Right-hand drive (RHD) cars for sale from Japan cover a catalogue of models, grades, and specifications that never reached most other markets. While not all vehicles from Japan are RHD, Japanese-brand vehicles built for the Japanese domestic market are, which means the JDM vehicles we source at auction, from sports cars to kei trucks to off-road wagons, come with the steering wheel on the right as standard.
It’s a non-issue in countries that already drive on the left side of the road, but in countries that drive on the right, it raises a pretty common question: can you legally import and register it? The answer depends on where you live, and it is usually simpler than buyers expect.
This page covers the import and registration position for RHD vehicles by country so you know exactly where you stand before committing to a bid. If you are looking for left-hand drive cars from Japan (European models sold new on the Japanese market), we cover those separately.
The table below shows whether you can import a right-hand drive vehicle from Japan into your country and the main rule that governs eligibility. It’s not a full import guide.
Import regulations change, and details like documentation requirements, inspection standards, and applicable taxes vary. Confirm the current position with our agent before placing a bid. We check this for every buyer as part of the process.
What side of the car the steering wheel’s on isn’t what determines whether you can import a vehicle into the United States. Right-hand drive vehicles are already on the roads throughout the U.S., including in commercial and mail delivery applications. Federal import law does not prohibit RHD. The barrier is compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards and emissions regulations.
A vehicle not originally manufactured to meet those standards is generally only importable once it reaches 25 years from its date of manufacture. At that point, it qualifies for exemption from federal safety, bumper, theft prevention, and emissions requirements under the regulations administered by NHTSA and the EPA.
The 25-year threshold is rolling. It advances every month. A vehicle qualifies once 25 full years have passed since the month it was manufactured. This is not tied to model year or calendar year. As of mid-2026, vehicles manufactured before approximately mid-2001 are eligible.
Once a vehicle clears federal import, the owner still needs to register it for road use in their state. Inspection and titling procedures differ by state. Some states have additional requirements for vehicles not originally sold domestically. Buyers should verify their own state’s process before purchasing.
Kei vehicles are a separate and more contested case in certain states. Federal import eligibility and state-level road registration are two distinct questions, and some states restrict on-road kei truck use regardless of federal clearance. Read our article on kei truck legalization status by state for the current position.
For more on importing to the USA, including what to expect at the port, visit our destination page. We also cover the US tariffs on JDM imports and the tariff exemption that applies to vehicles qualifying under the 25-year rule. Our page on JDM cars over 25 years old covers what becomes available as the rolling date advances.
Canada applies a shorter age threshold than the United States. Vehicles 15 years or older from the date of manufacture may be imported, as administered through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV). Right-hand drive is permitted. There is no federal ban on RHD vehicles in Canada.
The 15-year rule opens a much wider range of Japanese vehicles to Canadian buyers than the US 25-year threshold allows. Models from the early 2010s that remain years away from US eligibility are already importable to Canada.
Provincial registration and inspection requirements do vary. Each province sets its own safety inspection standards, and some have additional procedures for imported vehicles. Quebec applies a restriction on RHD vehicles under 25 years old, though vehicles 25 years or older may be imported and registered there.
Canadian buyers benefit from tariff relief under the CPTPP trade agreement on qualifying Japanese-brand vehicles, though the reduction varies by vehicle category. Our agent will confirm the current position for your specific vehicle.
We also offer a premium import service for Canada that handles additional steps on the Canadian side.
Germany, Finland, and Poland all drive on the right. Importing and registering a right-hand drive vehicle is possible in each, though the process involves meeting equipment and approval requirements that do not apply in RHD-native countries.
The general shape is similar across the three markets. Headlights designed for driving on the left produce a beam pattern that can dazzle oncoming traffic when driving on the right. Most European registration processes require the beam pattern to be adjusted, either through headlight replacement or adaptation. Mirror positioning, rear fog light placement, and reflector configurations may also be checked.
Each country runs its own form of approval or registration inspection for individually imported vehicles. The specific procedure, the standards applied, and the documentation required differ between Germany, Finland, and Poland. The process is not a simple form. It involves inspection, potential modification, and proof of compliance before plates are issued.
None of this makes RHD import impossible. Buyers do it regularly. It means you should budget for headlight conversion and approval costs, and you should confirm the current requirements with your agent before bidding. We walk European buyers through what to expect based on the destination country.
Finland has become an increasingly active destination for Japanese vehicles. Read more about that market in our post on hot and new destinations, Finland.
In countries that drive on the left, the steering wheel being on the right is simply normal. The drive-side question disappears entirely, and the relevant considerations become vehicle age, emissions compliance, and safety standards.
United Kingdom
RHD is standard. A Japanese import faces no drive-side obstacle. Vehicles over a certain age require only an MOT to be registered for road use. Newer vehicles involve a more involved approval process. Our United Kingdom destination page covers what applies, and we have a dedicated section on kei vehicles for the UK for buyers looking at that category.
Australia
RHD is standard. Import eligibility is governed by a compliance and approval framework with specific pathways depending on vehicle age and type. Older vehicles qualify for exemption from the full compliance process. See our Australia page for the current position.
New Zealand
RHD is standard. Entry certification, a compliance check, and specific safety requirements apply. New Zealand has long been one of the largest markets for used Japanese vehicles. Details on our New Zealand page.
Kenya and East Africa
RHD is standard across most of East Africa. Age limits on import are the primary constraint rather than the drive side. Kenya is a significant market for JCD. See our pages on Kenya and vehicles for East Africa for specifics.
Several other left-hand drive countries we ship to present no drive-side obstacle at all because they also drive on the left. Cyprus drives on the left as a legacy of British administration. In the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad, Jamaica, St Lucia, and Grenada all drive on the left, making RHD vehicles a natural fit. Other Caribbean territories drive on the right, so the region is not uniform on this point.
We ship well beyond the countries listed in the table above. Rules in left-hand drive countries vary widely, change periodically, and sometimes differ between federal and provincial or state levels. Rather than guess at positions we cannot verify here, we confirm the current import and registration requirements for your specific destination before you commit to a bid. That is part of what we do.
If you don’t see your country listed above, contact us with your destination and the vehicle type you’re interested in, and we’ll confirm what applies to your location. You can also browse our other countries page for an overview of additional markets.
The Japanese domestic market produced models, engine options, trim levels, and body configurations that were never exported.
Vehicles like the Nissan Skyline, Nissan Silvia, Toyota Supra, Toyota Chaser, Land Cruiser 70 Series, Toyota Hiace, Mitsubishi Delica, and the full range of kei trucks and vans were either Japan-only or offered in significantly different specifications overseas. Importing RHD from Japan is often the only way to get them.
Condition is the second draw. Japan’s mandatory shaken inspection system requires vehicles to meet a strict mechanical and safety standard at regular intervals. Repair and maintenance costs in Japan are high relative to vehicle replacement costs, which pushes owners toward keeping vehicles well maintained or replacing them early.
Many vehicles entering the auction system carry complete service histories and present conditions that could surprise many buyers in markets with less structured inspection regimes.
Vehicles at Japanese dealer auctions are graded on an inspection sheet that records body condition, interior wear, mechanical state, and odometer reading. We’ll translate those sheets for you. We also offer an auction video walkthrough and can arrange third-party inspections for additional confidence. Learn how to interpret grades on our auction sheets page.
Buying at auction removes the retail markup layer that a domestic dealer would add. You pay the auction hammer price plus our service fee and export costs. The catalogue spans every category: drift cars, performance vehicles, touring wagons, off-road platforms, commercial vehicles, and the full kei trucks and vans range.
Below are recent right-hand drive vehicles we have sourced at auction and shipped to buyers around the world. These are examples of what passes through the system, not a live inventory list. Models, grades, and destinations vary week to week. If you see something similar to what you want, tell your agent and we will search for one.
See everything we exported this year for a fuller picture.
This is the practical question behind every RHD import into North America or continental Europe, and it deserves an honest answer.
Overtaking on two-lane roads may take some getting used to. You can’t see past the vehicle ahead as easily from the right seat. Passengers can help, mirrors can be added, and many owners simply avoid risky passes. It requires adjustment, not a special skill, but it is a big difference when you get out on the road.
Drive-through windows, toll booths, parking garage ticket machines, and bank ATMs are positioned for the driver on the left side of the vehicle. You’ll have to reach across, lean over, or get out. Most don’t even notice after the first week.
Some applications actually benefit from RHD in a left-hand traffic country. Mail delivery, rural newspaper routes, and curbside work put the driver closer to the sidewalk. This is why USPS vehicles are right-hand drive.
Headlights designed for left-side traffic aim their beam pattern to illuminate the left shoulder. Used on the right side of the road, that pattern can direct light into oncoming traffic. Depending on your country’s registration requirements, you may need to replace or adapt the headlight units.
Insurance is something to confirm before purchase, not after. Coverage availability, terms, and pricing for imported RHD vehicles vary by insurer and by market, so it’s a good idea to contact your insurance company with the specific vehicle details before you bid.
The process follows three stages.
1. Discover and Select
Register for the search engine and tell your agent what you are looking for: the model, your budget, and your destination country. We search 120+ weekly dealer auctions across Japan and available dealer stock. When vehicles matching your requirements appear, we send you translated auction sheets and photos. Our glossary of import terms covers any unfamiliar terminology you encounter.
2. Inspect and Secure
Review the vehicle details and request an additional auction inspection if you want a third-party professional to confirm the condition. Set your maximum bid and send the refundable deposit. We bid on your behalf.
3. Export and Delivery
After winning, we handle deregistration, the export certificate, port transport, and vessel booking. You receive documentation and guidance for clearing customs at your destination.
Full details on each step are on our how to buy page. Ready to start? Register for the search engine and we will be in touch.
Are right-hand drive cars legal in the United States?
Right-hand drive vehicles are not prohibited by US federal law. RHD cars are used domestically in commercial and private applications. The import barrier for Japanese vehicles is compliance with federal safety and emissions standards, not the steering wheel position. Vehicles 25 years or older from manufacture qualify for exemption from those standards.
How old does an RHD car have to be to import into the US?
The vehicle must be 25 years or older from its month and year of manufacture, not its model year. This threshold advances every month. A vehicle manufactured in September 2001 becomes eligible in September 2026, for example. There is no fixed model-year cutoff. Verify the current date against your target vehicle’s build date before bidding.
Can I import an RHD car into Canada?
Yes. Canada permits right-hand drive vehicles and applies a 15-year age threshold for import eligibility, counted from the date of manufacture. This makes a significantly wider range of Japanese vehicles available to Canadian buyers compared to the US. Provincial registration and inspection requirements vary. Quebec restricts RHD vehicles under 25 years old.
Can I register a right-hand drive car in Germany, Finland or Poland?
Registration of RHD vehicles is possible in all three countries, though each requires an approval process involving headlight adaptation and equipment inspection. Requirements and procedures differ by country. Confirm the current process with our agent and budget for headlight conversion and any required modifications before bidding.
Is it hard to drive a right-hand drive car on the right side of the road?
It requires adjustment rather than special skill. Overtaking on two-lane roads needs more caution because forward visibility is reduced from the right seat. Drive-throughs and toll booths are on the wrong side. Most owners adapt within a few days of regular driving. It is a trade-off rather than an obstacle. See our frequently asked questions page for more.
Can I get insurance for an imported RHD vehicle?
Coverage availability varies by insurer and by market. Some insurers cover imported RHD vehicles without issue. Others may decline or apply different terms. This is something to confirm directly with your insurer before purchasing, not after the vehicle arrives. Provide them with the vehicle’s specifications, origin, and intended use when requesting a quote.
Are all cars from Japan right-hand drive?
No. Japanese-brand vehicles built for the Japanese domestic market are right-hand drive. However, many European models were only ever produced in left-hand drive and were sold new in Japan regardless. We can source both. See our page on left-hand drive cars from Japan for that side of the catalogue.
Do you have RHD cars in stock?
Japan Car Direct is an export agent, not a dealership holding inventory. We source vehicles at Japanese dealer auctions and from domestic dealers on your behalf. You tell us what you want, we find it, and we handle the entire export process. This gives you access to a far wider selection than any single lot could hold, with vehicle condition documented on the auction sheet before you commit.
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