Skip links and keyboard navigation

Roundabouts

How do I identify different turns at a roundabout?

It is important to be in the correct lane at multi-lane roundabouts. Signs, lane markings and arrows help you position your vehicle correctly and guide you in the direction you want to go.

Unless traffic lane arrows indicate otherwise, remember these rules:

  • to turn left, use the left lane.
  • to turn right, use the right lane.
  • to go straight ahead, use either lane.

Video of turning right at roundabouts

Turning right at roundabouts

Video transcript

You may think you can turn right from any lane on a roundabout.

But that's not the rule.

On a multi-lane roundabout, you should turn right from the right lane.

You can only turn right from the left hand lane of a roundabout if the road markings indicate that you can do so.

So, if the arrows on the road don't indicate otherwise, turning right from the left hand lane is illegal.

Remember the rule: unless road markings indicate otherwise, you must be in the right lane to turn right on a roundabout.

Turning left

To turn left at a roundabout, use the left lane.
  1. Position your vehicle in the left lane unless arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.
  2. Use your left indicator when you enter the roundabout.
  3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
  4. Remain in the left lane as you complete your turn.
  5. Continue to use your left indicator as you exit the roundabout.
  6. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

Turning right or U-turns

To turn right or do a u-turn at a roundabout, use the right lane.
  1. Position your vehicle in the right lane unless arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.
  2. Use your right indicator when you enter the roundabout.
  3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
  4. Before exiting, use your left indicator and follow the exit lane marking.
  5. Stop indicating as soon as you have left the roundabout.

Note: Do not turn right from the left lane unless arrows on the road indicate otherwise.

Video of signalling at roundabouts

Signalling at roundabouts

Video transcript

Signalling on roundabouts is easy, when you know the rules.

But here are some tips before you start.

Remember you must give way to any vehicles already on the roundabout before you enter. And if the lanes approaching the roundabout are marked with arrows, make sure you follow their direction.

Otherwise, if you're planning to turn left, here's the way to do it.

Approach the roundabout in the left lane or line of traffic. Then, signal left as you approach the roundabout. Continue to signal left as you exit the roundabout and turn your indicator off after you've exited.

If you want to drive straight ahead on a roundabout, you can approach without signalling. But, make sure you signal left as you exit and turn your indicator off after you've left the roundabout.

To make a right turn, approach the roundabout in the right lane or line of traffic, then signal right as you approach the roundabout and continue to signal right until you're ready to exit. Then, signal left before you exit the roundabout. The same rule applies if you intend driving beyond the right turn exit.

Signalling on roundabouts is simple, when you know the rules.

Going straight ahead

To go straight ahead at a roundabout, use either lane.
  1. Position your vehicle in either lane unless the arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.
  2. Do not use your indicator until ready to exit.
  3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
  4. Before exiting, use your left indicator and follow the exit lane marking.
  5. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

Who gives way at a roundabout?

A vehicle approaching a roundabout must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

In some cases on a multi-lane roundabout, it may be necessary to change lanes before exiting. In this situation, it is the responsibility of the driver changing lanes to give way to vehicles in the lane the driver is moving to.

Part 9 and Section 148 of the Queensland Road Rules apply.

Video of giving way at roundabouts

Giving way at roundabouts

Video transcript

Some people think you should give way to vehicles approaching from the right on a roundabout.

But, that's not the rule.

You must give way to any vehicles already on the roundabout before you enter.

So if a car already on a roundabout just happens to be on your right, you must give way to it. Here, car A must give way to car B.

And if a car already on a roundabout happens to be directly in front of you or on your left, you must give way to it too. So, once again, car A must give way to car B.

It doesn't matter if a car is on your left or on your right, if it's already on the roundabout, you must give way to it before you enter.

Giving way on roundabouts is straightforward, when you know the rules.

 

Another way of looking at roundabouts

Turns that occur at roundabouts can be described by imagining the roundabout to be a clock face.

Any turn that exits the roundabout before 12 o'clock can be considered a left turn. Any turn that exits after 12 o'clock can be considered a right turn.

The Queensland Road Rules uses the terms 'less than half-way round' and 'more that half-way around'.

Straight ahead at a roundabout is taken to be at half-way around or at 12 o'clock.

Last updated
01 June 2010