How to Handle Roundabouts
Roundabouts keep traffic flowing smoothly, but they also test your ability to judge speed, choose lanes, and signal clearly. Get these basics right and they become second nature.
The full guide
The single rule that governs every roundabout is straightforward: give way to traffic already circulating, which means anything coming from your right. Before you commit, look right and ahead. If a vehicle is approaching from your right, hold back. If the way is clear, proceed without dawdling.
Your approach speed matters. Slow down early enough that you can read the road signs, lane markings, and the flow of vehicles already on the roundabout. Rushing the approach leaves you with split-second decisions and poor lane choices.
Lane selection depends on where you are leaving. For the first exit left, keep left and signal left as you approach. For straight ahead, usually stay in the left lane unless road markings tell you otherwise, and do not signal on the approach. For right turns or full circuits, move to the right lane and signal right early.
As you pass the exit before the one you want, signal left. This tells everyone — the examiner included — where you are heading. Stay disciplined in your lane. If you drift across markings or change lanes without reason, you will be marked. If you realise you are in the wrong lane, stay in it and circle round again. Never cut across traffic to reach your exit.
Common faults
- Forcing your way in when vehicles from the right have priority
- Choosing the wrong lane for a straight-ahead exit
- Signalling left too early on approach, confusing others
- Hesitating at a clear gap and holding up traffic behind
- Drifting between lanes without mirror checks
- Cutting sharply across lane markings to reach an exit
- Leaving a signal on after exiting, misleading following drivers
What the examiner looks for
- You reduce speed early and assess the roundabout well before reaching it
- You give way correctly and move off promptly when safe
- You pick the right lane for your intended exit and hold it
- You time your left signal correctly — after passing the previous exit
- You check mirrors before any lane movement inside the roundabout
- You stay smooth and controlled, not rushed or hesitant
Quick tips
- 1Repeat 'right has priority' aloud as you approach — it builds muscle memory
- 2Painted spiral lines guide you — trust them and stay in your lane
- 3Commit to a gap once you have judged it; second-guessing causes hesitation
- 4The examiner wants safe, not spectacular — avoid hero moves
- 5Wrong lane? Complete the circle and try again — corrections are fine, risky lane changes are not
Common questions about how to handle roundabouts
What should I do if I am in the wrong lane?
Do I signal at mini roundabouts?
How do spiral markings help?
Should I always stop before entering?
What if a large lorry is on the roundabout?
How do I handle a busy multi-lane roundabout?
Ready to put this into practice?
These guides are a great starting point, but nothing replaces working with a DVSA-approved instructor who can give you real-time feedback.