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Mastering UK Roundabouts: A Guide for Tourists

📅 Dec 5, 2025 ⏱ī¸ 6 min read
Aerial view of UK roundabout with cars navigating

Roundabouts are everywhere in the UK, from tiny village junctions to massive motorway interchanges. For visitors used to 4-way stops or traffic lights, they can be confusing. This guide will help you navigate them like a local.

🔄 The Golden Rule

Always give way to traffic approaching from your RIGHT. Traffic on the roundabout has priority. You must wait for a safe gap before entering.

1. Approaching a Roundabout

  • Slow Down: Reduce your speed early.
  • Check Signs: Look for signs indicating which lane you need for your exit.
  • Get in Lane: Select the correct lane early. Do not switch lanes on the roundabout unless signs direct you to.

2. Lane Discipline & Signaling

Turning Left (1st Exit)

  • Signal left on approach.
  • Stay in the left lane.
  • Keep signaling left until you exit.

Going Straight (Intermediate Exits)

  • Do not signal on approach.
  • Stay in the left lane (unless signs say otherwise).
  • Signal left after you pass the exit before the one you want.

Turning Right (Last Exits)

  • Signal right on approach.
  • Stay in the right lane.
  • Keep signaling right until you pass the exit before yours.
  • Then signal left to exit.

3. Mini-Roundabouts

These are small painted white circles on the road.

  • Treat them exactly like normal roundabouts.
  • You must pass around the central marking, not drive over it (unless your vehicle is too large to avoid it).
  • Watch out for double mini-roundabouts – treat each one separately.

4. Spiral Roundabouts

On larger roundabouts (often on motorways), lanes may spiral outwards.

  • Follow the lane markings carefully.
  • The lane will naturally guide you to your exit if you started in the correct one.
  • Do not panic and swerve across lanes if you miss your exit – just go around again!

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5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Hesitating: If there's a gap, go. Hesitation causes accidents.
  • Not Signaling: Other drivers need to know where you are going. Signal clearly and in good time.
  • Cutting Lanes: Stay in your lane. Cutting across lanes on a roundabout is dangerous.

Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing. Once you get the hang of them, you might even prefer them to traffic lights! For more driving tips, check our Driving in the UK guide.