Have you completed your Cuti-Cuti Malaysia bucket list and are looking to explore another country? Well, driving in a foreign country is the best way to discover hidden gems and sights that are not as tourist-packed.
Malaysia practises left-hand driving, which means we drive on the left side of the road despite the driver’s seat being on the right. Other countries may drive on the right side of the road instead, which can be tricky for us to encounter because we’re so used to driving on the left.
Fun fact: We drive on the left side of the road because of a historical British colonial legacy!
Despite the challenge, don’t let this small inconvenience stop you from going on the adventure of a lifetime.
Here are several countries that practise left hand driving like Malaysia, so you can get out, see the world, and connect with local citizens and their culture.
58 Countries With Left Hand Drives Like Malaysia
| 1. Anguilla | 30. Kiribati |
| 2. Antigua and Barbuda | 31. Macau |
| 3. Australia | 32. Malawi |
| 4. The Bahamas | 33. Malaysia |
| 5. Bangladesh | 34. Maldives |
| 6. Barbados | 35. Malta |
| 7. The Bermudas | 36. Mauritius |
| 8. Bhutan | 37. Mozambique |
| 9. Botswana | 38. Namibia |
| 10. The British Virgin Islands | 39. Nepal |
| 11. Brunei | 40. New Zealand |
| 12. The Cayman Islands | 41. Pakistan |
| 13. Christmas Island | 42. Papua New Guinea |
| 14. Cyprus | 43. Samoa |
| 15. Northern Cyprus | 44. Scotland |
| 16. Dominica | 45. Seychelles |
| 17. Timor-Leste | 46. Singapore |
| 18. England | 47. Solomon Islands |
| 19. Fiji | 48. South Africa |
| 20. Guyana | 49. Sri Lanka |
| 21. Hong Kong | 50. Surinam |
| 22. India | 51. Swaziland |
| 23. Indonesia | 52. Thailand |
| 24. Ireland | 53. Tonga |
| 25. Northern Ireland | 54. Trinidad and Tobago |
| 26. Isle of Man | 55. Uganda |
| 27. Jamaica | 56. Wales |
| 28. Japan | 57. Zambia |
| 29. Kenya | 58. Zimbabwe |
5 Safety Tips When Driving Overseas
1. Plan your route early
We know you want to visit all the attractions and eat all the good food, so plan your route according to what’s near each other to save time. Besides that, download an offline version of your map just in case the connection isn’t too good on the road, and prepare a physical map as backup.
2. Know the country’s road laws, speed limits, and driving etiquette
Every country has their road laws, and what applies in your home country may not apply overseas and vice-versa. As part of preparation for your trip, read up on the country’s speed limits, basic road laws, and everyday driving etiquette to prepare yourself better for the drive.
3. Get insurance coverage
Just like at home, car insurance coverage gives you peace of mind when driving, especially on unfamiliar roads in a foreign country. Most car rental places include car insurance in the rental cost, but it won’t hurt to do some extra research to ensure you’re fully protected.
4. Stay focused and alert
We get it – a holiday is all about making the best of it, even if it means functioning on little to no sleep. As a driver, though, you do need to ensure you get enough rest to drive and stay alert. Always keep your eyes on the road ahead so you can change lanes early on when you need to.
5. Have a valid driving licence
If you and your friends or family members are taking turns driving, all drivers will need a valid driving licence. As an added safety measure, make a copy of everyone’s licences and identification documents and keep them in the glovebox compartment.
How To Apply For An International Driving Licence
Before you start paying for car rentals, you need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally drive a car overseas. Your current driving licence must be valid for at least one year, while the IDP can be used for up to one year.
Taking The Path Unknown
In life, there will always be a chance to try something new, like eating food you’ve never heard of or driving in a foreign country.
If you’re hesitant to try right-hand driving, visiting a country with a left-hand drive is the safest option, as you’ll be more familiar with the direction of the road. Once you’re more confident, you can go for the right-hand drive during low seasons or when there aren’t many people.
Apart from that, you can also go with people who have experience driving overseas or hire a local driver and try to drive for a short while. Just make sure you have a licence!