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Australia is one of 78 countries that drive on the left side of the road. This means that the vehicles in Australia have their steering wheels on the right-hand side. Australia is a former British colony, and most countries that drive on the left were historically under British rule. Driving on the left can be traced back to feudal, violent societies where right-handed swordsmen preferred to keep to the left to have their sword arm nearer to their opponent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driving side | Left |
| Steering wheel position | Right |
| Roundabout direction | Clockwise |
| Driving in cities | Not recommended |
| Manual vs automatic | Automatic recommended for visitors |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia is a former British colony, which is why they drive on the left
- The steering wheel is on the right side of the car
- It is recommended to rent an automatic car when visiting Australia
- The pedals are in the same position as in LHD cars
- The majority of the world drives on the right, but most former British colonies drive on the left
Australia is a former British colony, which is why they drive on the left
Australia is one of many former British colonies that continue to drive on the left. In fact, most countries that drive on the left today are former British colonies, including South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
The practice of driving on the left originated in the United Kingdom, where it was a sensible option for a feudal and violent society. Since most people are right-handed, swordsmen preferred to keep to the left to have their right arm closer to their opponent and their sword further from them.
This tradition was carried over to the colonies, and despite Australia's independence from British rule, it has maintained this rule of the road. Driving on the left is codified in Australia's Highway Code, which was written in 1936.
While it may be challenging for visitors from countries that drive on the right to adjust to driving on the left in Australia, it is important to remember that the steering wheel will be on the right side of the car, and roundabouts circulate clockwise. It is also worth noting that indicators and staying in your lane can be tricky when adjusting to driving on the opposite side. However, many people report that it only takes a few minutes of driving to realise it is not as difficult as they expected.
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The steering wheel is on the right side of the car
In Australia, vehicles are right-hand drive, meaning the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. This is because Australia drives on the left side of the road, which is typical for former British colonies. In fact, the first statutory requirement for left-hand traffic may have been in England in 1756, with the London Bridge Act. This mandated that carriages travelling over London Bridge keep to the left.
Driving on the left side of the road dates back to feudal, violent societies, where most people were right-handed. Swordsmen preferred to keep left so that their right arm, and therefore sword arm, was nearer to their opponent.
Driving a right-hand drive car on the left side of the road can be challenging for those used to driving on the right. One source recommends not driving as soon as you land in Australia, as jet lag and fatigue can make the transition more difficult. It may also take some time to get used to the position of the indicators, with one traveller recounting how their partner kept turning on the windscreen wipers when they meant to turn on the turn signal. Another source recommends hiring an automatic car to avoid having to worry about using a gear stick.
However, others have said that driving on the opposite side of the car and road is not as difficult as it seems. One Australian who has driven in several countries said that it takes about five minutes to realise it's not that different at all.
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It is recommended to rent an automatic car when visiting Australia
In Australia, cars drive on the left side of the road. If you are visiting Australia and need to rent a car, it is highly recommended to rent an automatic car. Here are some reasons why:
Firstly, if you are not accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, an automatic car will make the transition easier. You will have one less thing to worry about, as you won't need to worry about shifting gears with your left hand, which can be confusing for those used to driving manual cars on the right side of the road.
Secondly, renting an automatic car can provide a more relaxed driving experience, especially if you are visiting Australia for leisure. You can focus on enjoying the scenery and navigating the roads without the added stress of manual gear changes.
Additionally, automatic cars can be more convenient and user-friendly. You won't have to worry about adjusting to using your left hand for gear changes, which can be challenging, especially if you are only visiting for a short period.
Moreover, renting an automatic car can offer a safer option. Driving in a new country can be daunting, and by eliminating the need to shift gears manually, you can pay more attention to the road, follow road signs, and navigate unfamiliar routes more confidently.
Lastly, automatic cars are widely available for rent in Australia. Most car rental companies in Australia offer a range of vehicles, making it convenient for visitors to choose the option that best suits their needs.
