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If you’re just starting your driving lessons, there’s one thing almost every learner dreads: roundabouts. Whether you’re nervous, curious, or already picturing yourself going around in circles forever, you’re in the right place. This guide is designed to help new pupils feel confident, calm, and actually in control when approaching those swirling junctions. By the end, you’ll understand exactly what to do — and why roundabouts aren’t nearly as scary as they seem.
Roundabouts: the mysterious spinning circles of chaos that strike fear into every new driver’s heart. They look simple from the outside — cars go around, cars come out — but the first time you approach one during a lesson, your brain suddenly forgets what an indicator is and why you’re even in a car to begin with.
Don’t panic. Here’s your calm, practical, slightly humorous guide to surviving (and eventually mastering) roundabouts.
1. Step One: Breathe. Just… breathe.
Your instructor will talk you through it.
Your job is to:
Keep your speed low
Keep your eyes up
And resist the urge to abandon the car and run into a field
Roundabouts look busy, but they’re more predictable than they seem.
2. Know Your Lanes (They Are Not Optional Decorations)
If a roundabout has more than one lane, the golden rule is:
Left lane = going left or straight
Right lane = going right (or all the way around)
Some roundabouts are “special snowflakes” with weird markings — always follow the arrows on the road over any general rule.
Tip: Look for signs early. If you see a roundabout symbol, start preparing. This is not the time to zone out.
3. Give Way to the Right (They’re the Boss)
Cars coming from your right have priority.
If the lane to your right is clear, you can usually go.
If a car is coming fast, don’t try to outsmart physics — just wait.
A good habit:
Look right
Look ahead
Look right again
And then glide in like a graceful, cautious swan.
4. Indicate Like You Mean It
This is where a lot of learners get confused, so here’s a simple breakdown:
Left Turn (First exit)
Signal left
Stay in left lane
Stay left inside the roundabout
Signal left again to leave
Straight Ahead
No signal on approach
Left lane (unless arrows say otherwise)
Signal left after you pass the exit before yours
Right Turn or U-Turn
Signal right
Use the right lane
Stay in right lane on the circle
Signal left as you pass the exit before yours
If you get it wrong?
Join the club. Everyone does at first.
5. Don’t Stare at the Middle (It Doesn’t Help)
The pretty grass island, statue, or weird art piece in the center is not your focal point.
Let it be mysterious.
Instead:
Watch traffic
Watch road markings
Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
Your instructor will love you for this.
6. Speed is Everything
Too fast = chaos
Too slow = chaos
Somewhere in between = success
Most roundabouts feel manageable at 10–15 mph as a learner. Keep it slow and smooth — think “confident snail.”
7. If You Miss Your Exit… Keep Going
Never swerve out. Never guess.
Just go around again — roundabouts were literally invented for redo mode.
Your instructor won’t mind. In fact, they’ll be proud you didn’t make a panic move.
8. Celebrate the Moment It Finally ‘Clicks’
One magical day, you’ll enter a roundabout, exit perfectly, and think:
“Wait… did I just do that without sweating?”
Yes, you did. And it feels amazing.
Roundabouts might feel intimidating now, but with the right guidance from our instructors and a bit of practice, they’ll soon become just another easy part of your drive. Every confident driver you see once sat where you are — unsure, overthinking, and hoping they’d remember which indicator to use. If you’re ready to turn that uncertainty into skill, your next step is simple: keep practicing, keep asking questions, and let a good instructor guide you through it. You’ve got this — and your driving journey is only just getting started.
