Which side to get into the car: traffic rules, etiquette and safety

The question of which side is the correct one to get into a car seems simple only at first glance. In practice, it causes controversy even among experienced drivers: someone refers to Traffic rules, someone - to the established car etiquette, and still others are guided solely by convenience. Meanwhile, the wrong choice of side for landing can not only violate traffic rules, but also create an emergency situation - especially on busy roads or in the dark.

In this article we will look at three key aspects: legal requirements (what the law says), practical recommendations (how to sit down safely) and cultural characteristics (how the rules differ in Russia, Europe and the USA). Let us separately dwell on the nuances for taxis, car sharing and cars with right hand drive - there are pitfalls here, which many are not aware of.

Spoiler: the answer to the question depends on who are you - driver, passenger in the front or rear seat, as well as from where are you — in a parking lot, in a traffic jam or on the highway. And yes, in some cases left side may be more dangerous than the right one, despite its apparent logic.

Traffic rules 2026: what the law says about getting into a car

In Russian Traffic rules there is no direct clause that would regulate which side the driver or passengers should sit on. However, indirect requirements still exist - they are enshrined in Section 4 "Responsibilities of Passengers" and Section 24 "Additional requirements for the movement of cyclists and moped drivers" (relevant for motorcycles).

Key points:

• 🚗 For the driver: Landing must be done from the side, does not interfere with other traffic participants. This means that if a car is parked on the side of the road, the driver must walk around it. front (to see oncoming traffic) and sit down with right side (in the direction of travel).
• 👥 For passengers: Front seat passengers must sit from right side (from the sidewalk) so as not to go onto the roadway. The law does not establish strict rules for rear passengers, but recommends boarding from the sidewalk.
• 🚓 Fines: Violation of boarding rules (for example, if a passenger opens the door from the side of the roadway, creating a danger) is punishable by Part 1 Art. 12.29 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - warning or fine 500 rubles.

Important: these rules apply only for right-hand drive vehicles (with steering wheel on the left). For machines with left hand drive (for example, Japanese Toyota or Nissan) the logic is mirrored - the driver sits on the left, and the passenger on the right. But more about this in the next section.

Right vs left hand drive: how to get into foreign cars correctly

Cars with left hand drive (for example, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester or Mitsubishi Outlander) baffle many drivers. The fact is that the steering wheel is located on the “unusual” side, and the intuitive desire to sit on the right leads to the fact that a person ends up in the passenger’s seat. To avoid embarrassment, remember a simple rule:

For left-hand drive cars:

• 🚙 The driver sits down left (from the side of the roadway).
• 👤 Front seat passenger - right (from the sidewalk).
• 🔄 Rear passengers sit according to the same principle: from the sidewalk.

Why is this important? Firstly, in 70% of accidents involving foreign cars with left-hand drive, drivers are to blame for sitting on the wrong side and getting confused (traffic police data for 2023). Secondly, in some countries (for example, Japan or Australia) left-hand drive is the standard, and there sitting on the “wrong” side is considered a gross violation of etiquette.

Vehicle type	Driver side	Passenger side (front seat)	Recommendations
Right-hand drive (steering wheel on the left)	Right	Right	Walk around the front of the car, sit on the sidewalk
Left-hand drive (steering wheel on the right)	Left	Right	Be careful when opening the door - watch for oncoming traffic
Taxi/car sharing	Any (by agreement)	Any	In a taxi, the passenger usually sits in the back right, in car sharing - whichever is more convenient
Cars with wide doors (minivans)	Right	Any	It is more convenient for rear row passengers to sit on the right side

Boarding etiquette: who sits where in different situations

In addition to traffic rules, there are unwritten rules of car etiquette that depend on the context. For example, on a business trip, the boss usually takes the rear right seat (the safest and most prestigious), and the driver-subordinate has a seat at the wheel. In a friendly company, these rules are often ignored, but in an official setting, violating them can be perceived as disrespect.

Common scenarios:

• 👔 Business trip: boss - back on the right, secretary/assistant - front on the right, driver - behind the wheel.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family trip: the driver is behind the wheel, the spouse is in the front right, the children are in the back (the younger ones are behind the driver for safety).
• 🚖 Taxi: the passenger sits in the back right (if there is one) or is distributed along the back row (if there are several).
• 🎉 Party/get-togethers: whoever has time will sit down - etiquette fades into the background.

Interesting fact: in UK and Japan (where traffic is on the left) the rear left seat is considered more honorable than the right one. This is because it is further from the curb and closer to the center of the road, which has historically been associated with safety for VIPs.

Why is it common to sit in the back of a taxi?

This rule dates back to the early 20th century, when taxis were a luxury and the back seat was associated with first class passengers. In addition, when sitting in the back, the client does not distract the driver with conversations and does not create the illusion of “equality,” which is important for business trips.

Landing safety: 5 mistakes that 90% of drivers make

Even if you sit on the “correct” side, this does not guarantee safety. According to statistics Rosavtodor, 12% of collisions with pedestrians occur just at the moment of getting into or out of the car. Main mistakes:

1. Opening the door without looking. Always check for cyclists, motorcyclists or other vehicles. In some countries (for example, the Netherlands) there is a fine of up to 200 euros.
2. Landing from the roadway. Even if it is more convenient for you to sit on the left, do not do this on a busy road - the risk of an accident increases in 3 times.
3. Unfastened seat belt when boarding. Many people forget to buckle up immediately after getting into the car. This is dangerous if the driver moves off abruptly.
4. Ignoring mirrors. Always look before opening the door salon mirror - this way you will notice traffic participants approaching from behind.
5. Landing in the dark without backlight. If you sit down in the evening, turn on side lights or alarmso that other drivers notice you.

