Roundabouts – the basics Roundabouts – positioning and signalling
Vehicles circle roundabouts in a clockwise direction and approaching Rule of thumb at two-lane roundabouts:
traffic gives way to traffic on the right.
Approach routine Going left: When taking the first exit
The normal MSPSL junction routine should be used on the approach. to your left, approach in the left lane
with your left signal on. Keep in this
Look out for road signs and road markings to help you plan how to
lane on the roundabout & continue
position and signal (positioning and signalling rules overleaf).
signalling left to leave.
Roundabouts are usually open junctions so you should be able to
time your arrival with a gap if you follow two golden rules:
1. approach slowly 2. look early. Going right: When taking
a right exit, or doing a u-turn,
Check your exit approach in the right lane with
You must not queue on a roundabout, so if there isn’t room for you your right signal on. Keep in this lane
in the exit road, wait at the give way line until there is. until you need to change lanes to exit.
Signal left to leave once you have passed
Finding a gap the exit before the one you want. If the
When deciding if it is safe to join the roundabout, try to identify exit road has two lanes, exit in the left
who is, and who is not, a threat to you. Cars heading towards you hand lane when possible.
are a threat while vehicles signalling left to turn into the road you
12 o’clock rule
are coming out of are not. However, bear in mind that vehicles Going ahead: (ie an intermediate exit
sometimes signal incorrectly, so also take into account their position positioned at 12 o’clock or beforehand)
An easy way to decide which lane to
approach in is to think of the roundabout
and speed, where their wheels are pointing & where the driver is Approach in the left lane without a signal, as a clock face where you enter at 6pm.
looking. If in doubt, wait and see. stay in the left lane on the roundabout. If your exit road is on 12pm or before
12pm, then approach in the left lane –
Signal left to leave after passing the exit if it is after 12pm, use the right lane.
Look for blockers before the one you want.
A blocker is a vehicle on the roundabout which exits into your road,
blocking the path of the cars on your right, therefore creating a
gap for you. When using a blocker, make sure you move off a few Exception to the rule: roundabouts with no right exit
seconds before the cars waiting on your right have a chance to.
If you are going ahead at a roundabout that has no right exit,
it’s best to use the right hand lane on the approach and
Pass your test with: on the roundabout because nobody will be using that lane
to turn right. This leaves the left-hand lane free for
Wycombe Driving School vehicles turning left, allowing optimum traffic flow.
01494 718888 Often the exit road is only wide enough for one vehicle, so
always check nobody is under-cutting you before you leave.
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