Roundabouts

Using roundabouts

Roundabouts manage the traffic flow at intersections. They move traffic in one direction around a central island. Vehicles can turn left or right, go straight ahead, or make a full turn (U-turn).

When you approach a roundabout, you must slow down or stop to give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout.

This means giving way to vehicles already in the roundabout on your right, and vehicles that have entered the roundabout from your left or from directly opposite you.

So other drivers know what you intend to do, you must indicate when turning at a roundabout. Continue to indicate as you turn. When you leave, you must indicate left, if practical. Stop indicating as soon as you have left the roundabout.

On multi-lane roundabouts, you must follow the direction of the arrows or signs on the road.

Roundabout signs

These signs warn you that you’re approaching a roundabout:

Turning left

On approach you must indicate left, and turn using the left lane, unless arrows show you can use other lanes to turn left.

You must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

You must continue to indicate left as you turn.

Going straight ahead

On approach, you can use any lane to go straight ahead, unless arrows show the lane is for left or right turns only.

You must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

When you leave, you must indicate left, if practical to do so.

Turning right or making a full turn (U-turn)

On approach you must indicate right, and turn using the right lane, unless arrows show you can use other lanes to turn right.

You must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

You must continue to indicate right as you turn. When you leave, you must indicate left, if practical.

Changing lanes

Plan ahead when approaching a roundabout to avoid changing lanes when you’re in the roundabout.

If you need to change lanes, you must indicate and give way to any vehicle in the lane you’re moving into.

You can only change lanes where there’s a broken white line. You must not change lanes if the line is unbroken.

Always remember to check your blindspot when changing lanes.

Exiting

When exiting a roundabout you must signal left, if it is practical to do so. You must stop indicating as soon as you have exited the roundabout.

When you travel straight ahead on a small single lane roundabout, it may not be practical to indicate left when exiting.

Pedestrians and roundabouts

When turning left or right at a roundabout, you do not have to give way to pedestrians unless there’s a pedestrian crossing.

However, you must always take care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian.

Bicycles and roundabouts

Look out for bicycles on a roundabout. They are entitled to use a full lane.

Bicycle riders must follow the same rules as other drivers on roundabouts. However, on a multi-lane roundabout, they can use the left lane to turn right. When turning, they must give way to vehicles leaving the roundabout.

Look out for bicycles stopped in the left lane who are giving way to vehicles leaving the roundabout.

Roundabouts video

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Video transcript

Road rules: roundabouts

Roundabouts.

Approaching a roundabout.
When you approach a roundabout, you must use your indicator if you intend to turn left or right or make a u-turn at the roundabout. You must give other road users sufficient notice of your intent to turn.

Entering a roundabout.
When entering a roundabout, you must slow or stop to give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout. You must also continue to use your indicators if you intend to turn left or right or make a u-turn.

Turning left.
When turning left, you must indicate left on approach and be travelling in the left-hand lane unless there are road markings with other instructions, stay in the left lane and exit in the left lane.

Turning right.
When turning right, you must indicate right on approach and be travelling in the right-hand lane, unless there are road markings with other instructions.

Making a u-turn.
When using a roundabout to make a u-turn, you must approach in the right lane and signal right.

Changing lanes in a roundabout.
Drivers may change lanes in a roundabout if they wish, the usual road rules for changing lanes apply. You must use your indicator and give way to any vehicle in the lane you are entering.

Going straight ahead.
You don't need to signal when approaching the roundabout if you are going straight ahead. You may approach the roundabout from either the left or right lane, unless there are road markings with other instructions.

Exiting a roundabout.
As when you exit a road, you must signal left when leaving a roundabout, if it is practical to do so, and you should stop indicating as soon as you have exited the roundabout. However, when you are travelling straight ahead on a small single-lane roundabout, it may be impractical to indicate when exiting.