Which cars have the driver's cabin on the right?
3 Answers
No specific car brand has the driver's cabin on the right. In most countries around the world, the driver's cabin is on the left, with only a few regions like the Commonwealth and Japan having it on the right. Early automobiles had the driver's seat positioned in the center of the vehicle. Shortly afterward, some automakers placed the driver's seat on the side closer to the road's centerline to better observe oncoming traffic. Others positioned it on the roadside to avoid collisions with obstacles like walls, hedges, or ditches. Practical experience showed that the former approach was more conducive to road safety, leading to its adoption as the standard. This resulted in the distinction between left-hand drive (driver's seat on the left front) and right-hand drive (driver's seat on the right front) vehicles.
I'm really into cars and noticed that right-hand drive vehicles are mainly popular in left-hand traffic countries. In the UK, for example, cars like the MINI Cooper or Land Rover have the driver's cabin on the right side because traffic rules dictate driving on the left, allowing the driver to better see roadside conditions. Japanese cars are the same way, with models like the Toyota Crown and Honda Fit designed as right-hand drive, only modified for export to other countries. The locally made Holden Commodore is also common in Australia, and I tried driving one during a trip—it took some getting used to the steering wheel position. Some used cars imported into China, like older Infiniti models, if they're right-hand drive, require customs clearance before hitting the road. Driving a right-hand drive car feels different—changing lanes on the highway feels closer to the inner side, but reversing requires adjusting to the mirror layout. When choosing a car, you also have to consider local regulations.
I've seen quite a few right-hand drive cars during my international travels, with the most memorable ones being on the streets of Singapore. Most taxis there are Toyota Prius right-hand drive versions, with the driver's seat on the right, as the country adopts a left-hand traffic system. British brands like BMW or Jaguar also produce right-hand drive cars for local use, designed to make it easier for drivers to turn on left-hand roads. Some classic cars in Hong Kong and India, such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom, are also right-hand drive, a legacy from the colonial era. Driving these cars, I found the gear shift position a bit awkward at first, but they perform well in terms of safety. If you're planning a road trip in these places, renting a right-hand drive car will make the experience more authentic, and I recommend taking a test drive to familiarize yourself with the controls.
