Oh yeah.. If it's a PA 28, make sure there are brakes on both sides!
Hell, before I had my own plane I flew the local flying school's PA28 and it had brakes on NO sides.
All it had was that great big johnson bar under the dash to stop.
On the topic of RH vs LH, the sight picture is different on the right. I do routinely take my teen-aged son up and get him to fly left seat, and I let him take over in cruise and I have him practice basic maneuvers. But before I did so I went up with another pilot and practiced and if it's been a while I'll go up with my flying buddy and practice it again.
Beech