Driving & Driving Test Tips: Left Hand and Right Hand Driving - ( Regarding 4 Wheeler Automobiles), wheel brakes, left hand drive

Question
Dear Mark

This is regarding Left Hand and Right Hand Driving.

As we see most of the countries, follow the Right Hand Drive.
i.e In 4 Wheelers like cars, trucks, lorries, Buses etc the Steering wheel design of the vehicle is on the right side so that the driver sits on the right hand side, does a overtake of another vehicle from the right hand side. But there are also few countries which follow the left hand drive method.

There are four queries from my side.

1. In both the cases, the traffic signs will be same, or will there be some traffic sign posts which will be different ?. Traffic signposts for examples : U-turn, Zebra crossing, No Parking zone, silence zone, steep curve ahead etc.
2. Which in these some countries do they follow the left hand drive method ? Do you feel the right hand drive method should be standardized i.e common throughout the world i.e in all countries ?
3. Apart from Right Hand Steering wheel , brakes, clutches, gears, accelerator placement for the right hand drive vehicle and Left Hand Steering wheel , brakes, clutches, gears, accelerator parts placement for the Left hand drive vehicle what are the
other changes in Vehicle Design ?. i.e Will there be changes also in Motor engine placement area , battery placement area, fuels storage area etc ?
4.Will the cost of a left hand and right hand drive vehicle different ?

Awaiting your inputs,

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

Answer
1. signage is going to depend on the country.  Each country has different signage.  Many are universal but others will be unique to that country.

2. left or right hand side of the roadway is also dependent on the country and you can go on line to find out about which countries require left or right hand travel.  I do not know of any database or book that spells out this information for every country in the world.

I grew up with left hand drivers seats and driving on the right side of the roadway in the U.S.  I do not think it can be standardized because the individual countries make up their own minds as to this issue.

3.  yes the equipment has to be moved around from one side to the other to accompdate the sterring equipments location in the engine compartment.

4. I do not know the answer to this questin in that I have never tried to buy a comparable right hand drive vehicle verses a left hand drive model.