Which Side Do Chinese Cars Drive On?

[EliMarie]

Chinese cars drive on the right side, and this right-hand driving practice is historically determined. Historical reasons for right-hand driving in China: Initially, influenced by Britain, cars in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and other regions of China generally drove on the left; while in Shandong, Zhili, and other areas influenced by the United States, driving was on the right. In the 1930s, regulations gradually mandated that all vehicles drive on the right, and even in Japanese-occupied areas like Northeast China, right-hand driving rules were adopted, leading to a basic unification of the rules nationwide. One country, two systems in Chinese road traffic: Due to historical reasons, Hong Kong follows left-hand traffic rules, while the mainland drives on the right. After Hong Kong's return, the mainland and Hong Kong adopted a one country, two systems solution. Mainland vehicles entering Hong Kong must follow Hong Kong's left-hand driving rules. Conversely, Hong Kong vehicles entering the mainland must also adapt to local customs.

[StPaul]

After driving in China for so many years, I've become accustomed to keeping to the right side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left. This aligns with the mainstream rules in Europe and North America, which feels very natural to me. During rush hours every day, I watch the traffic flow to the right, and overtaking is always done quickly in the left lane. I remember my driving instructor emphasizing this when I first learned to drive, saying that China established this standard in 1949 to align with international norms, especially under the influence of the Soviet Union at that time. Why not drive on the left like in the UK or Japan? I heard that historically, the left-hand driving tradition originated during Napoleon's era, but China chose a different path. This has a significant impact—for example, when turning at intersections, you need to pay special attention to vehicles coming from the left to ensure a safe distance and avoid collisions. If you drive to Hong Kong or Macau for a trip, where they drive on the left, you'll need to readjust, otherwise it's easy to get into trouble. I think there are cultural factors behind driving direction as well, and having a unified standard makes national traffic more orderly and reduces confusion.

[SanCatherine]

As a frequent business traveler, I noticed right away when I first arrived in China that cars drive on the right side with the steering wheel on the left. This is quite different from my home country Australia, where we drive on the left, so I had to relearn my habits for turning and navigating intersections. In fact, most countries drive on the right, including the US and Canada, with only a few like the UK and Japan driving on the left. China's adoption of the right-hand traffic system was likely influenced by the Soviet model in the 1940s, which has made my travels much easier - I can simply rent a car and hit the road without needing to adjust. On highways, clear signs indicate the left lane as the passing lane, greatly improving safety. However, I always remind friends driving here for the first time to double-check their mirrors to ensure no one is coming from the left. Having unified traffic rules is truly convenient, avoiding many potential collision risks.

[HarleyLee]

I always have the habit of driving closer to the right side, which is the standard driving method in China with the steering wheel on the left. This rule has been ingrained in me since I got my driver's license, and overtaking is always done on the left to reduce risks. Why is it set up this way? It's said to be related to post-WWII adjustments to align with international mainstream practices. Compared to Hong Kong, where driving on the left requires extra caution to avoid confusion when changing directions. This simple rule significantly impacts daily driving safety, requiring careful observation to prevent accidents and ensure pedestrian safety. I think a unified direction system is great as it makes traffic more orderly.

[VanAllison]

Looking back at history, I learned that in China, cars drive on the right side with the steering wheel on the left—this wasn't a random decision. The roots trace back to the early 20th century when China adopted models from France and the United States. Proposals emerged in the 1920s, and after 1949, it was officially standardized to align with international practices. Why the right side instead of the left? While left-hand driving, like in the UK, has historical military reasons, China opted for the more widespread system to reduce learning costs. This choice makes driving feel smoother for me, especially in congested cities where predicting others' movements boosts efficiency. Unified driving direction is crucial for safety, preventing accidents at intersections. Now, whenever I hit the road, I remind myself that keeping right is a fundamental safeguard.