| By Chandraketu Tripathi | Updated April 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Around 78 countries and territories drive on the left side of the road — roughly 35% of the world by land area but representing about 2.5 billion people. As a UK driver, you naturally drive on the left. Knowing which countries share this will help you plan road trips abroad with confidence. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Verdict 2026 Countries driving on left: 78 countries and territories | Population covered: ~2.5 billion people | Notable left-hand countries: UK, Australia, Japan, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore | Switched most recently: Samoa (2009), Myanmar (2012) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Full List: Countries That Drive on the Left | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The following countries and territories drive on the left side of the road: | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Why Do Some Countries Drive on the Left? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The historical reason is largely feudal and military. In medieval Europe, most people were right-handed — riding on the left meant your right (sword) hand was closest to oncoming traffic and potential threats. This convention became law in Britain in 1835 under the Highway Act. British colonial influence spread left-hand driving to large parts of the world. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The US, France and most of continental Europe drive on the right, largely due to Napoleonic influence — Napoleon was left-handed and preferred right-side travel, and French military convention spread this across Europe. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Notable Countries That Drive on the Right Despite British History | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Countries That Have Switched Recently | ||||||||||||||||||||
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What UK Drivers Need to Know When Driving Abroad | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Verdict 2026 78 countries and territories drive on the left, including the UK, Australia, Japan, India, South Africa and most of the Caribbean. When driving in EU countries such as France, Spain and Germany, you drive on the right. Ireland, Cyprus and Malta drive on the left like the UK. Always check if you need an International Driving Permit and headlight beam deflectors before driving your UK car abroad. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow many countries drive on the left? Approximately 78 countries and territories drive on the left, representing around 35% of the world’s land area and approximately 2.5 billion people. Does Ireland drive on the left? Yes. Ireland drives on the left, the same as the UK. UK drivers crossing to Ireland do not need to adjust. Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Europe? For EU countries, your UK driving licence is usually sufficient. Some non-EU countries require an IDP. Check GOV.UK foreign travel advice for your specific destination before travelling. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sources: GOV.UK foreign travel advice, World Standards Organisation, RAC international driving guide. April 2026. |
Countries That Drive on the Left 2026: Full List and Why They Do It
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