Mini roundabouts

By the end of this topic you can

• You can spot a mini roundabout early from its signs and road markings.
• You can approach at a speed that lets you stop at the give way line if you need to.
• You can give way to traffic coming from your right and judge a safe gap.
• You can signal and position correctly for left, ahead and right.
• You can pass round the central marking rather than driving over it.

What you need to know and understand

• The sign is a blue circle with three white arrows going round clockwise.
• You normally give way to traffic approaching from your immediate right.
• All vehicles must pass round the central marking, except large vehicles that physically cannot.
• The Highway Code advises you to avoid U-turns at mini roundabouts.
• At double mini roundabouts, you treat each one separately and give way to the right at each.
• Other drivers may have less time to signal, so watch their position and wheels as well as their indicators.

Spotting one in time

Look for the blue circular sign with white arrows, a white painted circle in the middle of the junction and a broken give way line across your lane. In residential streets the sign can be hidden by parked cars or hedges, so the road markings are often your first clue.

Use the mirrors, signal, manoeuvre routine early. Slow down so that you arrive at the give way line at a speed where stopping is easy.

Signals and position at a mini roundabout

• Turning left: signal left on approach, keep to the left and keep the signal on as you leave.
• Going ahead: you normally do not need to signal on approach. Signal left after you pass the exit before the one you want, if there is time.
• Turning right: signal right on approach, position just left of the centre line, and change to a left signal once you pass the exit before yours.
• Always drive round the painted circle, not across it, unless your vehicle is too large to do so.

Reading other road users

Because the junction is small, a car on your right may already be on the roundabout before you notice it. Look right early and keep looking as you creep up to the line. Watch for drivers who do not signal, cyclists who may be harder to see, and buses or lorries that have to drive over the central marking.

If a vehicle opposite you arrives at the same time and nobody has a car to their right, be patient. Make eye contact if you can and do not force your way out. Never assume the other driver will give way.

Common mistakes

• Arriving too fast and having to brake hard at the line. Start slowing as soon as you see the sign.
• Cutting straight across the painted circle when turning right. Drive round it so other drivers can predict your path.
• Only looking right once. Keep checking right until you actually move off.
• Forgetting to cancel or change your signal, which can make someone pull out in front of you.
• Trying a U-turn at a mini roundabout. Find a safer way to turn round instead.

Test yourself: Mini roundabouts

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Mini Roundabout Rules