[dragon20]

Guys, I have a really stupid question.

When people talk about right hand drive / left hand drive in terms of cars e.g. EU vs US spec

Are they talking about where the driver seat is or which side of the road the car drives on?

So for example
I am from Australia - We drive on the left hand side of the road - Driver in the car is on the right hand side. Is this refered to as Right hand side from a BMW parts perspective?

If any one can clarify it would be great

[ss134]

Its the side of the car the steering wheel is on - ie in UK we drive on the left hand side of the road and our steering wheels are on the right hand side of the car (as in Australia) - this enables you to see past other cars for example when you are ready to overtake etc.
In other European countries and the USA they drive on the right hand side of the road and the steering wheel is on the left hand side, where the passenger seat would be in a right hand drive car.

[Rob.K]

left hand drive = Steering wheel on left
right hand drive = Steering wheel on right

[dtc100]

But what do I call my mailman's delivery van?

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by dtc100

But what do I call my mailman's delivery van?

Right hand drive.

In some rural areas of the US where postal carriers deliver from private vehicles, some carriers used to import cars from the UK or Japan. That practice has all but gone away now because of the higher import costs but was pretty common in the 50's and 60's.

[dtc100]

Originally Posted by cb1111

Right hand drive.

In some rural areas of the US where postal carriers deliver from private vehicles, some carriers used to import cars from the UK or Japan. That practice has all but gone away now because of the higher import costs but was pretty common in the 50's and 60's.

So it is not always to do with which side of the road people drive.

If I have to travel in UK, can I ship my car there and drive there?

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by dtc100

So it is not always to do with which side of the road people drive.

If I have to travel in UK, can I ship my car there and drive there?

Sure can. I did that for years (first a LHD Jaguar [I've got to be different] then a Corvette) without issues. Roundabouts and passing are a bit tricky but you don't have to worry about stepping out into traffic when you parallel park.

Oddly enough, while most vehicle equipment laws are very specific, no country I know of specifies the side of a car that the steering wheel should be on.

There are some lighting issues you need to fix (LHD and RHD have different beam patterns) and drive though fast food is nearly impossible. The same for toll booths, parking structures and the like.

[ss134]

I drive my UK spec RHD car here in Germany with no problems.

[dtc100]

Originally Posted by cb1111

and drive though fast food is nearly impossible. The same for toll booths, parking structures and the like.

Well I am so broke I usually carry no money with me, always have to rely on my passenger so to me it would be a huge plus

[dragon20]

thanks for clarifying guys!

Wanted to make sure I was buying the right parts when choosing RHD

All sorted!

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by cb1111

Right hand drive.

In some rural areas of the US where postal carriers deliver from private vehicles, some carriers used to import cars from the UK or Japan. That practice has all but gone away now because of the higher import costs but was pretty common in the 50's and 60's.

Subaru sold a RHD Legacy wagon postal model until 1999. Jeep currently sells a RHD Wrangler Unlimited for the rural mail carrier market.

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Subaru sold a RHD Legacy wagon postal model until 1999. Jeep currently sells a RHD Wrangler Unlimited for the rural mail carrier market.

As did Rambler and later American Motors. I knew about the current Jeep but not bout the Subaru - thanks.