Is the driver's seat on the left or right in Australia?
3 Answers
In Australia, the driver's seat is on the right side, and vehicles drive on the left. Here is additional information: Left-hand traffic: This is because Australia is part of the Commonwealth, where island nations led by the UK drive on the left. This tradition originates from medieval European customs of horseback riding and walking, where mounting stones were placed on the left side of the road. Currently, countries with left-hand traffic include: the UK, Japan, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Ireland, Malta, New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Nauru, Jamaica, Guyana, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and over thirty other countries.
I've always loved traveling around, and my self-drive experience in Australia left the deepest impression. There, the driver's seat is on the right side, with left-hand traffic like in the UK or Japan, completely different from the steering wheel position in American cars back home. When I first started driving there, I kept instinctively turning left into the wrong lane. Fortunately, the roads were wide and traffic was sparse, so no accidents occurred. Why is it designed this way? Mainly due to colonial history, inheriting British rules. While driving, remember: overtake on the right, enter roundabouts from the right, and when pedestrians cross, look right first then left. I opted for an automatic compact car when renting, to minimize manual gearshift confusion; also set the GPS to left-hand traffic mode to avoid distractions. On Sydney's streets, once adapted, admiring the sunset over the Harbour Bridge was absolutely fantastic! I recommend beginners practice with driving simulation software before renting a car—it's safer and more economical.
Having driven for most of my life and traveled to dozens of countries, I'm very familiar with Australia's driving system: the driver's seat is on the right, and cars drive on the left. This is the same as in Commonwealth countries like South Africa, where the steering wheel position brings the driver closer to the center of the lane, providing better visibility. For those accustomed to left-hand drive countries like the U.S., it's best to check the pedal layout before driving—the brake and accelerator positions remain unchanged, but turning takes some getting used to. I always remind people: use the right lane for overtaking on highways, and yield to traffic from the right at intersections; in foggy conditions or at night, use flashing lights more often for signaling. Rental companies often provide tips for beginners, such as avoiding rush hour for practice. Remember the rules, and you'll adapt naturally in two or three days—safe driving is more important than anything else, so don't rush.
