Roundabouts

A summary of the key road rules for giving way at roundabouts.

A roundabout is an intersection that has one or more marked lanes or lines of traffic travelling in the same direction around a central traffic island.

At a roundabout you must:

  • always keep to the left of the central traffic island  
  • drive in the direction of the signs or arrows on the road before or in the roundabout.

The rules in detail

The key road rules and reference numbers regarding roundabouts are:

  • 109 - What is a roundabout 
  • 110 - Meaning of halfway around a roundabout 
  • 111 - Entering a roundabout from a multi-lane road or a road with 2 or more lines of traffic travelling in the same direction 
  • 112 - Giving a left change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
  • 113 - Giving a right change of direction signal when entering a roundabout 
  • 114 - Giving way when entering or driving in a roundabout
  • 115 - Driving in a roundabout to the left of the central traffic island 
  • 116 - Obeying traffic lane arrows when driving in or leaving a roundabout
  • 117 - Giving a change of direction signal when changing marked lanes or lines of traffic in a roundabout
  • 118 - Giving a left change of direction signal when leaving a roundabout
  • 119 - Giving way by the rider of a bicycle or animal to a vehicle leaving a roundabout

Before entering a roundabout, you must give way to any:

  • vehicle already in the roundabout 
  • tram entering or approaching the roundabout.

Vehicles do not need to give way to pedestrians at roundabouts unless there is a pedestrian crossing there.

If you want to turn left at a roundabout you must:

  • indicate that you want to turn left as you approach the roundabout, and 
  • keep indicating until you have left the roundabout.

If there is more than one lane going into the roundabout, you must approach in the left lane and stay in that lane.

If you want to turn right at a roundabout you must:

  • indicate that you want to turn right as you approach the roundabout, and 
  • if practicable, indicate left just before the exiting the roundabout, keeping your indicator on until you have left the roundabout.

If there is more than one lane going into the roundabout, you must approach in the right lane and stay in that lane.

If you want to travel straight through a roundabout:

  • stay in the same lane through the roundabout  
  • do not indicate as you approach the roundabout, but if practicable, signal left as you exit.

If there is more than one lane, you can approach the roundabout in any of the lanes, unless the lane is for left or right turns only.

If you are riding a bicycle or an animal (e.g. a horse), you have the option of turning right from the left lane. In this case, you must give way to any other drivers exiting the roundabout before you make your turn and exit.

Was this page helpful?

 

Please tell us why (but don't leave your personal details here - message us if you need help or have questions).