RHD stands for Right Hand Drive. It refers to a type of vehicle configuration where the driver's seat is located on the right-hand side of the vehicle's cabin, typically in countries where vehicles are driven on the left-hand side of the road. In RHD vehicles, the steering wheel is also positioned on the right side, opposite to vehicles in Left Hand Drive (LHD) countries.
RHD vehicles are commonly found in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, and several other nations where road traffic operates on the left side. These countries generally follow a system where the driver sits on the side of the vehicle closest to the center of the road, providing better visibility for overtaking and navigating sharp bends. RHD vehicles are manufactured with the controls and gauges adjusted according to this configuration, with the clutch, brake, and accelerator pedal positions being switched from the usual LHD setup.
RHD vehicles are often imported to countries with a left-hand driving system, primarily for specific purposes like postal services, rural deliveries, and special vehicles like fire engines, construction vehicles, or vintage automobiles. However, the challenges associated with adapting to a different driving position and increased costs in vehicle modifications often limit the widespread use of RHD vehicles in countries with predominantly LHD traffic systems.
