Roundabout sign
What the Roundabout sign means: Drive around the roundabout to the left of the central island and give way to any vehicle already in it.
- Group
- Regulatory signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. Disobeying one is an offence in itself.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Slow on the approach and pick your lane before you get there, based on the exit you want.
- Signal right if you are going right or turning back, left if you are taking the first exit, and nothing on the approach if you are going straight through.
- Give way to any vehicle already on the roundabout.
- Signal left before you leave, once you have passed the exit before yours, and cancel it after you are out.
Where you see it
At the intersection itself, mounted on the splitter island or beside the give way line, often with a lane arrangement plate showing which lane serves which exit.
Across the states and territories
The give way rule is the same in every state and territory: give way to anything already in the roundabout, not to the right. Lane arrow plates and multi lane markings vary in style between jurisdictions, so read the plate at the roundabout in front of you rather than the one you are used to.
Tell it apart from these
- Roundaboutthis pageRoundabout ahead
The yellow diamond is a warning some distance back. The circular sign is at the roundabout itself and carries the give way rule.
Roundabout ahead: There is a roundabout just ahead, so slow down and get ready to give way to vehicles already on it.
- Roundaboutthis pageGive way
A plain give way sign asks you to give way to everything on the road you are entering. At a roundabout the duty is narrower and specific to vehicles already circulating.
Give way: Slow down and be ready to stop so you can give way to any traffic or pedestrians already there.
How the knowledge tests use it
Signalling is the part that catches people out, particularly the left signal on exit, which is required whenever it is practicable to give it.
What does this sign mean?
The blue disc with three curved arrows marks the roundabout itself. In Australia you always travel clockwise around it, keeping the central island on your right.
Australian Road Rules rule 114, giving way at a roundabout
Common questions
- What does the Roundabout sign mean?
- Drive around the roundabout to the left of the central island and give way to any vehicle already in it.
- What should you do when you see a Roundabout sign?
- Slow on the approach and pick your lane before you get there, based on the exit you want. Signal right if you are going right or turning back, left if you are taking the first exit, and nothing on the approach if you are going straight through. Give way to any vehicle already on the roundabout. Signal left before you leave, once you have passed the exit before yours, and cancel it after you are out.
- Where is the Roundabout sign used?
- At the intersection itself, mounted on the splitter island or beside the give way line, often with a lane arrangement plate showing which lane serves which exit.
- What is the Roundabout sign confused with?
- Roundabout ahead: The yellow diamond is a warning some distance back. The circular sign is at the roundabout itself and carries the give way rule. Give way: A plain give way sign asks you to give way to everything on the road you are entering. At a roundabout the duty is narrower and specific to vehicles already circulating.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Roundabout sign?
- Signalling is the part that catches people out, particularly the left signal on exit, which is required whenever it is practicable to give it.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More regulatory signs
Mostly white with red or black, and usually round or rectangular.