8.3 Roundabouts: Giving Way, Lanes and Signals

Roundabouts: Giving Way, Lanes and Signals

The entry rule is simple but often misstated: a driver entering a roundabout must give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout. It is not a “give way to the right” rule. A vehicle already circulating can approach from another position after a multi-lane movement, and its presence—not its compass direction—creates the duty.

Approach and entry

Read the roundabout sign, lane arrows and destination signs early. Check mirrors, reduce speed and select the correct lane before reaching the give-way line. Scan every circulating lane, bicycle movements, pedestrians near exits and vehicles whose indicators may be late or wrong.

Enter only when the gap allows the motorcycle to join without affecting another vehicle’s crash-avoidance space. Legal priority never makes a small gap safe.

Lane selection

Traffic-lane arrows and signs control. When no marking says otherwise, the general pattern is:

• left / first exit: approach in the left lane or left line of traffic;
• straight / halfway around: use a lane permitted by arrows—commonly either lane on a two-lane approach; and
• right or U-turn / more than halfway: approach in the right lane or right line of traffic.

Remain in the selected lane through the roundabout unless making a lawful lane change. A lane change requires sufficient warning, a mirror and head check, and giving way to traffic in the destination lane. Do not cut from an inside lane across a vehicle in an outer lane to reach the exit.

Signals

For a first-exit left turn, signal left on approach and keep signalling through the exit. For straight ahead, do not normally signal on approach. For a right turn or U-turn, signal right on approach and continue while circulating until preparing to leave.

When leaving a roundabout, signal left if practicable, starting after passing the exit immediately before the intended exit. Very small roundabouts may make an exit signal impracticable, but the rider should signal whenever it can be done. Cancel the signal after leaving.

Indicators communicate intention; they do not create priority. Continue to observe and give way.

Motorcycle position and surface

Use the lane position that balances space, surface and sight. Buffer a vehicle waiting to enter, but do not move into another circulating lane. Look for diesel, oil, gravel and wet markings, especially near give-way lines and tight turns. Reduce speed before lean and keep control inputs smooth.

Avoid filtering in or through a roundabout unless every condition of the lane-filtering rule is met; a dedicated turning lane cannot be used for filtering. For a learner or provisional rider, filtering is prohibited everywhere.

Heavy vehicles

Long vehicles may use more than one lane to turn and their rear wheels can cut across the inside of the path. A vehicle displaying “Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle” has special turning rights in the stated circumstances. Never place the motorcycle beside it in a roundabout or on the side toward which it is turning. Stay back where the driver can see the motorcycle and allow the whole combination to clear.

Examples

Straight ahead on a marked two-lane approach: choose a lane whose arrow permits straight. Give way to all circulating vehicles. Enter and remain in that lane, then indicate left after the prior exit if practicable.

Right turn: use the right lane unless markings permit another. Signal right, give way and enter the matching circulatory lane. After passing the exit before yours, signal left and leave from the lawful lane.

Vehicle already in the far circulating lane: do not enter merely because it appears left of the motorcycle or is not “coming from the right.” It is in the roundabout, so give way if the paths may conflict.

Exam traps

• “Give way only to vehicles on the right” is wrong.
• A right indicator on a circulating vehicle is useful information, not a guarantee.
• The lane table yields to actual arrows and signs.
• An exit signal is required when practicable.
• A motorcycle’s narrow width does not permit it to share a circulatory lane unsafely.

Approach slowly enough to read, decide and stop.

If an emergency vehicle approaches, do not stop on the roundabout unless necessary to avoid a collision. Continue to a safe exit, then comply with the emergency-vehicle rule. If an exit is blocked, do not enter simply because the entry gap is open; wait behind the give-way line so the motorcycle does not stop across a circulating lane or pedestrian path.