Right-hand vs Left-hand Drive: What UK Drivers Need to Know

In simple terms, a right-hand drive (RHD) car has the driver’s seat and steering wheel on the right side, while a left-hand drive (LHD) car has them on the left . These correspond to which side of the road traffic uses.  In left-driving countries (like the UK, Ireland, Australia, Japan), traffic keeps left and cars are RHD.  In right-driving countries (most of Europe, North America, China, etc.), traffic keeps right and cars are LHD . For example, in the UK drivers sit on the right and the car is RHD; in France drivers sit on the left and the car is LHD.

Which countries drive on the left?

Globally, only about one-third of people live in left-driving countries .  Roughly 54 countries (and a handful of territories) keep left, including the UK (and its Crown dependencies), Ireland, Cyprus and Malta in Europe .  Elsewhere, major left-driving nations include Australia and New Zealand; Japan; India, Pakistan and much of south/east Asia; South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and several African countries; plus many Caribbean and Pacific islands .  Most of the world drives on the right (red on the map), using LHD vehicles.  Many left-driving countries were former British colonies, reflecting history: Britain made left-side travel law in 1835 and its empire followed suit .  (By contrast, Napoleon had his armies drive on the right in Europe , and later the Ford Model T’s left-side steering made right-side driving the global norm .)

• Europe: Only the UK (and Isle of Man/Channel Islands), Ireland, Cyprus and Malta drive on the left ; every other European country drives on the right with LHD cars.
• Asia & Oceania: Japan, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, East Timor and several others drive on the left .  Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific islands do too.
• Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and some others drive on the left .
• Americas: Almost all mainland Americas drive on the right. Exceptions are many Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, etc.) and some overseas territories (Falklands, Bermuda) which drive on the left .

The terms left-hand drive vs right-hand drive simply mirror these rules: “which countries drive on the left” refers to those places where cars are RHD, and vice versa.  In practice, an RHD car in the UK or Australia is normal, whereas that same car would feel “back-to-front” in France or the US, and vice versa.

Driving and import rules in the UK

Is a left-hand drive car legal in the UK?  Yes – the law allows LHD vehicles on British roads .  Visitors can use a foreign-plated LHD car here for up to 6 months in a year without UK registration . (You must be a visitor, and the car must be taxed in its home country.)  If you move to the UK or stay longer, you must register and tax the vehicle in the UK .  This means getting a UK log book (V5C), number plates, an MOT test and paying any VAT/duty as required.  Any imported car (LHD or RHD) must meet UK vehicle standards. In particular, a left-hand drive car imported from the EU now needs a “GB conversion” Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificate to show it complies with British regulations .  (UK drivers importing from outside the EU also use IVA or MSVA.)

• Temporary import: If you visit Britain, you can drive your foreign (LHD or RHD) car here for up to 6 months in a year without registering it .  If you become a resident or exceed 6 months, you must register it.
• Permanent import: When you bring in a car to stay, follow the GOV.UK steps: declare the import, pay VAT/customs if needed, then register with DVLA.  If the car is LHD and was EU-registered, you’ll need the IVA GB conversion certificate . You’ll also need proof of ID, valid UK insurance, and an MOT certificate.
• Headlights: LHD headlights are aimed differently, so UK law requires adjustment. If you drive your UK car (RHD) in Europe, use headlamp converters; conversely, if you import an LHD car to the UK, its lamps should meet UK standards.  In fact, driving a UK-spec car abroad without converters can be illegal – you must avoid dazzling oncoming traffic .
• Insurance: No special “LHD” policy is needed . Any UK insurer can cover an imported car (LHD or RHD), though premiums may be higher for unusual or costly-to-replace models.  Be sure to tell the insurer the car’s handedness and origin.

Overall, UK regulations are flexible but require paperwork.  For example, the Finance Act and MOT rules treat imported LHD cars just like any other import, except for the extra IVA step .  The DVLA and VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency) have guidance on this.  (As an aside, since 2021 the UK licence rules changed for EU licences, so if you move you may need to exchange or re-test, but that’s a separate issue.)

Practical differences on the road

Driving a car designed for the opposite side can feel odd. A few key differences and habits are worth noting:

• Visibility and overtaking: In a left-driving country (UK) an RHD car puts the driver on the road centre, making overtaking easier. In contrast, driving a LHD car in the UK puts you near the pavement, and you may see the curb better than the middle of the road.  Your view of oncoming traffic is more limited .  Drivers in LHD cars should be extra cautious. It’s wise to leave more space when overtaking or changing lanes, and even ask a passenger to help spot clear road . (AA advice for first-timers in a foreign car is to allow extra time, take breaks and have an alert passenger to avoid “automatic” lane slip .)  The reverse applies in a right-driving country: UK drivers might find overtaking tricky at first because their steering position is away from the centre line.
• Roundabouts and turns: In the UK you enter roundabouts clockwise and give way to traffic from the right . In a right-driving country, roundabouts go the other way.  Likewise, at cross-roads a UK driver looks right first, whereas on the Continent drivers look left first at a junction.  A common tip is to consciously glance twice at the “wrong” side when pulling out – over-focusing one way can lead to mistakes.  In general, extra caution is advised on turns and roundabouts when you switch sides .
• Motorway lanes: UK motorways use the leftmost lane as the “normal” lane and the rightmost for overtaking . In many other countries it’s the opposite (fast traffic on the left, slow on the right).  It’s easy to mix this up: if you drive in Europe, remember to keep right unless overtaking. In the UK, keep left unless passing.
• Signage and signs: Road signs and markings are designed with the driver’s viewpoint in mind. For example, in the UK distance markers and signs face left-side drivers.  In right-driving countries they’re on the opposite side of the road or reversed orientation.  When switching sides, just follow the traffic flow and standard practice: use the correct mirrors for passing (in the UK an RHD driver checks the right mirror, a LHD driver in Europe checks the left mirror) and always use the hand signals and lights appropriate to your side.
• Miscellaneous: Simple things like where you sit affect parking and tolls.  In a RHD car the driver opens the door toward oncoming traffic in a left-driving country, which is normal here. In an LHD car in the UK, remember your door swings into the passing lane.  Also, speed units differ: the UK uses mph on speed limits, while continental Europe uses km/h – keep an eye on the sign differences when you drive abroad.

