The car was perfect. A classic Japanese sports car, a machine you’d normally only see in magazines or pixelated in video games. There was just one, well, glaringly obvious quirk. The steering wheel was on the right. And you live in the United States. Or Canada. Or any other country where drivers stick to the right.
Owning a right-hand drive (RHD) vehicle in a left-hand drive (LHD) country isn’t just a car ownership choice. It’s a lifestyle statement, a test of patience, and a daily dose of minor, yet manageable, adventure. Let’s dive into what it’s really like to live with the wheel on the ‘wrong’ side.
The Allure: Why Would Anyone Do This?
It’s not about being difficult. Honestly, the reasons are often deeply personal and, frankly, cool. For many, it’s the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) craze. Think Nissan Skyline GT-Rs, Subaru WRX STIs, or the nimble Mazda MX-5 Eunos Roadster. These are icons that were never officially sold in LHD markets, and they possess a certain mystique you can’t get anywhere else.
For others, it’s about classic British motoring—a vintage Land Rover Defender or a sleek Jaguar E-Type, in their original, intended configuration. It’s authenticity. It’s about owning a piece of automotive culture that feels pure, unadulterated by market-specific compromises. That said… the reality of daily life with an RHD car comes with its own set of compromises.
The Daily Grind: Practical Realities and Quirks
The Drive-Thru Dilemma (and Other Simple Tasks)
This is the most famous, almost cliché, challenge. The drive-thru becomes a comical ballet. You’ll either be stretching across the cabin like a contortionist, or—and this is the pro-move—you’ll just reverse through. It gets laughs. It also works.
But it’s not just fast food. Tolls? You’ll need a long-reach grabber tool or an electronic pass. Parking garages? Good luck reaching the ticket machine without unbuckling and leaning way, way out. These are small things, but they happen every single day.
Overtaking: The Nerve-Wracking Part
This is the big one. The safety question everyone asks. On a single-lane road, passing a slower vehicle is the most significant challenge. Your view of oncoming traffic is severely restricted. You’re essentially blind until you can get a clear angle.
The solution? Patience. And sometimes a willing passenger to act as a spotter. You learn to be hyper-cautious, to only pass when you have an absurdly long, clear stretch of road. It changes your driving style, making you more defensive. Honestly, that’s not a bad thing.
Left Turns and Right Turns
Here’s a surprise for many: right turns at a busy intersection can be trickier than left turns. When you’re turning right, you’re crossing lanes of traffic, and your field of view is limited by the car’s A-pillar and the fact you’re further from the lane you’re trying to see into. Left turns, however, can feel easier as you’re pivoting into the closest lane.
The Nitty-Gritty: Legalities, Insurance, and Maintenance
This is where the dream meets bureaucracy. And it’s crucial.
Is It Even Legal?
In most countries, including the US and Canada, yes, it is perfectly legal to own and drive a right-hand drive vehicle on public roads. The main hurdles are related to import laws, not which side the steering wheel is on. For instance, in the US, a car generally needs to be at least 25 years old to be easily imported under the “25-Year Rule.”
Navigating the Insurance Maze
Not all insurance companies are created equal when it comes to RHD cars. Some will flat-out refuse. Others will charge a hefty premium, citing “increased risk.”
Your best bet is to seek out specialty insurers who understand the market. They often recognize that RHD owners are typically enthusiasts who take better care of their vehicles and may even drive them less, which can sometimes lead to surprisingly reasonable rates.
The Parts and Service Puzzle
This is a potential pain point. While a 1990s Japanese car might share some basic components with its LHD cousin, many parts are mirror-images and simply won’t fit. Think master cylinders, steering racks, dashboards, and wiring harnesses.
You become best friends with online import specialists and learn to wait for parts to ship from Japan or the UK. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it requires planning and a mechanic who isn’t afraid of something different.
A Quick Guide to Key Considerations
| Consideration | The Reality |
| Daily Convenience | Drive-thrus, tolls, and parking are awkward. You get used to it. |
| Safety & Driving | Overtaking requires extreme caution. Defensive driving becomes second nature. |
| Legality | Generally legal, but import age laws (like the 25-Year Rule) apply. |
| Insurance | Can be more expensive and may require a specialty provider. |
| Maintenance & Parts | Requires specialist knowledge; parts can be expensive and slow to arrive. |
| Resale Value | Can be strong within the enthusiast community, but the buyer pool is smaller. |
The Social Experience: Grins and Confusion
Beyond the mechanics of driving, owning an RHD car is a social experiment. You will constantly find people staring, pointing, and giving you a thumbs-up. You’ll get the same questions at every gas station: “Why is your steering wheel on the wrong side?” “Is that hard to drive?” “Did you do that yourself?”
It’s a conversation starter. A way to connect with random people over a shared, if confused, interest. For an enthusiast, that’s part of the joy. It’s a rolling piece of curiosity.
So, Is It Worth It?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? If you value convenience above all else, then no. An RHD car will test your patience. But if you see a car as more than just an appliance—if it’s about passion, history, and owning something truly unique—then the answer can be a resounding yes.
The inconveniences become part of the story. The awkward drive-thru moment is a funny anecdote. The wait for a specific brake caliper from Yokohama makes the car feel more special when it’s finally back on the road. It forces you to be a more engaged, more aware driver.
In the end, owning a right-hand drive car in a left-hand drive country is a deliberate choice to take the road less traveled. It’s a reminder that the journey, with all its quirks and challenges, is often more rewarding than the destination. You’re not just driving a car; you’re piloting a statement—a little piece of another world, right outside your door.
