What does a right-hand drive car mean?
2 Answers
Right-hand drive refers to a steering wheel positioned on the right side. Countries that adopt right-hand drive and left-side traffic are primarily Commonwealth nations, which were historically influenced by Britain. Countries that use right-hand drive and drive on the left side are mainly Commonwealth nations, or those significantly influenced by Britain in the past. Larger countries include the UK, Japan, India, Australia, and South Africa, while smaller regions include the Maldives, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau in China, Ireland, and others. Other countries use left-hand drive and drive on the right side, including China, the United States, France, Germany, etc. The reasons for adopting right-hand drive vehicles are twofold: first, it is determined by road traffic laws and regulations, and second, it traces back to historical and cultural origins. Although cars can be either left-hand or right-hand drive, their layouts are symmetrical along the vehicle's central axis. The positions of the brake and accelerator, as well as the lights and wipers, remain the same as in left-hand drive cars—essentially mirrored. However, the gear shift is still located in the center of the car. Things to note when driving a right-hand drive car: The positions of the wiper and turn signal controls are reversed compared to left-hand drive cars. In left-hand drive cars in China, the turn signal is on the left and the wiper on the right, whereas in right-hand drive cars, the wiper is on the left and the turn signal on the right. Traffic rules in right-hand drive countries differ significantly from those in China: Right-hand drive cars drive on the left side of the road. When making a left turn, even if the traffic light is green, pedestrians must be given the right of way before proceeding. At many intersections where right turns are allowed, U-turns are prohibited, and drivers must follow traffic signs.
I think right-hand drive (RHD) cars are those with the steering wheel on the right side, which is the opposite of the left-hand drive (LHD) cars we commonly see, like those driven in the UK and Japan. I remember renting a car during a trip to Japan—it felt really awkward at first, always hitting the wipers when trying to signal, but I got used to it after a while. Actually, this design is mainly due to different traffic rules: left-hand traffic countries use RHD cars, while right-hand traffic countries use LHD cars, which gives drivers better visibility and reduces the risk of hitting pedestrians. If you're a new driver, adapting to an RHD car might take some time, but it's quite safe because the dashboard and control layouts are optimized for it. Also, be careful when switching cars—don’t buy the wrong version, or you might face hassles with import procedures and maintenance. In short, knowing this can help you feel more confident when driving abroad.