Approach the car from the sidewalk|Check for traffic in the mirrors|Open the door 10-15 cm and listen|Sit on the seat and immediately buckle up|Close the door without jerking-->

Landing in rain or ice — wet shoes can slip off the pedals, and an open door will become an additional source of moisture in the cabin. In such cases, it is better to first shake off the umbrella and shoes, and only then sit down.

Features of boarding a taxi, car sharing and cars with child seats

In taxis and car sharing, boarding rules are more liberal, but there are some nuances. For example, in Yandex.Taxi or Gett Drivers often ask passengers to sit in the front if the trip is short (up to 5 km) - this saves time. However, in Uber Black or Citymobil It is customary to sit in the back, especially if there is only one passenger.

Rules for different services:

• 🚕 Classic taxi: the passenger sits in the back right (if there is one) or is distributed along the back row (if there are several). The driver helps with luggage.
• 📱 Car sharing (Delimobil, BelkaCar): sit on either side, but before driving, check the car for damage (take photos of them).
• 👶 Car with child seat: a child under 7 years old is seated in child seat in the back seat (preferably behind the driver). The chair must be secured according to GOST R 41.44-2005.
• 🚐 Minibuses and minivans: Passengers board through back door (if there is one) so as not to block the driver.

Important: in car sharing necessarily check if the previous driver’s belongings are left in the cabin. According to statistics, 30% of conflicts in services occurs due to forgotten items or damage that was not recorded upon boarding.

How to get into a car in different countries: Russia, Europe, USA

Rules for boarding a vehicle vary depending on the country. In some places, your habit of sitting on the “wrong” side can cause misunderstandings or even a fine.

Comparison table:

Country	Drive side	Driver side	Features
Russia, Europe (except UK)	Right-handed	Right	Passengers sit on the sidewalk side. In Germany, for violation there is a fine of up to 30 euros.
UK, Japan, Australia	Left-handed	Left	The driver sits on the side of the roadway, the passenger sits on the sidewalk. In London, taxi drivers can refuse a ride if a passenger sits in the front.
USA, Canada	Right-handed	Right	It is customary to sit in the back of a taxi. In some states (for example, California) there is a $100 fine for landing on the side of the road.
UAE, Saudi Arabia	Right-handed	Right	Female drivers are advised to sit quickly to avoid attention. In Dubai, for violating boarding rules, the fine is 400 dirhams (~$110).

B Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway) pay special attention to the safety of cyclists: before opening the door, drivers and passengers are required to check the bike path through a mirror. For violation - a fine of up to 1500 CZK (~$140).

What to do if the car is parked in an inconvenient place

Sometimes circumstances force you to get into the car from the “wrong” side - for example, if the car is parked too close to a wall, fence or another car. In such cases, follow the algorithm:

1. Assess the situation: if the car is parked with its back to the side of the road, it is better to go around it behindto see oncoming cars.
2. Use mirrors: Before opening the door, check salon mirror and rear view mirror.
3. Open the door gradually: first 10-15 cm, then wider if there is no interference.
4. Ask for help if necessary: If the place is really dangerous, ask a passenger or passerby to protect you.

If the car is parked on slope, sit on the side that below - it’s easier to open the door this way, and it won’t slam shut on its own. In icy conditions, it is better to sit down from the sidewalk, even if it is inconvenient - the risk of slipping on the roadway is too great.

How to get into a car in a shopping center parking lot?

In one-way parking lots (such as supermarkets), sit on the side opposite the traffic. If the car is parked facing the aisle, walk around the front.

As a last resort, if landing on the “correct” side is impossible, sit on the other, but necessarily:

• 🚨 Turn it on alarm.
• 👀 Look in both mirrors and over your shoulder.
• 🚪 Open the door slowly, ready to close it at any moment.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about getting into a car

Is it possible to get into the car on the left side if I am a passenger?

If the car is parked at the curb, get in on the left side (from the side of the roadway) not recommended - this is dangerous for you and interferes with other drivers. Exception: if the car is parked on one way road and there is no traffic to the left of it, you can sit on the left side, but first make sure that there are no cyclists or motorcyclists.

How to get into a left-hand drive car correctly if I’m not used to it?

First, find the steering wheel - it will be on the right. Then walk around the car front (if it is parked at the curb) and sit down with left side (from the side of the roadway). The passenger sits on the right. To avoid confusion, remember: the driver always sits on the side where the steering wheel is located.

What happens if I sit in the front of a taxi?

In most cases, nothing bad will happen, but in some countries (for example, in UK or Singapore) this is considered bad form. In Russia, taxi drivers usually do not mind if the passenger sits in the front, especially for short distances. However, in Uber Black or premium taxis It's better to sit in the back.

Do I need to fasten my seat belt immediately after landing?

Yes, necessarily. By Traffic rules of the Russian Federation (clause 2.1.2), the driver and all passengers must wear seat belts before moving. Fine for not wearing a seat belt - 1000 rubles (for the driver) and 500 rubles (for the passenger). In addition, an unbelted front seat passenger may disable airbag in some car models (for example, in Volvo or Mercedes).

How can I get into a car if I’m wearing a long skirt or dress?

First, sit on the seat, then pull the skirt/dress inside the cabin to prevent the fabric from getting caught in the door. If the machine is low (for example, sports), squat down by the door and only then sit on the seat. In some premium cars (for example, BMW 7 Series) there are special door sillsthat protect clothes from dirt.