Learning How to Deal With Roundabouts

If you are new to the UK or new to driving, roundabouts can feel confusing and stressful. There is a lot happening at once and sometimes quick decisions are needed.

There is a good chance that roundabouts are on the driving test routes for your local test centre. Examiners often include the most challenging roundabouts in the area – from small mini roundabouts to large multi-lane systems.

These tutorials help both learner and experienced drivers understand:

• how roundabouts work,
• what examiners expect on test, and
• how to stay safe and calm.

How Roundabouts Work

There are two main types of roundabouts:

• Standard roundabouts – shown by a red triangle warning sign. These can be single-lane or multi-lane and are usually found on busier roads.
• Mini roundabouts – shown by a blue circle with white arrows. These are often found in residential areas and tight junctions.

For more detail on smaller junctions, see:

• Mini roundabouts

Approaching traffic must always give way to traffic already on the roundabout. In the UK, that means you must give way to traffic approaching from the right.

A learner driver is likely to encounter:

• larger multi-lane roundabouts, and
• mini roundabouts in residential areas

during the driving test (if they exist on local routes).

Roundabouts Are Just Junctions

Roundabouts are simply a type of junction and should be approached in a similar way.

While driving, look out for:

• road signs warning of a roundabout ahead, and
• traffic crossing in front of you – often a clue that a junction or roundabout is coming up.

Spotting a roundabout early gives you more time to:

• check mirrors,
• choose the correct lane, and
• adjust your speed smoothly.

Open and Closed Roundabouts

Roundabouts can be:

• Open – you can clearly see traffic approaching from the right as you approach. Often bigger, on main roads. You may not need to stop if all is clear.
• Closed – your view is blocked by trees, walls, fences or buildings. Usually smaller and in residential areas. You will often need to slow right down or stop at the line.

Your approach speed must match what you can see:

• The less you can see, the slower you go.

MSPSL – The Core Roundabout Routine

Whenever you have located a roundabout ahead, the examiner will expect you to use the MSPSL routine:

• Mirror
• Signal
• Position
• Speed
• Look

This should be applied every time you approach a roundabout – turning left, going straight ahead or turning right.

Roundabout Rules – What the Examiner Expects

Below is the basic procedure the examiner will look for when:

• turning left,
• following the road ahead, and
• turning right at a roundabout.

Turning Left at a Roundabout

Turning left at a roundabout is the first exit.

Roundabout rules must be followed precisely on the driving test. The examiner may say something like: “At the roundabout, turn left, first exit.” This might be part of normal directions or the independent driving section.

MSPSL for Turning Left

• Mirror: Check the interior mirror, then the left mirror.
• Signal: Signal left.
• Position: Stay in the left lane on approach and while on the roundabout.
• Speed: Decide if the roundabout is open or closed and slow to an appropriate speed. Aim to be around 10 mph and in 2nd gear about 10–15 metres before the line.
• Look: Give way to traffic coming from your right. If you must stop, press the clutch down only 3–5 metres before the line to avoid coasting.

If it’s clear, continue into the roundabout in 2nd gear, keeping to the left. Once you have taken the exit, make sure your signal has cancelled.

If you’d like to practise this with clear reference points on local roundabouts, you can see prices here:
Manual lesson prices or Automatic lesson prices.

Straight Ahead at a Roundabout

Straight ahead at a roundabout is usually the second exit.

When approaching a roundabout, it’s tempting to stare only to the right (where traffic is coming from). This is risky because you can drift from your lane and miss what’s happening ahead.

On approach, keep your eyes moving:

• look ahead to keep your position,
• glance right to see if you need to give way, and
• repeat this briskly.

MSPSL for Straight Ahead

• Mirror: Check the interior mirror as you approach.
• Signal: No signal on approach when going straight ahead (unless signs/markings say otherwise).
• Position: Usually the left lane for straight ahead, unless road signs or markings show a different layout.
• Speed: Judge if the roundabout is open or closed – slow right down if you’re unsure, and be prepared to stop at the line.
• Look: Give way to traffic from the right. Just after you pass the first exit, check the interior mirror, then the left mirror and signal left to exit.

Once you have left the roundabout, cancel the signal if it has not cancelled automatically.