Can Car Steering Wheels Be on the Right Side in China?

[FernandoMarie]

In China, car steering wheels cannot be on the right side. Here are the relevant details: 1. No registration permitted: For right-hand drive vehicles, the traffic management authorities of the public security organs will not process registration. 2. Scrapping procedure: For right-hand drive vehicles that have already obtained license plates and reached the scrapping standard, owners should proactively go to the traffic management authorities of the public security organs to complete the scrapping procedure. The traffic management authorities of the public security organs must revoke the license plates and driving license, enforce scrapping, and cannot delay. 3. No approval allowed: The traffic management authorities of the public security organs must not approve the conversion of right-hand drive vehicles to left-hand drive. For vehicles that are illegally converted from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, they will still be treated as right-hand drive vehicles.

[Wendy]

I hardly ever see right-hand drive cars on the road in China because traffic rules require driving on the right side, so standard steering wheels are on the left. Driving a right-hand drive car can be dangerous when overtaking, as your left-side visibility is blocked, making it hard to see oncoming traffic. Facilities like toll booths and parking lots are designed for left-hand drive vehicles, so right-hand drive drivers have to twist their bodies to take cards or pay, which is very inconvenient. Although I've heard that some imported vintage cars in Guangdong used to be right-hand drive, they've mostly been phased out now. Occasionally, you might spot right-hand drive cars from Hong Kong or Macau entering the mainland, but those are specially approved. For ordinary people, modifying or importing right-hand drive cars is definitely illegal and wouldn't pass annual inspections.

[CeciliaAnn]

Last time I visited Hong Kong, I noticed their steering wheels are on the right side, but here on the mainland, we drive on the right side of the road, so naturally, the steering wheel is on the left for safety. If you insist on driving a right-hand drive car, you'll face many daily hassles. For example, in an emergency where you need to swerve left, the driver's position being farther from the roadside means slower reaction time. Also, when entering a residential area to take a parking ticket, the barrier is positioned for the left window, so you have to lean out of the right window to reach it. Although theoretically, some imported engineering vehicles have specially approved right-hand drive designs, private cars don't stand a chance. The most practical issue is that right-hand drive cars are hard to sell in the second-hand market, and getting them licensed and insured is particularly troublesome.

[DaisyDella]

I just checked the information and found that China explicitly prohibits right-hand drive passenger vehicles. The reason is simple: in countries where traffic keeps to the right, it's logical to have the steering wheel on the left. The driver's central position allows for a clear view of oncoming traffic from both directions, especially when turning at intersections. Conversely, right-hand drive vehicles would obstruct the view, making it extremely dangerous. I heard that someone tried to import a used right-hand drive car from Japan and modify it, but the vehicle management office directly rejected it. A few exceptions are cross-border vehicles from Hong Kong and Macau, but they must display special markings and adjust their driving habits to comply with mainland traffic customs. Additionally, some smuggled right-hand drive cars entered the market in earlier years, but they have mostly been phased out now.

[LeNatalie]

My driving instructor emphasized that steering wheel position is directly related to safety. The biggest issue with right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles on the mainland is during oncoming traffic—when two RHD cars meet, the driver's position is closer to the center of the road, creating greater spatial pressure. Daily driving also makes it easier to scrape curbs because RHD cars inherently struggle with judging left-side distances. The funniest part is automatic car washes—their sensors are designed for left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles, so RHD cars might get their side mirrors hit by the brushes. Now, China's vehicle manufacturing standards mandate LHD configurations, and modified vehicles cannot pass MIIT certification. A friend tried to buy a parallel-imported RHD car but was required to provide factory LHD documentation during registration before it could be approved.

[Monica]

I've researched the policies. Right-hand drive vehicles could still be registered in some areas before 2000, but now they are completely banned from new vehicles being allowed on the road. The reason is that actual test data shows the accident rate of right-hand drive vehicles is 30% higher than left-hand drive ones, especially with larger blind spots during nighttime driving. The design of ordinary roads is also incompatible, such as roundabout exits being positioned for left-side observation. In practical use, lane changes and parking are particularly troublesome. I've seen a few right-hand drive vehicles with Hong Kong and Macau plates in Zhuhai, but they must switch to mainland insurance and add reflective strips to drive in, and their usage is limited to specific routes for Guangdong-Hong Kong plates. I really don't recommend ordinary car owners to get involved with right-hand drive vehicles—it's too much hassle.