How to Drive on Roundabouts: A Simple Guide for Learner Drivers

At a roundabout, give way to traffic coming from your right, pick your lane early, and signal so others know which exit you’re taking. Going left: signal left and use the left lane. Going right: signal right and use the right lane, then signal left after you pass the exit before yours. Going straight ahead: usually no signal on the way in, then signal left after the exit before yours.

Roundabouts worry a lot of learners because so much happens at once. This guide breaks them down step by step, using the rules in the Highway Code, so you know exactly what to do at every one you meet in Manchester and on your driving test.

Most mistakes at roundabouts start on the way in, so plan early:

1. Read the signs and road markings. The sign before the roundabout shows each exit, and lane arrows often show which lane to use.
2. Decide your exit early, and count the exits on the sign.
3. Use Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre at every stage: mirrors before you signal, before you change speed and before you change lanes.
4. Slow down in good time and get into the right gear, so you can stop if you need to, or keep going if it’s clear.

Unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise, give way to traffic coming from your right. Traffic already on the roundabout normally has priority.

Before you go, look right for a safe gap, and look ahead to check the car in front has actually moved off. A lot of low-speed bumps happen when someone looks right, sees a gap and drives into the car ahead that stopped.

Watch for drivers already on the roundabout who signal wrongly or don’t signal at all. Don’t assume someone is leaving until you see them start to turn off.

Follow any lane markings first. If there are none, use these Highway Code rules:

Turning left (first exit)

• Signal left as you approach.
• Approach in the left lane and stay in it.
• Keep signalling left as you leave.

Going straight ahead (a middle exit)

• Choose the right lane for your exit as you approach (usually the left lane, unless markings show otherwise).
• You normally don’t need to signal on the way in.
• Stay in your lane, then signal left after you pass the exit before the one you want.

Turning right or going all the way round

• Signal right and approach in the right-hand lane.
• Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to leave.
• Signal left after you pass the exit before the one you want, check your left mirror and leave.

On big roundabouts with more than three lanes, use the most suitable lane on the approach and keep to it through the roundabout.

Treat a mini-roundabout like a normal one: give way to traffic from the right, signal the same way and choose your position early. There’s less space and less time, so:

• You must drive around the central marking, not over it. Only large vehicles that physically can’t get round are allowed to drive over it.
• Avoid U-turns at mini-roundabouts, and watch out for other drivers doing them.
• At double or multiple mini-roundabouts, treat each one separately and give way to traffic from the right at each.

Roundabouts are where drivers most often miss smaller road users. The Highway Code asks you to watch out for, and give plenty of room to:

• Cyclists: since 2022, you should give them priority on the roundabout. They may stay in the left lane even when going right and will signal right to show they’re carrying on. Don’t overtake them within their lane, and let them cross in front of you.
• Horse riders: like cyclists, they may stay in the left lane while going round.
• Motorcyclists, who can be hidden by other traffic.
• Long vehicles (lorries and anything towing), which may need to use more than one lane.
• Pedestrians crossing the roads into and out of the roundabout.

Your examiner wants to see safe, steady decisions, not speed. Common faults at roundabouts are:

• Not checking right properly, or pulling out when a car is coming.
• Stopping when it was safe to go, which holds up traffic. Missing a safe gap again and again can also count as a fault.
• Wrong lane, or changing lanes on the roundabout without checking mirrors.
• Missing or late signals, especially forgetting to signal left when leaving.
• Not watching for cyclists and pedestrians at the exits.

If you take the wrong exit, don’t panic and don’t swerve back. Leave safely and the examiner will direct you back to the route. A wrong turn on its own isn’t a fault.

For more on what examiners look for, read why people fail the driving test and what happens on your driving test. You can also test your Highway Code knowledge with our free theory test practice quiz.

The quickest way to get confident is to practise the roundabouts on the routes around your test centre with an instructor beside you. Our DVSA-approved instructors teach manual and automatic lessons across Greater Manchester, 7 days a week from 7am to 11:30pm.

• Pay as you go lessons: £35 an hour, no contract
• Test preparation and mock tests
• Intensive courses, if you want to pass sooner

Fill in the form and we’ll match you with an instructor near you, or call 07758 837589.

The Highway Code, rules 184 to 190: roundabouts. Checked 9 November 2026.

Who has priority at a roundabout in the UK?

Traffic coming from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights say otherwise. Give way to it, then go when there is a safe gap.

Do you signal when going straight ahead at a roundabout?

Not normally on the way in. Signal left after you pass the exit before the one you want, to show you are leaving.

Which lane do I use to turn right at a roundabout?

Unless markings show otherwise, approach in the right-hand lane signalling right, stay right on the roundabout, then signal left after passing the exit before yours.

Can you do a U-turn at a mini-roundabout?

The Highway Code says to avoid U-turns at mini-roundabouts, and to watch out for other drivers who do them.

Is taking the wrong exit a fail on the driving test?

Not on its own. If you take the wrong exit, leave safely and the examiner will direct you. Faults come from unsafe driving, such as cutting across lanes or not checking mirrors.