Roundabouts are everywhere in the UK and there’s a good chance that roundabouts will be on your driving test route.

 

The driving test often involves taking the most challenging roundabouts in your area. These can vary from small mini roundabouts to big multi-lane ones.

 

Types of Roundabout

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There are 2 main types of roundabouts - normal and mini. A red triangle warning sign (above) precedes roundabouts alerting drivers of their presence. In the case of mini-roundabouts, the sign may be blue with white arrows. In both cases the process of navigating the roundabout is the same, although for mini ones you may want to complete the process slower.

 

Roundabout Process

Approaching traffic must always give-way to traffic already on the roundabout approaching from the right.

 

Roundabouts are a form of junction and must be approached in a similar way as a T Junction. Whilst driving, look out for any road signs that tell you a roundabout is ahead. Locating a roundabout at the earliest opportunity will give you more time to prepare in advance. Similarly to junctions, you can find open and closed roundabouts.

 

Open And Closed Roundabouts

A closed roundabout can make it very difficult to see traffic approaching from the right and will often require stopping as you reach the junction line. Closed roundabouts are often smaller and found in residential areas.

 

An open roundabout makes it very clear to see what traffic is on the roundabout as you approach and may reduce the need to stop your vehicle if everything is clear. It’s important that the speed that you approach a roundabout is determined by what you see. The less you can see, the slower you go.

 

MSPSL

As when approaching junctions, the MSPSL routine will need to be employed to successfully navigate a roundabout. The Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed and Look routine on approach to a roundabout must be completed every time but may vary slightly depending on the exit you are taking from the roundabout.

 

Process for Turning Left At A Roundabout

Your driving instructor will either give you directions such as "at the roundabout, turn left, first exit", or you may navigate a roundabout as part of independent driving using road signs or Sat Nav.

 

The process for turning left is as follows:

 

Mirrors and Signal

Look into your interior mirror, followed by your left wing mirror and signal to the left. Be wary of junctions before the roundabout as signalling too early can lead to confusion amongst other drivers.

 

Position

Ensure you remain in the left lane for the entirety of the roundabout. If there is only one lane, treat the roundabout as if it has two and stay left on approach..

 

Speed

Slow down on approach and assess if it is safe to go. Base your approach speed on how much you can see and don’t be afraid to keep going if things look clear..

 

Look

Give way to any traffic coming from the right on the roundabout. Be wary of staring too much to the right or you may lose your positioning in the road and start to steer right. If you need to stop, stop before the junction line, put the handbrake on if necessary and get ready to go.

 

If clear, continue onto the roundabout in the outside/left lane. When you have taken the exit road, ensure you cancel your signal.

 

Going Straight Ahead At A Roundabout Process

Your driving instructor may give you the instruction: "at the roundabout, go straight ahead, second exit". Be wary, however, that the straight ahead exit may not be the second exit and may be the one closest to the 12 O’Clock position when looked at from above or on the roundabout sign.

 

The process for going straight ahead is as follows:

 

Mirrors

The interior mirror needs to be checked initially as you get closer to the roundabout to spot hazards approaching from behind.

 

Signal

No signal is required on approach to the roundabout but the centre mirror and left door mirror should be checked and a left signal given when the car passes the exit prior to the one you will be leaving the roundabout at.

 

Position

Following the road ahead usually requires use of the left lane although this is determined by road markings or signs on approach. If there are no signs, you should stay in the left lane on approach and while on the roundabout. If there is only one lane, treat the roundabout as if there are two lanes and stick to the left.

 

Speed and Look

Check if the roundabout is open or closed as this will determine your speed of approach. If you are unsure, slow right down or stop at the junction line if necessary. Keep your head moving on approach and look ahead as well as to the right.

 

Navigating the Roundabout

Just after the exit prior to the one you are going to leave the roundabout at, look into the interior mirror, followed by the left door mirror and signal to the left. Once the roundabout has been exited, ensure you cancel the signal.

 

Turning Right At a Roundabout Process

Your driving instructor may give you the instruction "at the roundabout, turn right, third exit". Be wary, however, that there may be more than one right exit and it may not be the third exit you are taking.

 

Any exit to the right of 12 O’Clock on the roundabout sign (including a complete U Turn) is considered a right, so it’s important to listen to the instruction and count exits as you travel around the roundabout.

