips for Your First Time Driving on the Left
If you've spent your whole life on the right, driving in countries that drive on the left side is a mental workout. It’s not the straight roads that get you. It’s the turns.
- The "Hug the Curb" Rule: When you turn left, it’s a tight turn into the near lane. When you turn right, it’s a wide turn across traffic. Repeat this like a mantra.
- Roundabouts are Clockwise: This is the big one. In the US or France, you look left and enter to the right. In the UK or Australia, you look right and enter to the left. If you mess this up, you’re going against the grain of three lanes of traffic.
- The Windshield Wiper Mistake: In a right-hand drive car, the turn signal and windshield wipers are often swapped. You will try to signal a turn and end up scrubbing a dry windshield while everyone looks at you like a tourist. It’s a rite of passage.
- Follow the Leader: If there is a car in front of you, just do what they do. The real danger is early in the morning on an empty road when your muscle memory takes over and you drift to the right side out of habit.
Is the World Going to Harmonize?
Probably not.
The cost of switching is just too high now. Think about the billions of dollars in infrastructure, the millions of cars, and the public confusion. While the "continental" trend favored the right side during the 20th century, the current map of countries that drive on the left side is pretty stable. Japan isn't changing. The UK isn't changing. India isn't changing.
👉 See also: Countries That Drive on the Right Side of the Road: Why Most of Us Left the Left Behind
We are stuck with two different ways of seeing the road. And honestly? That's fine. It adds a little bit of flavor to travel. It reminds you that you're somewhere else.
Next Steps for Your Journey
If you're heading to a left-side country soon, don't just rely on GPS. Before you leave the rental car lot, sit in the car for five minutes. Figure out where the gear shift is. Practice reaching for the seatbelt with your right hand instead of your left.
Check the specific local laws for the country you're visiting. For instance, in some parts of the Caribbean, "Left-hand traffic" is the rule, but "Right-hand drive" vehicles are banned or restricted. Always verify if your domestic driver's license is enough or if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Most importantly, keep your eyes on the car in front of you and remember: the driver should always be toward the center of the road.