Left Hand Drive v/s Right Hand Drive Vehicle

Each country have a uniform road traffic flow, either left-hand traffic (LHT) in which traffic keeps to the left side of the road, or right-hand traffic (RHT) in which traffic keeps to the right. There are countries which allow only RHT and mostly RHD vehicles. Japan automobile industry produce both RHD and LHD as many used cars from Japan are exported to almost all countries across the world. Used cars exporters from Japan arranges to convert RHD to LHD or vice-versa, as per the request of customers.



Vehicles are manufactured in left-hand drive (LHD) and right-hand drive (RHD) configuration, referring to the placement of the driving seat and controls within the vehicle. It just the change in driver seat position, paddles set-ups and the gear set-up that makes left hand drive and right hand drive vehicles different. Japan allows both hand drive vehicles, i.e. right-hand drive and left-hand drive on roads. Even though, vehicles in both RHD and LHD configuration are allowed in Japan, but most vehicles in Japan are right-hand drives. Sometimes for foreigners, LHD vehicles are allowed.

At first, traffic used to drove on the left side of the road. The first vehicle ever built was designed to be driven on the left-hand side of the road. But at present majority of traffic in the world drives on the right-hand side of the road. Around 66% of the world’s nations are right hand traffic countries and 34% are left-hand traffic countries.

In Right hand drive car the pedals set-up as gas & brake are to your left foot and the clutch is to your right foot. The gears are to your left. One uses left hand to change gears. The 1st is towards the upper left, second is down, third is up and to the right, etc. For reverse one need to pull the lever closer and then backward. In right-hand traffic, oncoming traffic and the driver’s wing mirror are handled by the predominantly weaker left eye.

Some instructions for Right hand drive traffic:

• All traffic is required to keep right unless overtaking.
• Oncoming traffic is seen coming from the left. Left-turning traffic must cross.

Oncoming traffic:

• Most traffic signs facing drivers/motorists are on the right side of the road.
• A right turn at a red light may be allowed after stopping.
• Traffic on roundabouts goes anticlockwise.
• Pedestrians crossing a two-way road look first for traffic from their left.
• On roads without a footpath pedestrians may be advised to walk on the left.
• The lane designated for normal driving and turning right is on the right.
• Most dual carriageway (divided highway) exits are on the right.

List of RHD Countries:
Kenya, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Mongolia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, United States, Vietnam, Switzerland, Burma, South Korea, France.

In left hand drive car the pedals set-up as gas & brake are to your right foot and the clutch is to your left foot. The gears are to your right. One uses right hand to change gears. The 1st is towards the upper left, second is down, third is up and to the right etc. For reverse one need to push the lever far away and then forward. In left-hand traffic, the predominantly better-performing right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver’s wing mirror. Some right hand drivers find this a bit hard when they try to drive a Left hand drive car.

Some instructions for Left hand drive traffic:

• All traffic is generally required to keep left unless overtaking.
• Oncoming traffic is seen coming from the right. Right-turning traffic must cross.

Oncoming traffic:

• Most traffic signs facing motorists are on the left side of the road.
• A left turn at a red light may be allowed after stopping. Traffic on roundabouts.

Goes clockwise:

• Pedestrians crossing a two-way road look first for traffic from their right.
• On roads without a footpath pedestrians may be advised to walk on the right.
• The lane designated for normal driving and turning left is on the left.
• Most dual carriageway (divided highway) exits are on the left.

List of LHD Countries:
Australia, Barbados, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Bhutan, Nepal, Guyana, Suriname South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago.