Is Canada Left-Hand Drive or Right-Hand Drive?
2 Answers
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.
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.
