Yet, many countries around the world have adopted left-hand traffic. Whether you’re vacationing in Ireland, road-tripping through Australia, or staying in Japan, it’s essential to be well prepared.
In this article, we share all our tips, including:
More than 70 countries around the world drive on the left, with a majority in Asia and former British colonies. Among the most well-known:
In these countries, cars usually have the steering wheel on the right, which can be surprising at first.
Left-hand driving dates back to the time when knights rode horses with their swords on the left, as most were right-handed. This allowed them to draw their weapon more easily in case of threat. This system was retained in several countries, especially those under British influence.
Here are some tips to ease the transition:
Note : As a pedestrian, make sure to look the correct way before crossing the road!
Drivers coming from Switzerland may make certain mistakes when driving on the left:
Check that your car insurance covers you abroad or take out specific insurance for your trip. We recommend:
Yes, in countries where people drive on the left, rental cars usually have the steering wheel on the right. It may be surprising, but rental companies often offer automatic models to make driving easier.
If you plan to travel to Great Britain or Ireland with your Swiss-registered car, it’s essential to check your headlights’ orientation. In Switzerland, vehicles are designed to light up the right side of the road, which can cause dangerous glare for oncoming drivers in left-hand traffic countries.
To fix this issue, you have several options:
Warning : Lowering the headlights to the maximum is not recommended, as it can limit your field of vision, especially at night or in bad weather.
Beam deflectors, such as those offered by Eurolites, are available:
Before installing them, it’s essential to carefully read the instructions to position them correctly. Poor installation can make the device ineffective.
La conduite à gauche ne doit pas être un frein à vos envies de voyage. Avec un peu de préparation, une bonne assurance et quelques conseils pratiques, vous pouvez partir l’esprit tranquille. N’oubliez pas de vérifier votre couverture d’assurance avant de prendre le volant à l’étranger.
Once back in Switzerland or in a right-hand traffic country, it’s important to remove the adapters or reset the headlight orientation if you made manual adjustments. This ensures optimal visibility and avoids glare risks on Swiss roads.
Driving on the left shouldn’t stop you from traveling. With a bit of preparation, good insurance, and practical tips, you can hit the road with peace of mind. Don’t forget to check your insurance coverage before driving abroad.
Find here the list of countries that drive on the left.