Photo: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Roundabout rules in Australia come from the national Australian Road Rules, so they are the same in every state and territory. You give way to every vehicle already in the roundabout, signal your intended direction as you enter, and indicate left as you exit where practical. This explainer covers lane choice, indicating and the situations learners find hardest.
Key facts
- Give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout, whichever direction it is heading.
- You do not have to give way to vehicles on your right that have not entered yet.
- Turning left: indicate left. Turning right or doing a U-turn: indicate right.
- Going straight ahead: no signal is needed on approach.
- Indicate left when you exit, if practical. Stop indicating once you have left.
- On multi-lane roundabouts, follow the lane arrows. With no arrows, use the left lane for left turns and the right lane for right turns and U-turns. You can go straight ahead from either lane.
Who has right of way at a roundabout?
Vehicles already in the roundabout. As you approach, slow down so you can stop if needed. Give way to traffic on your right that is already circulating, and to vehicles that entered from your left or from directly opposite you.
The Tasmanian Road Rules handbook points out a common mistake. Do not wait for a car on your right that has not yet entered the roundabout. It is not in the roundabout yet, so you do not need to give way to it. Waiting for it slows everyone down.
How to drive through a roundabout: by direction
| Where you are going | Approach lane (multi-lane, no arrows) | Signal on approach | Signal on exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left (less than halfway around) | Left lane | Left, kept on throughout | Left (already on) |
| Straight ahead (halfway around) | Left or right lane | None needed | Left, if practical |
| Right (more than halfway around) | Right lane | Right | Change to left before your exit, if practical |
| Full turn (U-turn) | Right lane | Right | Left, if practical |
“Halfway around” means taking the road that is straight ahead, or close to straight ahead, from the road you entered on.
Turning left
- Indicate left on approach.
- On a multi-lane roundabout, use the left lane or a lane with a left arrow.
- Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout.
- Keep indicating left as you turn, and exit into the left lane.
Going straight ahead
- No signal is needed on approach.
- Use any lane with a straight-ahead arrow. With no arrows, use either lane.
- Stay in that lane through the roundabout.
- Indicate left as you pass the exit before yours, if practical. On a small single-lane roundabout this may not be practical.
- Exit in the same lane you entered.
Turning right or doing a U-turn
- Indicate right on approach.
- Use the right lane or a lane with a right arrow.
- Keep indicating right while in the roundabout.
- Indicate left as you pass the exit before the one you want, if practical, and exit in the right lane (WA Drive Safe).
Lane arrows and changing lanes
- If your lane has a single arrow, you must go in that direction. If it shows two or more directions, you can take any of them.
- Drive to the left of the central island.
- Plan your lane before you enter so you do not need to change lanes inside the roundabout.
- If you must change lanes, indicate, give way to vehicles in the lane you are moving into, and only cross a broken line, never a continuous one.
Spiral roundabouts in Queensland
Some Queensland multi-lane roundabouts have spiral line markings that guide circulating traffic out through a single-lane exit. On these, Queensland’s guidance says:
- never enter from the left lane if you are going past the first exit, unless road arrows say you can
- for an exit more than halfway around, start in the right lane unless arrows or signs say otherwise, then stay in it or move into the spiralled lane when safe
- signal any lane change, give way to vehicles already in that lane, and signal left before you exit
If you find yourself in a lane that does not go where you want, follow its marked route and find another way back, rather than cutting across a circulating vehicle.
Sharing roundabouts with other road users
- Bicycle riders are entitled to use a full lane. On a multi-lane roundabout they may turn right from the left lane, giving way to vehicles leaving the roundabout. Expect a cyclist in the left lane who is not exiting.
- Pedestrians: the NSW handbook says you do not have to give way to pedestrians at a roundabout unless there is a pedestrian crossing. You must still take care not to hit anyone.
- Trams: in Melbourne, as well as vehicles already circulating, give way to any tram entering or approaching the roundabout. See driving with trams in Victoria.
- Trucks and road trains often need the whole road to turn and may drive over the central island. The NT handbook says to stay well back from them at roundabouts. See sharing the road with trucks, buses and road trains.
- Emergency vehicles: give way to an emergency vehicle with lights or siren, even inside a roundabout. See emergency vehicles and slow down rules.
Scenario: the two-lane roundabout
You want the third exit, which is more than halfway around. With no arrows marked, approach in the right lane and indicate right. Give way to cars already circulating. Stay in the right lane. As you pass the second exit, switch to your left indicator. Exit into the right lane of the new road, checking your mirror and blind spot for anyone in the left lane who is going further around.
Roundabouts on your driving test
For how your state scores lane choice, indicating and observation on the practical test, see the NSW Driving Test, the VicRoads drive test and the Q-Safe practical driving test.
Common questions
Do you give way to the right at a roundabout?
You give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout, which usually means traffic coming from your right. You do not give way to a car on your right that is still approaching and has not entered.
Do you have to indicate going straight through a roundabout?
Not on approach. You must indicate left as you exit, if practical. On a small single-lane roundabout it may not be practical.
Can I go straight ahead from the right lane?
Yes, on a multi-lane roundabout with no lane arrows. If arrows are marked, follow them.
Can I do a U-turn at a roundabout?
Yes, unless a sign prohibits it. Approach in the right lane indicating right, and indicate left as you exit, where practical.
Do I have to give way to pedestrians at a roundabout?
Only where there is a pedestrian crossing, according to the NSW handbook. Always take care to avoid pedestrians who are crossing.
Are roundabout rules the same in every state?
Yes. The ACT Road Rules Handbook says its roundabout rules are quoted from the Australian Road Rules and recognised nationally. See the Australian Road Rules explained and giving way in Australia.
Sources
- Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users” (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules, Version 2.1” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
- Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)
- Queensland Government, “Roundabouts” (qld.gov.au)