The first time you turn out of the airport rental lot onto the "wrong" side of the road is a moment every traveller remembers. Around 75 countries drive on the left — including some of the world's most popular road-trip destinations — and with a little preparation the switch is far easier than it looks.
Where you'll drive on the left
Left-side driving covers most of the former British sphere plus a few surprises. The destinations travellers ask about most: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Cyprus, Malta and Mauritius.
The golden rules
The driver sits nearest the centre line. If the road centre is on your left shoulder, something is wrong. This one check catches almost every lapse.
Roundabouts go clockwise. Give way to traffic coming from your right, and exit to your left. Take one slowly and the pattern locks in fast.
Look right first. At junctions and when stepping off a kerb, the nearest traffic comes from the right — the opposite of what your instincts expect.
Overtake on the right. The fast lane is the right-hand lane; keep left unless overtaking.
Rental car tips that actually help
Book an automatic. Shifting gears with your left hand while managing mirrored traffic is the single biggest source of stress — an automatic removes it. In Japan and Australia automatics are standard anyway; in the UK and Ireland you must request one.
Start small. Don't collect the car in a city centre at rush hour. Pick it up at the airport, drive a quiet route first, and save Bangkok or central London traffic for day three.
Use the sat-nav voice. Hearing "take the second exit" is one less thing to translate while your brain is busy mirroring the road.
The documents left-driving countries expect
Left-side destinations are also some of the strictest on paperwork. Japan refuses rentals without a recognized licence translation, Thailand police checkpoints routinely ask for one, and rental desks in Mauritius and South Africa expect your licence in English or accompanied by an IDP. Carry three things: your national licence, your International Driving Permit, and your passport.
Get the paperwork done in minutes
The driving adjustment takes a day; the paperwork takes minutes. Choose a plan, upload your licence details and photo, and your digital IDP arrives by email — ready before you've finished packing. Get your IDP here →
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Which popular destinations drive on the left?
About 75 countries and territories drive on the left, including the UK, Ireland, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Cyprus, Malta and Mauritius.
Do I need a special licence to drive on the left?
No special licence exists for left-side driving. You need your valid national licence, and in most left-driving countries — such as Japan, Thailand and Mauritius — an International Driving Permit as the recognized translation of your licence.
Is it hard to adjust to driving on the left?
Most drivers adapt within a day or two. The highest-risk moments are pulling out of car parks, quiet junctions and the first roundabout — situations where old habits take over. Renting an automatic removes the left-hand gear-shift problem entirely.