Is Canada Left-Hand Drive or Right-Hand Drive?

[Lynne]

Canada used to drive on the left side of the road but switched to the right side in 1946. The relevant explanation is as follows: Introduction: Therefore, Canada now drives on the right side, with the driver seated on the left. The four largest countries in the world by land area—Russia, Canada, China, and the United States—all have left-hand drive vehicles. Countries with Left-Hand Traffic: Left-hand traffic originated in the United Kingdom. Currently, countries that practice left-hand driving include: the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Ireland.

[AshlynLee]

After driving in Canada for so many years, I can tell you that it's left-hand drive here, meaning the driver sits on the left side and drives on the right side of the road. Like the rest of North America, this setup feels quite natural—for example, it makes overtaking on highways easier, and you get a clearer view of oncoming traffic, reducing collision risks. I found it easy to adapt because road signs, intersections, and vehicle designs are all tailored for right-hand traffic. I remember when I traveled to the UK in my younger days, their right-hand drive system almost made me drive on the wrong side—coming back to Canada was a relief. Safety-wise, right-hand driving is especially beneficial at night or in bad weather, offering better visibility, particularly during snowy winter drives. If you're coming from a country like Japan, it might feel confusing at first, but you'll get used to it in a few days. Vehicle manufacturing also aligns with this, with the steering wheel on the left and side mirrors positioned accordingly. Overall, Canada's traffic rules emphasize this, and driving schools teach right-hand driving to avoid confusion.

[BrynleeFitz]

As a car enthusiast, I'm particularly interested in the driving habits of different countries. In Canada, vehicles are left-hand drive, with the driver's seat on the left side and driving on the right side of the road. This aligns with the unified standard of our neighbor, the United States, and the car designs match well with the dashboard layout, placing the gear shift on the right for convenient operation. Driving feels safe and reliable with a clear view on the right side. I've studied the differences between European and Asian cars; in right-hand drive countries like Australia, the steering wheel is on the right, and vehicles imported to Canada require modifications, increasing costs. When repairing cars, I noticed that the right-side system reduces wear on left-side components, extending their lifespan. Historically, this stems from Canada's shift to North American standards in the early 20th century to promote trade. On long drives, the experience is smooth, with high traffic efficiency. When traveling, I remind myself to choose right-side rental cars to avoid accidents. Overall, the experience is rich, allowing me to appreciate the nuances of design differences.

[SanKing]

When I first moved to Canada, I wasn't familiar with the driving practices here. Canada follows the left-hand drive system, meaning the steering wheel is on the left and vehicles drive on the right side of the road. At first, I was a bit nervous because back in my hometown in the UK, we drive on the left, and I almost turned the wrong way several times. But the locals helped me adapt, and with clear traffic signals and well-designed intersections, I got used to it within a week. The sense of safety is good; driving on the right provides better visibility, making it less stressful to drive in crowded cities like Vancouver. I recommend that new immigrants prioritize practicing right-side driving rules when learning to drive to avoid accidents. Simply put, with the driver's seat set on the left, you can get the hang of it quickly.