Explo

Driving side

Which side of the road does each country drive on?

56 countries and territories drive on the left. The other 143 drive on the right.

Countries that drive on the left

Africa 14

Asia 16

Europe 4

North America 10

Oceania 10

South America 2

Questions

How many countries drive on the left?

56 of the 199 countries and territories in our data, about one in four. Asia has the most.

Which countries in Europe drive on the left?

Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. The rest of Europe drives on the right.

Why do some countries drive on the left?

Mostly history. Many places that drive on the left were once British territories, and a few, like Japan and Thailand, chose it for their own reasons. Most of the world switched to the right over the last two centuries.

Can I rent a car if I am used to the other side?

Usually yes, with your licence and often an International Driving Permit. Take the first drive slowly, away from big junctions, and remember roundabouts go the other way.

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Driving side from the hand-checked list in the Explo app. Some borders, like Hong Kong and mainland China, switch sides.