 

The process for going right at a roundabout is as follows:

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Mirrors

Look into the interior mirror followed by the right wing mirror as soon as you see the roundabout.

 

Signal

Signal to the right on approach but be wary of other junctions before the roundabout as this can confuse other road users.

 

Position

Approaching the roundabout will usually require taking the right hand lane. An alternative lane is only required if road markings or signs tell you otherwise. If there is only one lane you still need to treat it as if there are two and stick to the right.

 

Speed and Look

Establish if the roundabout is open or closed and use appropriate speed based on what you can or can’t see. If in any doubt, always stop just before the junction line.

 

Navigating the Roundabout

When clear, continue using the right hand lane until the previous exit has been passed. Then, look into the interior mirror, followed by the left door mirror and signal to the left.

 

If there are 2 lanes on the roundabout or the exit has 2 lanes, check the left blind spot without craning your neck and move over to the left hand lane if it is safe to do so. If not, stay in the right hand lane and look to move to the left hand lane when it is safe to do so. 

 

Upon exiting the roundabout, ensure the signal is cancelled in good time.

 

What Lane To Use At a Roundabout

If the roundabout has more than one lane on approach, you will often see road markings or signs telling you which lane to go in. If these are not present then the general rule is:  

• Turning left, first exit: Left, outside lane

• Following the road ahead: Left, outside lane

• Turning right: Right, inside lane.

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Wrong Lane At a Roundabout

A common driving test failure is to take the wrong lane on approach to a roundabout, panic and take the correct lane abruptly. Taking the wrong lane on approach to a roundabout is not a test failure. It’s the lack of safety and inappropriate action taken to access the correct lane that fails tests.

 

If you are approaching a roundabout and you realise you are in the wrong lane, you have 2 options:

• Access the correct lane safely. Use the appropriate mirrors and blind spot check and signal before changing lanes. Be wary of making other vehicles slow down or stop.

• If you do not think there is sufficient time or space to change lanes safely, stay in the incorrect lane and go the wrong way. The test is not about following directions. Taking the wrong exit will not fail your driving test.

 

If you realise you are in the wrong lane whilst on the roundabout, DO NOT change lanes as this can be unsafe and lead to a fail on your test. Stay in the incorrect lane and go the wrong way, making sure you follow the correct procedure.

 

Long Vehicles And Roundabouts

Extra caution should be taken whilst driving at roundabouts near long vehicles. Long vehicles need more room and may straddle lanes. It could be appropriate to hold back behind the long vehicle to allow them plenty of room to navigate the roundabout.

 

Spiral Roundabouts

Some larger multi-lane roundabouts are considered to be spiral roundabouts. This is because of the way the roundabout lanes ‘spiral’ outwards as you navigate them.

 

Often when navigating a spiral roundabout to an exit on the right, you will start in the right hand lane but finish in the left, without changing lanes. This is because the other lanes to the left will ‘peel off’ towards other exits.

 

It’s important at spiral roundabouts to follow the usual MSPSL process and remember to stay in lane at all times. Switching lanes can be dangerous on a roundabout and lead to a failure on your driving test.

 

Roundabouts With More Than 4 Exits

Some roundabouts will have more than 4 exits. If this is the case, we consider the exit closest to the 12 O’clock position (if there is one) to be straight ahead. Anything to the left of that is considered a left turn. Anything to the right is considered a right. If there is more than one left turn, the second left exit is treated like a straight ahead.

 

These rules will help you to choose the correct lane on approach and the correct process.

 

Quick Tips for Roundabouts

• Always read road signs and road markings on approach to roundabouts to establish the correct lane and process.

• Assess if the roundabout is open or closed and reduce speed appropriately. Ensure you do not stop over the junction line when stopping at a roundabout.

• Never switch lanes on a roundabout. Go the wrong way instead.

• If you realise you are in the wrong lane on approach to the roundabout, switch lanes if it is safe to do so or go the wrong way using the correct process.

• Don’t fixate to the right on approach to the roundabout. Keep your eyes moving or you may lose your position on the road.

• If the roundabout has standing traffic, you can enter but you must leave exits clear for traffic wishing to exit.