Roundabout rules & types
A faff-free guide to roundabout rules and the different types we have in the UK.
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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 21 May 2025
Roundabouts are one of those things that you learn about very early on in your driving career. Whether it’s from those road rugs we all played with as kids or from your very first driving lesson, there’s a lot to learn.
They’re daunting parts of driving, especially if you’re new to them. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to roundabout rules in the UK, including the different types, which lane you should be in and who has right of way.
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What is a roundabout?
Firstly, and most importantly, what is a roundabout?
A roundabout is a circular junction where traffic flows around one central island, acting as a way for different roads to merge and for drivers to change direction.
What do they do?
Roundabouts help manage traffic flow at junctions, keeping cars moving around the central island. They’re often decorated with greenery or statues in the UK.
Are roundabouts safer?
Yes, roundabouts are, in theory, safer because there’s one flow of traffic driving clockwise (in the UK at least) around an island.
They also encourage slower speeds and minimise collisions that might otherwise occur at faster junctions.
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What are the different roundabout types and rules in the UK?
Mini roundabouts
Mini roundabouts have the same basic principles as full-sized ones, but on a smaller scale. But there are some key things you need to know.
Like with all other roundabouts in the UK, you need to give way to traffic approaching from the right, unless road signs or markings state otherwise, and ensure you clearly indicate where you’re going.
You also need to drive around the central painted dome and avoid going straight over it – even if it’s possible to. You should only do this if it’s unavoidable, such as for lorries or longer vehicles.
And while it may be tempting, circling a mini roundabout or doing a U-turn is generally frowned upon as it can be confusing to other road users, so try and avoid doing this unnecessarily if you can.
Single-lane roundabouts
We sense a universal sigh of relief when you rock up to a roundabout to discover it only has one lane. Not only are they less daunting but they’re far easier to use.
They mean you only need to worry about one lane to join and exit from, so you can never be in the wrong lane.
These are often found in towns but can also be seen on faster A roads.
Multi-lane roundabouts
The multi-lane roundabout is a more common sight, and one of the most popular and best uses for a roundabout.
Approaching them can be unnerving, but once you’re on them, they make perfect sense.
They’re a way to connect multiple lanes of traffic going in the same – or different – directions, and are designed to handle higher volumes of traffic and more complex junctions.
Turbo roundabouts
A turbo roundabout is a specific type of multi-lane roundabout that originated in the Netherlands as a way to reduce conflict points and improve traffic flow.
They use raised lane dividers (often made of plastic or concrete) and lane markings that guide cars into the specific lane before they enter the roundabout.
This is to reduce any hesitation or movement while on the roundabout, making it safer and more efficient.
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Magic roundabouts
The magic roundabout as a concept is one of the most daunting and often confusing types of roundabout in the world, and in the UK, we’re blessed with five of them – but they’re really not as bad as they look, we promise.
Essentially, what they are is a series of (usually five) smaller roundabouts surrounding a central roundabout to create a unique and complex-looking traffic system.
This allows traffic to drive both clockwise and anticlockwise around the central roundabout, giving drivers multiple routes around.
How do magic roundabouts work?
Get onto the mini roundabout closest to your entry point
Then, either:
Continue clockwise around the outer ring via this series of mini roundabouts
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Cut across via the central circle, going counterclockwise to take a shorter route
Top tips:
Still give way to the right at all times
Take each mini roundabout as it comes to avoid confusion
Follow signs and road markings carefully
Plan your exit before entering, like with any other roundabout
Stay calm and proceed steadily, and you’ll realise it isn’t all that bad
Cut-through roundabouts
A cut-through roundabout is a type of roundabout where cars can drive straight through the middle, bypassing the circular motion.
So, if you’re on a main road and approach one, you can often drive straight through and be separated from the circulatory traffic, so you don’t need to enter the roundabout at all if you're not changing direction.
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Access-controlled roundabouts
These look no different from a standard multi-lane roundabout, but they have traffic control measures such as traffic lights, stop signs, metering signals or gates/barriers.
Tram roundabouts
These are when – you guessed it – tram tracks get in the way of a roundabout.
It functions in the same way a normal roundabout would, but often trams may have priority, which will be signalled via dedicated tram-only signals, and other road users must obey these.
Roundabout interchanges
Roundabout interchanges are commonly found where a main road (such as a motorway) meets other roads and are a helpful way to leave one and join the other.
These usually work by having roundabouts on one or both sides of a bridge or underpass, meaning joining another road isn’t too prolonged.
What lane should I be in at a roundabout?
Choosing the correct lane to be in depends on how many lanes there are, which exit you’re taking, as well as signs and road markings.
General roundabout lane rules to follow:
Turing left (first exit) – stay in the left lane
Going straight on (second exit) – left or middle lane (if available)
Turning right (third exit or more) – right lane
Full U-turn – right lane
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How should you signal when going straight at a roundabout?
While on a roundabout, there are one of four actions you’re going to do: turn left, go straight, turn right, or do a U-turn.
How you should signal on roundabouts:
Turning left – keep left, signal left throughout
Going straight – stay in lane, signal left after passing the exit before your exit
Turning right and U-turns – stay in the right lane, signal after passing the exit before yours
Who has the right of way at a roundabout?
In the UK, you should always give way to the right, and this applies to all roundabouts and junctions in all different scenarios.
This is the same whether you’re giving way to a bus, a cyclist or another car.
Just ensure that when you’re entering the roundabout, it’s safe to do so, like with all other road scenarios.
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Explore new driver content
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That’s why we’d recommend a used hatchback. Not only are they nippy and small, but they’re often the best options for first-time or nervous drivers tackling roundabouts for the first time.
Plus, all our cars come with a 14-day money back guarantee and a 90-day warranty to help you get on your way in no time.