When renting a car in Australia, it is important to remember that you must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid driver's license for a minimum of 12 months. It is also recommended to book your rental car in advance to secure your preferred vehicle and take out rental car insurance for peace of mind during your trip.
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The pedals are in the same position as in LHD cars
In Australia, cars are right-hand drive (RHD), meaning that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car and drivers need to keep to the left side of the road. This is in contrast to left-hand drive (LHD) countries, where the steering wheel is on the left side of the car and drivers keep to the right side of the road.
While the placement of the steering wheel differs between RHD and LHD cars, the position of the pedals remains the same in both types of vehicles. In other words, the brake, clutch, and accelerator pedals are arranged in the same order in RHD and LHD cars. This means that drivers who are used to driving LHD cars will not have to adjust to a different pedal configuration when driving an RHD car in Australia, which can help make the transition to driving on the opposite side of the road a little easier.
It is worth noting that while the pedals are in the same position, the gear setup is different between RHD and LHD cars. In an RHD car, the gears are on the driver's left, and the driver uses their left hand to change gears. In contrast, in an LHD car, the gears are on the driver's right, and the driver uses their right hand to change gears. This difference in gear setup can take some time to get used to when transitioning between driving RHD and LHD cars.
Some people may worry that driving on the opposite side of the road in Australia will be challenging or dangerous. However, many people have shared their experiences online, stating that it only takes a few minutes of driving to realize it is not as difficult as they expected. One important tip that can help ease the transition is to ensure you hire an automatic car, eliminating the need to worry about using a gear stick with your non-dominant hand.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid driving immediately after a long flight due to jet lag and fatigue, which can increase the risk of an accident. Instead, give yourself some time to adjust and perhaps start on quieter roads to get a feel for driving on the left side of the road before venturing into busier areas. With a little practice and patience, you will be able to confidently navigate the roads in Australia, even if you are used to driving on the right side of the road.
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The majority of the world drives on the right, but most former British colonies drive on the left
In Australia, cars drive on the left side of the road. Australia is one of the 76 areas that stick to the left, and it is a former British colony.
Today, around 75% of the world’s countries and territories drive on the right, leaving about 76 areas that stick to the left. Many of these areas are former British colonies. In Europe, since the early 1980s, cars have been required to be equipped with one or two red rear fog lamps. In most countries, rail traffic travels on the same side as road traffic. However, there are many instances of railways that remain LHT despite their nations' road traffic becoming RHT. Examples include Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Egypt, France, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Laos, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Senegal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
There are several reasons why the majority of the world drives on the right while most former British colonies drive on the left. One reason is historical. In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII directed pilgrims to keep left, although there is no documented evidence to support this claim. Another reason is that in feudal, violent societies, keeping left made sense as most people are right-handed. This meant that swordsmen preferred to keep to the left to have their right arm nearer to their opponent and their scabbard further away. Additionally, keeping left reduced the chance of the scabbard hitting other people, and it was easier to mount a horse from the left side.
In Colonial America, right-hand driving was the norm among horseback riders and pedestrians. Historians suggest that safety may have been a significant factor. Travelers often carried handguns under their left arms, making it easier to draw the weapons with their right hands when encountering threats. The advent of the Conestoga wagon in the mid-18th century further fueled the fire of right-sided driving. These wagons lacked a traditional driver’s seat, so operators typically held the reins with their left hand and the whip with their right while riding on the rear left horse.
Some countries that were former British colonies have switched to RHT. For example, Sudan, formerly part of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, switched to RHT in 1973. Most of its neighbours were RHT countries, and since the independence of South Sudan in 2011, all of its neighbours drive on the right. Another example is Samoa, a former German colony, which had been RHT for over a century but switched to LHT in 2009 to allow Samoans to use cheaper vehicles imported from Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, and to harmonise with other South Pacific nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Cars in Australia drive on the left side of the road.
The steering wheel is on the right side of the car.
It is recommended that you do not drive as soon as you land in Australia, as jet lag and fatigue can make the transition more difficult. It is also suggested that you hire an automatic car to avoid having to worry about using a gear stick.
Cars drive on the left in 78 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji, and many more.
