Can Right-Hand Drive Vehicles Be Driven in China?

[Haymitch]

It is not allowed to drive right-hand drive vehicles in mainland China, except for Hong Kong and Macau vehicles that have been approved for entry according to regulations. All other cases are considered illegal because right-hand drive vehicles cannot pass vehicle inspection for registration. China follows the principle of right-hand traffic, with the steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle. This setup allows drivers to better gauge the distance from oncoming vehicles, reducing the risk of collisions. Additionally, it provides better visibility when overtaking. Relevant regulations: "Announcement by the Ministry of Public Security on the Management of Right-Hand Drive Vehicles" To ensure road traffic safety and combat smuggling and theft of motor vehicles, with the approval of the State Council, the following announcements regarding the management of right-hand drive vehicles (excluding those from Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions entering mainland China) are hereby issued: 1. From the date of this announcement, traffic management departments of public security authorities will not process registration for right-hand drive vehicles. 2. Owners of right-hand drive vehicles that have already been registered and have reached the scrapping standard must proactively complete scrapping procedures with the traffic management departments. These departments shall revoke the license plates and registration certificates and enforce mandatory scrapping without delay. For registered right-hand drive vehicles that have not yet reached the scrapping standard, they are permitted to continue driving on roads. Once they reach the scrapping standard, they shall be processed according to the previous provision. 3. If right-hand drive vehicles that have reached the scrapping standard are still driven on roads, traffic management departments shall revoke their license plates and registration certificates upon discovery and enforce mandatory scrapping. 4. From the date of this announcement, traffic management departments shall not approve the conversion of right-hand drive vehicles to left-hand drive. Vehicles that have been converted without authorization will still be treated as right-hand drive vehicles.