What is the difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive?
4 Answers
There is no significant difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive; the operation is the same. It's just that some countries are accustomed to driving on the right, while others drive on the left. In China, regulations stipulate driving on the left to facilitate overtaking and enhance driving safety, hence the driver sits on the left. Additional information: Below is a detailed introduction: 1. Countries where the driver sits on the left are mostly typical continental countries, such as the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, etc.; 2. Countries where the driver sits on the right are mostly typical island nations, peninsulas, or subcontinental countries, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, etc.; 3. Whether cars drive on the right or left is not fixed from the beginning but is the result of long-term evolution. In ancient times, road traffic norms were quite localized, both in China and abroad. However, as roads extended and interactions expanded, local habits became regional, and regional habits turned into national norms.
The biggest difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive is the position of the steering wheel. In left-hand drive vehicles, the steering wheel is on the left, such as in China and the United States, where the driver sits on the left side, making it easier to see oncoming traffic from the right. In my daily driving, I find that the left-hand drive design makes it easier to observe the road because traffic rules require driving on the right side, and the driver's natural perspective is better suited for handling turns and overtaking. On the other hand, right-hand drive vehicles have the steering wheel on the right, as in the UK or Japan, where the driver sits on the right side, suitable for left-side traffic. Driving such vehicles can feel a bit awkward when shifting gears or turning. The interior design of the vehicle also changes with the steering wheel position, such as the wiper controls sometimes being in the opposite direction. From a safety perspective, this ensures that the driver's line of sight aligns with the traffic flow. If you rent a car in a right-hand drive country while traveling, it can be quite uncomfortable at first, with a tendency to turn in the wrong direction, so it takes time to adapt and avoid accidents.
Driving in different countries offers completely different experiences between left-hand drive (LHD) and right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles. For example, when I drove an RHD car in Japan, the steering wheel was on the right, and traffic kept to the left side of the road. Turning required adjusting to the opposite sightlines, and I often instinctively turned into the wrong lane. In contrast, driving an LHD car in the U.S. felt much more natural—steering wheel on the left, driving on the right, with road alignment feeling intuitive. These designs align with each country's traffic habits to minimize blind spots and conflicts for safety. Gearshift positions also often switch sides based on the drive configuration—using my left hand to shift in an RHD car felt awkward. Additionally, around 70% of countries worldwide use LHD, including China and mainland Europe, while RHD is primarily found in Commonwealth nations like Australia. Imported vehicles often require drive-side modifications to comply with local regulations.
The steering wheel is on the left in left-hand drive vehicles and on the right in right-hand drive vehicles, corresponding to the traffic direction in different countries. Having driven both types, I find left-hand drive more reasonable on right-hand traffic roads, offering better visibility during turns, while right-hand drive feels safer in left-hand traffic countries. Design details such as the turn signal button placement differ, making the switch between the two initially disorienting. Vehicle manufacturers adjust internal layouts to comply with local regulations.
