Right-hand drive, commonly abbreviated as RHD, means the steering wheel and primary driver controls are positioned on the right side of the vehicle's cabin. You'll find this setup standard in countries where traffic moves on the left side of the road, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, India, and South Africa.
While left-hand drive (LHD) cars dominate North America and continental Europe, RHD vehicles have a massive global footprint. Owning or driving one requires adjusting your spatial awareness, mastering opposite-hand gear shifting, and understanding unique import regulations.
Why Some Countries Use Right-Hand Drive
Driving history dates back long before automobiles existed. In feudal times, travelers passed each other on the left side of the road. Since most people are right-handed, keeping to the left kept your sword hand free to defend against potential highway bandits or approaching threats.
When railways and early motor vehicles emerged, nations codified these historical travel paths into law. Britain adopted left-side driving by law in the 1835 Highway Act, cementing RHD configurations for British-built motor vehicles. As the British Empire expanded, its colonies and trade partners—including Australia, New Zealand, and India—adopted the same traffic flow and vehicle design.
Japan developed its left-side driving traditions independently during the Edo period, when samurai walked on the left to avoid brushing swords. When Japan industrialized its modern road network in the early 20th century, it naturally aligned with British vehicle standards.
Mechanical and Ergonomic Differences
Moving the steering wheel from left to right isn't just a matter of sliding a dashboard over. Manufacturers must completely mirror the internal architecture of the vehicle.
- Steering and Pedals: The steering rack, steering column, and pedal box (accelerator, brake, and clutch) shift to the right side. In manual transmission cars, your left hand operates the gear shifter while your right hand stays on the steering wheel.
- Dashboard Layout: Climate controls, infotainment screens, and glove compartments are re-engineered. However, many global car manufacturers keep instrument cluster layouts or hazard light positions identical to cut production costs.
- Windshield Wipers and Turn Signals: Wiper blades often sweep in the opposite direction to clear the driver's primary line of sight. Stalk controls for indicators and windshield wipers are sometimes reversed, causing frequent driver errors when signaling turns.
- Firewall Routing: Wiring harnesses, brake boosters, and HVAC blower motors must be routed through the opposite side of the engine bay.
According to the UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, vehicle conversions require precise alignment checks to ensure steering geometry remains safe and compliant.
Driving an RHD Car on Right-Side Roads
Driving an RHD vehicle in a country designed for LHD cars—like the United States or Canada—presents distinct visibility challenges.
Passing slower traffic on a two-lane road is the hardest maneuver. Because you sit on the right side of the car, you must pull almost entirely into the oncoming lane to check for clear road ahead before overtaking. Many RHD owners install periscope mirrors or lean far to the left to see around semi-trucks.
Drive-thru windows, toll booths, and parking garage ticket machines also require awkward stretching. You'll either need a passenger to handle payments or find yourself unbuckling your seatbelt to reach the window. On the bright side, parallel parking on right-side curbs is exceptionally easy because you can look directly down at the curb line.
Importing and Owning an RHD Vehicle
Many automotive enthusiasts import RHD cars from Japan—known as Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles—because iconic sports cars like the Nissan Skyline GT-R or Toyota Supra were built exclusively in RHD configurations.
Before purchasing an import, you must check local import laws. In the United States, federal law permits importing any motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old without meeting modern crash-test and emissions standards, under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Canada has a similar 15-year rule.
Insurance costs can run higher for RHD imports. Insurance providers often view them as specialty vehicles or worry about parts availability after a collision. Sourcing body panels, specialized suspension components, and engine parts often requires ordering directly from overseas suppliers, leading to longer repair wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you convert an RHD car to LHD?
Yes, but it's rarely financially practical. Converting a vehicle requires replacing the dashboard, steering rack, firewall modifications, and rewiring the electrical harness. For most enthusiast cars, a conversion costs thousands of dollars and destroys the vehicle's collector value.
Do RHD cars have manual transmissions?
Many RHD cars feature manual transmissions, especially JDM sports cars and European hatchbacks. However, modern RHD vehicles are widely available with automatic transmissions as well.
Is it hard to learn to drive an RHD car?
Most drivers adapt within a few hours. The hardest adjustment is spatial awareness on the road and learning to shift gears with your left hand. Empty parking lots offer the safest environment to practice before heading into heavy traffic.
Are RHD cars legal to drive everywhere?
Most countries permit driving RHD vehicles, provided they are properly registered, insured, and meet local lighting and safety standards. However, a few nations ban registering locally owned RHD vehicles to prevent visibility hazards on domestic roads.