These practical differences are learnable. The key is to be conscious of the side you should be on, follow local drivers, and maybe drive more slowly at first. Many driving instructors suggest taking a short practice drive on quiet roads or even having a passenger spot for you in the early trips abroad .  One tip: consider being a passenger or using a local taxi ride first to see the road layout before you drive. This “ride along” technique helps you internalise lane discipline .

Pros and cons of RHD vs LHD

• Matching local traffic: The main advantage of either system is simply if it matches the country. RHD cars in left-driving places (UK, Australia, Japan) give the driver better visibility toward the road centre and align with local norms . Likewise, LHD is ideal for right-driving countries. Driving a car with the wheel on the “wrong” side can make parking, overtaking and judging gaps harder. In a LHD car on UK roads, for example, you may have to lean forward at junctions to see past oncoming traffic.  If you plan to live or commute in a particular country, using the “correct” side is a big practical plus.
• Availability and cost: LHD cars dominate worldwide, so they are usually easier and cheaper to buy globally. RHD cars are fewer; in Britain this means some models cost more (they’re less common) . In fact, a quoted study (AA/1969) found a slight safety edge to left-side driving (right-handed drivers see better) – but another con noted by experts is cost: “fewer cars are made with UK drivers in mind, which means they tend to be more expensive. It’s one reason we tend to pay more for our cars than mainland Europe does” .  On the other hand, having a foreign (LHD) car in the UK can be a niche advantage – rare sports or luxury models are often LHD-only and can be prized by enthusiasts.
• Import and resale: A car built for one market may be harder to sell in another. For instance, RHD classics or 4x4s might not attract buyers in continental Europe. Likewise, a UK-used RHD car usually isn’t sold in Europe unless the buyer plans to ship it back or keep it in Britain.  In general, your resale value is best in the country matching your car’s type.  Insurance and parts availability also follow the majority: parts for RHD cars in the UK are plentiful, while LHD parts can cost more or take time to import.
• Conversion difficulties: It’s possible to convert a car from LHD to RHD (or vice versa), but this is extremely expensive and usually only done for rare classics. For most people, if you have the “wrong” side, you simply cope or choose a different car. Legally, importing a car permanently effectively locks in its side of steering – you’d need a new IVA approval to switch it.
• Driving experience: Many drivers find one style more natural. Some experts say most people (right-eye-dominant) are slightly more comfortable driving on the left side , but this is minor. In practice, whether you “prefer” RHD or LHD often comes down to what you grew up with. The comfort of having the passenger seat next to the curb (for British drivers) or on the roadside (for Americans) can be a factor.

Tips for switching sides or moving abroad

• Practice carefully: If you’re UK-based learning to drive in Europe (LHD) or vice versa, consider practising in a quiet area first. Rent a small car or use a simulator.  Drive slower than usual until you’re confident.
• Be mindful of lane position: Always keep your vehicle aligned correctly. A useful trick is to pick a point on the horizon or road markings and make sure it stays in the same relative position on your windshield – this helps prevent drifting. If driving an LHD car in the UK, focus on staying well left of centre.
• Use an alert passenger: Especially when overtaking or at junctions, having someone else look for oncoming traffic can keep you safe.  As AA advice puts it, travel with a passenger who can call out hazards if you “lapse into autopilot” on the wrong side .
• Headlights and gear: If you import an LHD car to the UK (or drive an RHD car abroad), make sure to adjust the headlights. (In the UK you’d aim them differently for left-hand traffic.) Small beam converters are inexpensive and simple to apply . Also practise using controls: for example, if you’re in a UK car and fly abroad, remember your indicators and wipers might be on the opposite stalk.
• Follow local customs: Observe how locals drive and copy them. On roundabouts and at junctions, mimic local behaviour. Use road lanes as the other drivers do (e.g. only use the far right lane on a UK motorway to overtake ).
• Check documents: If moving countries, ensure your licence and insurance are valid. UK drivers now don’t need a green card for EU travel, but you do need a “UK” sticker or plates for continental number plates .  Make sure your insurance covers you abroad.
• Be patient: Going from left to right (or vice versa) takes a day or two of adjustment.  Take it easy on the first few drives. If possible, practise in a rental car abroad, or on a short ferry trip, before tackling a long journey.

In summary, the most important rule is to drive on the correct side – the rest are simply adjustments. Whether you have an LHD or RHD car, knowing the rules and taking extra care will keep you safe and legal. With planning (and maybe a bit of headlight tweaking!), you can drive smoothly whether you’re in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

Sources: Authoritative guidance from UK government and motoring experts has been used throughout (e.g. GOV.UK on vehicle import rules , RAC/AA advice on driving abroad ), along with recent motoring publications .