Can You Drive a Right-Hand Drive Car in the US?

Right-hand drive vehicles, with the steering wheel on the right side of the car, are a rare sight on American roads, mostly seen as imported classics and specialty vehicles.

If you’re considering driving or importing a right-hand drive car into the U.S., you must understand the legal requirements and practical challenges involved.

In the article below, we explore the regulations surrounding right-hand drive vehicles in the U.S., the process of importing them, and the implications of driving a car designed for left-side traffic.

Is it Legal to Drive a Right-Hand Drive Car in the US?

As driving on the right-hand side of the road is compulsory in the U.S., you may wonder: is it even legal to drive a right-hand drive vehicle here? The short answer is yes, but it’s not quite that simple. While there’s no federal law explicitly banning right-hand drive vehicles on American roads, there are some important considerations that potential right-hand drive drivers need to understand.

Compliance with Federal Safety and Emissions Standards

First and foremost, your right-hand drive vehicle must meet all of the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). These standards cover a comprehensive range of safety aspects, including crashworthiness, lighting and signaling, tires and wheels, braking signals, glazing, restraint systems, and emissions standards. These requirements help to ensure that vehicles on U.S. roads provide a certain level of protection for drivers, their passengers, and other road users.

If your right-hand drive car doesn’t meet the FMVSS then you will need to make modifications to bring it into compliance. This can be a complex and often expensive process, requiring specialized knowledge and resources. It may include modifications such as safety system upgrades, glass replacement, headlight conversions, bumper and crash protection modifications, and emissions system adjustments. Following these modifications, your vehicle may need to undergo further testing to certify its compliance so this can take some time.

What Is the 25-Year Rule and How is it Relevant?

The 25-year rule provides an exemption to the FMVSS for vehicles that are at least 25 years old. This means that if your right-hand drive car was manufactured 25 or more years ago, it can be legally imported and registered in the US without needing to meet modern safety and emissions regulations.

This exemption is especially relevant for owners of classic or rare vehicles, for example, Japanese sports cars, British imports, and Australian vehicles as these can be legally driven in the U.S. without requiring costly modifications or compliance testing.

Consider State Regulations

You will also need to consider any state-specific regulations before registering and driving your right-hand drive car in the United States. Certain states have stricter inspection standards that any imported vehicles must meet. For instance, California has stringent CARB (California Air Resources Board) emissions requirements that may make it more difficult to register an imported right-hand drive car. This means that your right-hand vehicle may need to be modified or have special certifications to comply with local Californian laws.

It is always a good idea to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to ensure compliance with state laws and avoid any registration issues.

What Are the Insurance and Registration Considerations for Right-Hand Drive Vehicles in the US?

When it comes to insuring and registering your right-hand drive car in the United States, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:

Insurance Coverage

As right-hand drive vehicles are less common in the United States, they are often classified as specialty or exotic vehicles. This can lead to higher premiums as the insurance companies factor in the potential for higher repair costs and the unique challenges these vehicles may present on the roads compared to standard left-hand drive (LHD) cars.

Some mainstream insurance companies may even be unwilling to insure right-hand drive vehicles, or may only offer you limited coverage.

Vehicle Registration

The registration process for right-hand drive vehicles can vary from state to state. Some states may require additional inspections, while others might have more relaxed rules for older vehicles or those imported under specific exemptions, for example, the 25-year rule.

You will need to follow the same registration procedure as if you were registering a left-hand drive vehicle, but you must also provide a bill of sale and title and import documents.

When registering your vehicle in the US, you will also need to show proof of insurance, so make sure that your policy adequately covers your right-hand drive car.

What are the Challenges of Driving a Right-Hand Drive Car in the U.S.?

While driving a right-hand drive car in the U.S. is legal, it comes with unique challenges due to the country’s right-hand traffic system. For drivers accustomed to the left seat, transitioning to an RHD vehicle requires adapting to a new driving perspective.

Some difficulties that you may encounter when driving your right-hand drive car in the United States include:

Visibility Challenges

In a right-hand drive car, the steering column is positioned on the opposite side compared to standard left-hand drive cars in the U.S., as is common in most countries that follow a left-hand traffic system. This positioning can make it challenging to see oncoming traffic when attempting to overtake another vehicle, especially on highways.

Navigating these visibility problems requires extra caution and good judgment when passing, merging onto highways, or making left-hand turns.

Drive-Throughs and Toll Booths

Drive-through lanes and toll booths have mostly been designed to accommodate left-hand drive cars. This means that the service windows and payment machines are typically positioned on the left side of the car, allowing LHD drivers to access them easily. So, if you are driving your right-hand drive car, you will need to stretch across to the other side of the vehicle or rely on a passenger to assist with reaching these systems.

Navigating Parking Lots

Similarly, many parking lots, garages, and driveways are designed for left-hand drive vehicles. From accessing ticket machines to aligning your car in narrow spaces, it may be more challenging to navigate parking lots and structures that have been designed with LHD cars in mind.

How to Import a Right-Hand Drive Vehicle into the United States

If you are looking to import your right-hand drive car into the United States, you will need to consider several important factors to ensure a smooth and legal import process.

Here is a brief overview of the procedure:

1. Confirm Eligibility

Before shipping your right-hand drive car into the U.S. you will need to confirm its import eligibility as you would have to with any other car. There are specific regulations and exemptions that could apply, depending on your vehicle’s age and history so you will need to research the facts carefully.

Be sure to find out information about regulations in both the U.S. and any neighbouring countries you might be shipping through.

2. Sort Out the Paperwork

Next, you will need to gather together the appropriate documentation for importing your right-hand drive car.

This typically includes:

• Bill of Lading
• Proof of Ownership
• Proof of the right-hand drive car’s age
• EPA Form 3520-1 (to show compliance with Environmental Protection Agency requirements)
• DOT Form HS-7 (to declare FMVSS compliance or exemption)
• Customs Entry Forms

3. Prepare Your Right-Hand Drive Car for Shipping

After sorting out all of the relevant documents, you will need to choose a reliable international shipping company and decide on your preferred car shipping method. You must also ensure that your right-hand drive car is clean and free of foreign soil to meet U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.

4. Navigate Customs Clearance

Once your right-hand drive car arrives at a U.S. port of entry, it must go through the customs clearance process. If it meets all import requirements, you will be required to pay the necessary import duties and fees. Once these fees have been paid, U.S. Customs will issue a release document, allowing you to proceed with registering your vehicle.

If your car requires modifications, these will generally need to be carried out before it can be legally driven.

5. Register the Vehicle

Once your shipped car has cleared customs, you will need to register it with the relevant state’s DMV. This process may include additional fees and paperwork. At this point, you should also find a suitable insurance provider that is willing to provide cover for your right-hand drive car.

Shipping Your Right-Hand Drive Car With CFR Classic

Are you getting ready to import your right-hand drive vehicle into the U.S.? While this process can be complex, CFR Classic can simplify it for you, helping to ensure your vehicle meets all federal and state requirements, manage customs clearance, and handle every detail of shipping—so you can enjoy a stress-free import experience.

Get in touch with us today to get a free quote and start the process of importing your right-hand drive car into the United States with confidence.