Many countries around the world have different traffic flow patterns than those we are used to in the United States.  The first country that usually comes to mind is the United Kingdom.  It was probably the first country to adopt the keep left rule, followed by France and the countries that belonged to the British Empire which included Japan, Australasia, India, and much of Africa.  Today some of these countries have adopted the policy of right hand traffic, while the UK, India, Australia, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean still drive on the left hand side of the road. 

     To accommodate left hand and right hand traffic, vehicles are manufactured in two varieties: right hand drive and left hand drive.  Generally the steering wheel, driver’s seat, accelerator, and brake pedal are located on the opposite side of the car from the side of the road where it is driven.  This means that left hand drive vehicles are driven on the right side of the road, while those driven on the left hand side of the road are right hand drive.  The terms can be somewhat confusing. 

     The majority of vehicles manufactured and driven in Europe and the UK are right hand drive, but this does not rule out the use of left hand drive cars and 4×4s.  Some motorists prefer left hand drive cars or even consider them to be a status symbol, just the same way drivers in the US feel about their imported sports cars.  And just like high-powered sports cars, left hand drive vehicles are considered to be high risks with high insurance rates.  That doesn’t mean they are uninsurable. Owners sometimes have to do some comparison shopping to find the lowest rates for their left hand drive car.

     Left hand drive vehicles do not have to be purchased directly from their country of origin.  There are many fine automotive dealers in the UK who specialize in left hand drive imports.  These quality lhd cars and lhd 4×4s can be purchased new or used.  The used ldh vehicles have low miles and come with a warranty guaranteeing their reliability.  After the sale is made the automotive dealers offer professional service for your ldh vehicle, using genuine parts from the manufacturer.  Vehicles are available from some of the best known automotive manufacturers in the world such as Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Land Rover, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen.   

     Even if left hand drive vehicles are not the norm in the UK, they seem to be very popular with some motorists who have entirely done away with their right hand drive automobiles.  The reverse will probably never happen in the US with motorists making the switch to right hand drive cars, but be assured American drivers will continue to have a love affair with their imports also.