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Giving way at roundabouts

A roundabout is a central island in the middle of an intersection, where all vehicles must travel to the left of the island. Roundabouts can be small, large, single-laned or multi-laned. The number of roads that come into a roundabout can range from 3 to 5 or even more.

Single-laned roundabouts

When you come up to a roundabout with only one lane in each direction:

  • slow down as you come up to the roundabout and be prepared to give way
  • give way to all vehicles that will cross your path from your right as you enter the roundabout.

A blue motorcycle is approaching a single-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. To the right of the motorcycle, a red car is approaching the roundabout. Neither car is indicating. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

Multi-laned roundabouts

Most roundabouts with more than one lane in each direction are marked with lanes and arrows, which help you enter and leave the roundabout. The lane markings and arrows tell you which lane to use.

Not all roundabouts are marked the same way, so take extra care – especially at the exits. If you need to cross from one lane to another near an exit, give way to any vehicles in the lane that you want to enter.

When coming up to a multi-laned roundabout:

  • slow down as you come up to the roundabout and be prepared to give way
  • be in the correct lane for where you want to go
  • give way to all vehicles that will cross your path from your right as you enter the roundabout.

A blue motorcycle is approaching a multi-laned roundabout with four exits. On the motorcycle's right, a red car is approaching the roundabout to go straight through. The motorcycle is going straight through and then indicating left.

A blue motorcycle is approaching a multi-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. To the right of the blue car, a red car is approaching the roundabout to go straight through. The motorcycle is indicating left.

Signal use at roundabouts

If you're turning left at the first exit of a roundabout:

  • signal left as you come up to the roundabout.
A blue motorcycle is approaching a single-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. The motorcycle is indicating to turn left.

Single-laned roundabout

A blue motorcycle is approaching a multi-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. The motorcycle is indicating to turn left and will continue in the same lane throughout.

Multi-laned roundabout

If you're travelling more than halfway around a roundabout:

  • signal right as you come up to the roundabout
  • signal left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.
A blue motorcycle is approaching a single-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. A black arrow shows the motorcycle signals right until it's past the exit before the exit it's taking, then it signals left.

Single-laned roundabout

A blue motorcycle is approaching a multi-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. A black arrow shows the motorcycle signals right until it is past the exit before the exit it is taking, then it signals left. The blue stays in the same

Multi-laned roundabout

If you're going straight through a roundabout:

  • don’t signal as you come up to the roundabout
  • signal left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take. 
A blue motorcycle is approaching a single-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. A black arrow shows the motorcycle does not indicate until it is past the exit before the exit it is taking, then it signals left.

Single-laned roundabout

A blue motorcycle is approaching a multi-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs. A black arrow shows the motorcycle does not indicate until it is past the exit before the exit it is taking, then it signals left. The motocycle stays in

Multi-laned roundabout

Look out for cyclists who may find it difficult to maintain a turn signal on a roundabout and are exempt from this requirement.

Important

At roundabouts, look out for vehicles that:

  • may have to change lanes to exit

  • may not be able to stay in their lane because they're:

    • large, such as buses

    • travelling too fast.

Roundabout signs

These are some of the signs you may see at a roundabout.

This sign tells you to keep to the left of the traffic island as you come up to the roundabout. 

 These signs tell you that you must apply the roundabout give way rules.

This picture shows you where you can expect to see these signs at a roundabout.

This picture shows you where you can expect to see these signs at a roundabout.

A multi-laned roundabout with four exits, each with give way signs and yellow roundabout signs on the right corner of each road and blue keep left arrows in the centre of each road.
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