If you’re from the United Kingdom, you’re used to driving on the left side of the road. So it can feel strange to visit nearby countries where traffic flows on the right. It’s not a matter of chaos or confusion—there are simply two different driving systems in the world: left-hand driving and right-hand driving. Because of this, car manufacturers produce vehicles in two main configurations, with the steering wheel positioned either on the left or on the right depending on the market.
Left-hand drive (LHD) cars are far more common globally than right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles, which makes the differences between these two systems especially interesting. Many drivers ask the same questions: can you drive an RHD car in an LHD country? How much does it cost to import one? Is it possible to convert a car from LHD to RHD or vice versa?
In this article, we’ll answer all these questions, explore the differences between LHD and RHD cars, and provide a complete list of countries that drive on the left and on the right.
Registering the Vehicle (No Conversion)
Registering a (opposite steering wheel) vehicle without converting it is possible in some countries, but it comes with specific requirements and limitations.
The process usually includes import and customs clearance, proof of ownership, a local roadworthiness inspection, and compliance with emissions and safety regulations. Minor modifications are often needed, such as adjusting the headlights for the correct traffic direction, repositioning the rear fog light, and converting the speedometer to km/h if required.
However, driving a car with the steering wheel on the “wrong” side can feel unsafe, especially when overtaking or using toll booths, and some insurance companies may charge higher premiums. In addition, this option is not allowed in all countries and can reduce the vehicle’s resale value.
The typical cost ranges from €200 to €2,000, depending on taxes, inspections, and small modifications, and the process usually takes from a few days to a few weeks.
Converting the Vehicle (RHD ↔ LHD)
Converting a vehicle from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, or vice versa, is a complex mechanical process that requires major structural changes.
It typically involves replacing or redesigning the steering rack, modifying or replacing the dashboard, relocating the pedal box, rerouting brake and clutch lines, and altering the wiring loom. In most countries, certified engineering approval is mandatory, followed by a full post-conversion inspection to ensure the vehicle meets safety standards. While this option allows full legal compliance in many markets, it is very expensive and often difficult or impossible to reverse once completed.
Costs usually range from €1,500 to over €10,000, and for luxury or technically complex cars, the price can exceed €15,000. The entire process generally takes several weeks to several months, depending on the vehicle and the availability of parts.
Global market
RHD Vehicle Market
Current estimates value the global RHD sector at ≈ $380 billion annually, with about 65 % of RHD transactions in the used segment.
Over 1.2 million used RHD vehicles were traded internationally in 2023, with Japan contributing about 40 % of those exports
RHD cars like a Ford Focus generally have little to no market in Italy or similar LHD countries — unless it’s a rare collector model or brand-specific enthusiast demand
LHD Vehicle Market
The left-hand drive (LHD) auto market (incl. new & used) is much larger worldwide because it includes North America and Continental Europe, which together represent ~68 % of LHD sales.
LHD sales are projected to reach $780 billion by 2028 — significantly larger than the RHD segment
In some non-standard regions (LHD roads but lax enforcement), the share of RHD vehicles can be large:
- In Georgia, RHD imports surged such that by 2015, ≈ 25 % of registered cars were RHD.
- In Kyrgyzstan, about 127,383 out of ~992,000 registered vehicles were RHD (~13 %).
- In some eastern Russian regions near Japan, RHD cars can represent up to ~60 % of vehicles.
What this reveals:
Where regulations are weak or imports are cheap, RHD vehicles can form a significant share of total cars — sometimes double-digit percentages or higher.
Full list (left-hand side driving countries)
Europe
Cyprus, Ireland, Isle of Man (UK), Jersey (UK), Guernsey (UK), Malta, United Kingdom, Other Territories, Falkland Islands (UK), Gibraltar (UK), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (UK)
Africa
Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Oceania
Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Territories & Dependencies
Oceania
Christmas Island (Australia), Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia), Norfolk Island (Australia), Tokelau (New Zealand), Anguilla (UK), Bermuda (UK), British Virgin Islands (UK), Cayman Islands (UK), Montserrat (UK), Turks and Caicos Islands (UK)
Full list (right-hand side driving countries)
Europe
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Vatican City
Middle East
Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United, Arab Emirates, Yemen
Asia
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
Africa
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia
North America & Caribbean
Canada, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin (French part), Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Oceania
Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands
Territories & Dependencies
Europe
Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark)
Africa
Reunion (France), Mayotte (France)
Oceania
New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna
