- adam32281
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24
RHD Isn’t as Scary as You Think — You’re Just Overthinking It.
Let’s talk about Right-Hand Drive.
One of the first things I hear from curious (but hesitant) buyers is: “But isn’t it weird driving on the other side?”
Or:
“These cars and prices are amazing… but I just don’t think I could handle RHD.”
Or even:
“But we drive on the right side of the road in Canada!!”
I get it. The idea of driving from the other side of the car seems foreign. And for most Canadians, it is — we’ve been trained since birth to sit on the left and steer with our left hand on the wheel and our right hand on the shifter. So yeah, the thought of flipping that can feel uncomfortable. At first.
But let me hit you with some truth:
Driving a RHD vehicle is not hard. You’re just overthinking it.
I say this with love — and with real-world experience importing and driving more JDM cars than I can count.
I’ve Been in Your Shoes
Before starting JDM Rush Imports, I was just like you — a guy searching for a better vehicle at a fair price in a broken market. When I started diving into the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), I was amazed by what was available. Lower mileage. Rust-free. Reliable. Unique. Affordable.
But even I had a moment where I asked myself, “Can I really get used to driving RHD?”
Spoiler: I could. And I did. Fast.
The reality is, it took me maybe 30 minutes before it felt totally normal. You adapt faster than you think. Humans are smart like that. It’s not like learning to drive all over again — it’s the exact same process, just mirrored slightly.
What’s Actually Different About RHD?
Let me break down what’s actually different about driving RHD in Canada — and what’s exactly the same.
DIFFERENT:
You sit on the right instead of the left.
You shift with your left hand (unless you get an auto).
Your blind spots and shoulder checks are flipped.
SAME:
You drive on the right side of the road.
The gas is still on the right, brake in the middle, clutch on the left.
Signal and wipers are sometimes reversed (you’ll accidentally wipe instead of blink a few times… then never again).
You still shoulder check, follow signs, drive defensively, and obey traffic laws.
It’s kind of like switching from an iPhone to Android. There’s a learning curve, but once you’ve used it a few times, you forget why you were so nervous in the first place.
The Real Problem? Fear of Change.
Most people who say “I don’t think I could handle RHD” are really saying:
“I’m scared to try something different.”
And you know what? That’s normal. But that fear is also holding you back.
We’re living in a time where vehicle prices are hitting all-time highs. Domestic used cars are rusted out, beat up, and still selling for a fortune. And with the Trump administration threatening to reintroduce cross-border tariffs, prices could go even higher. It’s a tough time to be a car buyer in Canada.
Unless you’re willing to think a little differently.
That’s where RHD JDM cars come in — and where opportunity lives. For the price of a worn-out Civic on a Winnipeg lot, you could be driving a low-mileage, rust-free, beautifully maintained Toyota Crown Athlete that turns heads and runs like a dream.
All you have to do is be open to change.
Don’t Take My Word for It — Take Theirs
We’ve helped a lot of Canadians make the leap into RHD — people from all walks of life, from hardcore car enthusiasts to hockey dads to first-time car buyers. They were nervous too.
Now? They wouldn’t go back.
Final Thoughts: Try It, Don’t Fear It
If you’re on the fence, that’s okay. But let me challenge you: don’t let fear keep you from unlocking serious value and fun.
Test drive a RHD if you can. Talk to one of our customers. Heck, come visit me and sit in one of our imports — I’ll even let you take it around the block.
And remember: change feels weird at first. But sometimes, weird is wonderful.
Ready to Explore the RHD Life?
Visit our Get Started page and let us show you just how easy importing your JDM dream can be.
And if you’ve still got questions, contact us any time. We’re real people who love helping other real people do cool car things.
Learn more about the incredible world of JDM’s and get unique information and insights on our Blog.
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