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Left-hand trafficUnited Kingdom

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United Kingdom. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United Kingdom

44. Left-hand traffic

Left-hand traffic is a traffic system in which vehicles normally travel on the left side of the road. In countries using left-hand traffic, vehicles usually overtake on the right and most cars have the steering wheel on the right-hand side.

Drivers who are unfamiliar with left-hand traffic should pay particular attention at intersections, roundabouts, when turning and when entering or leaving roads, because familiar traffic movements are reversed compared with right-hand traffic.

Left-hand traffic
Reminder to drive on the left in the United Kingdom. (Kent, United Kingdom)
Wikimedia.org • NFH • CC0
Does traffic normally drive on the left in the United Kingdom?

Yes. Traffic in the United Kingdom normally keeps to the left on two-way roads. Drivers should take special care when arriving from a country that normally keeps right.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 160,163,184–190; Rule 124 mph limits

On which side is overtaking normally carried out in the United Kingdom?

With ordinary left-hand traffic, overtaking is normally on the right. Exceptions can exist under local law, such as particular lane, turning or traffic conditions. Follow the local rules and never assume an unsafe pass is permitted.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 160,163,184–190; Rule 124 mph limits

What should visitors check when adapting to the driving side in the United Kingdom?

Keep left, use UK mph speed signs, and pay particular attention to roundabouts and junctions when arriving from a right-hand-traffic country. A right-hand-drive vehicle is common, but a steering-wheel position is not itself the driving-side rule.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 160,163,184–190; Rule 124 mph limits

1 United Kingdom 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bike path 5 Pedestrian warning 6 Bridge 7 Speed bump 8 Toll road 9 One-way traffic 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Road narrowing 19 Priority over oncoming traffic 20 Give way to oncoming traffic 21 Pedestrian crossing 22 Railway crossing 23 Mandatory direction 24 Turn prohibition 25 School area 26 Crossing animals 27 Slippery road 28 Rockfall 29 Aircraft 30 Curve 31 Chevron 32 Wrong-way driving 33 Roadworks 34 Height limit 35 Radar speed sign 36 Selective barriers 37 Low-emission zone 38 Priority at the next junction 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Road markings 42 Climbing lane 43 Bike box 44 Left-hand traffic 45 Speed feedback 46 Driving licence 47 Cycling route 48 Parking 49 No parking 50 Park and ride 51 Disabled parking 52 Reversing 53 Detour 54 Road surface 55 Verge 56 Traffic calming 57 Horse riding 58 Emergency exit 59 City limit 60 Tourist attraction 61 Licence plate 62 Charging station 63 Dangers 64 Dip 65 Tram lane 66 Cyclist 67 Bus 68 Police 69 Ambulance 70 Roadway 71 Street 72 Pothole 73 Private road 74 Path 75 Particulates 76 Air pollution 77 Rush hour 78 Road code 79 Two-way traffic 80 Tram stop 81 Street gutter 82 Cargo bike 83 Forestry vehicle 84 Construction vehicle 85 Semi-trailer truck 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Delivery vehicle 89 Idling 90 Tow truck 91 Four-wheel drive 92 Passenger 93 Bicycle 94 Motorcycle equipment 95 Tram 96 Rail track 97 Public transport 98 Caravan 99 Trailer 100 Tow hitch ...