How to do Roundabouts

On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.

The examiner on your driving test will expect you to:-
Use the MSM routine
Position correctly and adjust your speed
Choose the correct lane where there are lane markings
Watch out for motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians
Take effective observations
Assess the speed of traffic
line
To Turn Left ( taking the first exit)
Signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
Keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
Use of your nearside (passenger) door mirror ensuring no one is on the left when you exit.

To go straight on ( taking the second exit)
Select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout. If no marking on the road it is usually safest to keep to the left lane.
Stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout.
Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
Make good use of your nearside (passenger) door mirror ensuring there is no one who will be inconvenienced by you turning off.

To Turn Right ( taking the last exit or third exit )
Signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
Make good use of your nearside (passenger) door mirror ensuring there is no one who will be inconvenienced by you turning off.

When approaching a roundabout:-
use Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre at all stages and decide as early as possible which exit you need to take, give an appropriate signal. I've always found that if you take your time and make sure you are in the correct lane a good distance from the roundabout you can't go far wrong.

Adjust your speed and Position to fit in with traffic conditions.
If you get your approach speed and gear right you can merge in with the traffic most times without stopping.

Another hint is sometimes you can judge where other drivers are going before they signal etc by looking at their faces and seeing which road they are looking into. Generally the road they look into is where they are going.
You will readily recognise body language or facial expression in other road users when eye contact has been made.
This in itself does not mean it is safe to proceed but it does mean the other person is aware of you and many accidents result from people not noticing other road users.

Always be aware of the speed and position of all the traffic around you.
Don't worry if you have to stop when you reach the roundabout. When it's clear, ease up off the clutch smoothly, don't rush, keep using the mirrors, and above all, stay calm.
Once you are on the roundabout maintain a reasonable speed. Failing to do this, especially when you are in the right-hand lane, may result in other drivers passing on the nearside.
Watch out for vehicles already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all.

Always keep an eye on the vehicle in front as you're about to emerge. Don't assume the driver won't have to stop while you're still looking right. Many rear end collisions happen this way. Make sure the vehicle has actually moved away.


wmv Videos to help with Dealing with Roundabouts

2pass Roundabout Lanes and Road Markings
2pass Roundabouts and Crossings
2pass Roundabouts - When is it safe to Go?
2pass Dealing with Double Roundabouts
2pass Dealing with Mini Roundabouts

When you have mastered - how to drive around roundabouts - have a look at:-
go 'Magic Roundabout' in Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
go 'Magic Roundabout' at Swindon


Mini Roundabouts
roundabout Approach these in the same way as a normal roundabout, but remember there is less space and time to signal and manoeuvre.
Vehicles coming towards you, they may want to turn right.
Be sure any vehicle on the roundabout is going to leave before you join the roundabout yourself.
Be aware of drivers that are using it for a 'U turn'
All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so.
When turning right at a mini roundabout, you don't always have time to signal, but remember to check left mirror

Multiple Mini roundabouts. At some complex junctions, there may be a series of mini-roundabouts at the intersections. Treat each roundabout separately and give way to traffic from the right.
When negotiating a number of junctions within a short distance of each other, choose a lane that puts you in the correct position for the next one.

In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to
pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads
traffic crossing in front of you on the roundabout, especially vehicles intending to leave by the next exit
traffic which may be straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly
motorcyclists
cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout
long vehicles (including those towing trailers) which might have to take a different course approaching or on the roundabout because of their length. Watch out for their signals.

Practice makes perfect, so get plenty of practice from a Approved Driving Instructor

How to Do Pedestrian Crossing