Australian roundabout road rules explained
Roundabouts are one of the most common features on Aussie roads, yet to some motorists they are apparently circles of confusion.
Roundabouts, while usually circular, do come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They also help manage traffic flow – as long as they’re used correctly. However, roundabout road rules are often misunderstood and misinterpreted, even though they are heavily embedded within driver training and licensing nationally.
If you’re a little unsure of roundabout rules, or feel you’re due for a refresher, don’t worry – we’ve got you!
What does a roundabout do?
In short, roundabouts manage traffic flow at intersections, as an alternative to traffic lights.
As the name suggests, a roundabout moves traffic in one direction around a central island. Vehicles can turn left or right, go straight ahead, or make a full turn (U-turn).
Part 9 of the Road Rules 2014 details the legislation that covers roundabouts. Regulation 114 explains how to give way when entering or driving in a roundabout, and regulation 118 outlines indicating when leaving a roundabout. The road rules do not change depending on the size of the roundabout or the state or territory in which you are driving.
What are the basic roundabout rules to remember?
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The roundabout sign means slow down, prepare to give way and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision.
- Before entering a roundabout, you must be in the correct lane, indicate the direction you are turning, and give way to traffic already on the roundabout.
- Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic.
- If you do need to change lanes while on the roundabout, you must indicate and give way to any vehicle in the lane you’re moving into. You can only change lanes mid-roundabout where there’s a broken white line. You must not change lanes if the line is unbroken.
- When exiting a roundabout, whether you are turning left, right or straight ahead, you must always indicate a left turn just before you exit if practicable.
Can cyclists use roundabouts?
Yes, they can. It is important for motorists to look out for cyclists on roundabouts for this reason.
Cyclists are entitled to use a full lane and must follow the same rules as other drivers on roundabouts. On a multi-lane roundabout, however, they can use the left lane to turn right. When turning, they must give way to vehicles leaving the roundabout. Look out for bicycles stopped in the left lane who are giving way to vehicles leaving the roundabout.
Who should give way on a roundabout?
Let’s break this down. A driver entering a roundabout must give way to:
- Any vehicle in the roundabout, and
- A tram that is entering or approaching the roundabout.
For this rule, ‘give way’ means the driver must slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision. There is no specific legislation stating one must give way to the other if entering the roundabout at the same time, only that you must give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout.
However, common sense must prevail. As the rule states, a driver must slow down enough to be able to stop to avoid a collision if necessary.
Additionally, it pays to monitor an oncoming car's speed, position as well as the car’s blinkers and the angle of their wheels approaching a roundabout. Always keep an eye out for motorcyclists, too: they’re not as visible as cars but, like cyclists, are entitled to use a full lane. Furthermore, trucks and buses typically occupy more than one lane when turning, so it's a good idea to hang back and give them extra room.
What are the rules on a two-lane roundabout?
The same ‘give way’ rules apply on a two-lane roundabout, but there are also restrictions on which lane you can use to turn in a particular direction.
- Turning left: On approach you must indicate left, and turn using the left lane, unless arrows show you can use other lanes to turn left.
- Going straight on: You can use any lane to go straight ahead, unless arrows show the lane is for left or right turns only. Indicate off as long as it is practical to do so.
- Turning right or making a U-turn: On approach you must indicate right, and turn using the right lane, unless arrows show you can use other lanes to turn right. Indicate off as long as it is practical to do so.
- Changing lanes: While it is legal to change lanes on a two-lane roundabout, it is best to plan ahead to avoid having to do so. If you do need to change lanes, you must indicate and give way to any traffic in that lane before moving across. Note: you can only change lanes across an unbroken line – you must not change lanes if the line is unbroken.
Q&A from Open Road readers
Roundabout rules are a popular topic with readers of Open Road. Here are some key questions and answers from our readers.
When I am driving toward a roundabout, a vehicle approaching the roundabout on my right often seeks to enforce the ‘give way to your right’ rule. In California the rule is that the first vehicle to reach the roundabout has the right of way to enter the roundabout.
In Australia the position seems to be that if there is a vehicle at the roundabout and about to enter it, but there is a vehicle still coming to the roundabout on the right of the first vehicle, the vehicle still coming to the roundabout does not slow down but enforces the ‘give way to the right’ rule. This can have the effect that a succession of vehicles to the right of the first vehicle continue on, enforcing their ‘right of way’.
What is the legal position in Australia, and do all the states and territories have the same rule for the situation I describe above?
– John McAuleyIn Australia, the car that reaches and enters the roundabout first has priority. Drivers must also give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. No ‘give way to the right’ rule applies to roundabouts in Australia. In practice, however, many motorists still give way to the right (or fail to slow properly on approach to a roundabout) leading to the situation you describe. The NSW government clarifies that drivers should:
“When you approach a roundabout, you must slow down or stop to give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout. This means giving way to vehicles already in the roundabout on your right, and vehicles that have entered the roundabout from your left or from directly opposite you.”
If going into a roundabout from a one-lane road to two lanes in roundabout and then a two-lane road, do you need to keep in right lane or can you move to left lane as you will turn left a bit further along?
– Margaret LesjakIf you are entering a two-lane roundabout from a single-lane road, you can enter either lane on the roundabout provided it is clear of traffic.
We have two roundabouts that have five inputs and five outputs and there seems to be some confusion when travelling north as to whether you should indicate right when taking the third outlet (which is straight ahead on the highway).
Could you advise, as there have been some near collisions.
– Neville WynnThe general rule is to not indicate if you are travelling straight on a roundabout. On a large roundabout such as the one you describe, indicating off (i.e. left blinker) even when travelling straight will help avoid any confusion.
In a two-lane roundabout, does a car travelling straight through from the inner lane, permitted by signage, give way to traffic in the outer lane since it is changing lanes to exit the roundabout?
– Anne RusellIn the situation you describe, there would typically be two exit lanes on the roundabout. If these lanes merge into one beyond the roundabout, then normal merging rules apply – who has right of way may depend on signage, lane markings, and the relative positions of the vehicles.
If two people get to the roundabout at the same time, how is the best way to handle it?
– Rod DonovanAs there are no road rules that address this specific situation, courtesy is the best way to resolve it – give way and wave on the other driver if necessary.
