Is it awkward to drive a right-hand drive car?
2 Answers
Whether a right-hand drive car is easy to drive or not, it's all about getting used to it. Here are the relevant details: Definition: A right-hand drive car refers to a vehicle where the driver's seat is positioned on the right side of the cabin. In a right-hand drive car, the driver sits on the right, and the vehicle drives on the left side of the road, whereas in a left-hand drive car, the driver sits on the left, and the vehicle drives on the right. In domestic cars, the steering wheel is on the left side, commonly referred to as left-hand drive. Driving habits: The difference between right-hand and left-hand drive cars mainly arises from different driving practices. British-style driving is on the left side of the road, with the driver positioned on the right. In terms of road mileage, 28% of the world's drivable roads are left-hand drive. Countries that use right-hand drive cars are primarily the UK, Commonwealth nations, and former British colonies.
I just started learning to drive and rented a right-hand drive car for the first time during a trip to Australia. It felt really awkward. The steering wheel on the right made me want to reach for the empty space on the left, and the manual gearshift being on the left side felt strange—I wasn’t used to my right hand being idle. Turning felt different because the visual angle narrowed, and checking mirrors or spotting pedestrians was in a new position—I almost made a small mistake at a city intersection. Even signaling felt awkward since the controls were usually on the left. But after two days of driving, especially on wide suburban roads, I slowly adapted—my brain rewired itself, and the controls became natural. Looking back, that initial discomfort was just psychological. In reality, the car functions the same as a left-hand drive vehicle. Once familiar, it’s easy, and parking in narrow alleys is even more convenient. Just remember not to rush when starting out—practice in an open area a few times, and safety always comes first.
