Roundabout ahead sign
What the Roundabout ahead sign means: There is a roundabout just ahead, so slow down and get ready to give way to vehicles already on it.
- Group
- Warning signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Not enforceable on its own. It changes nothing about right of way.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Ease off well before the roundabout so you arrive at a speed you can stop from.
- Choose your lane and your signal based on the exit you want, before you reach the give way line.
- Look right at the circulating traffic while you are still moving, so you can join a gap rather than stopping needlessly.
Where you see it
A few hundred metres before a roundabout on higher speed roads, and on the approach to roundabouts hidden by a crest, a bend or landscaping.
Across the states and territories
The warning is national. What changes is the roundabout it warns about: multi lane roundabouts with lane arrows are common on suburban arterials in Perth, Brisbane and Canberra, while a single lane country roundabout needs none of that reading.
Tell it apart from these
- Roundabout aheadthis pageRoundabout
This is the warning on the approach. The circular version at the give way line is the one carrying the rule.
Roundabout: Drive around the roundabout to the left of the central island and give way to any vehicle already in it.
- Roundabout aheadthis pageGive way ahead
Both prepare you to give way, but the roundabout version tells you the geometry as well as the duty.
Give way ahead: There is a give way sign just ahead, so slow down and get ready to give way.
How the knowledge tests use it
It is used to test lane choice and signalling, which are decided on the approach rather than inside the roundabout.
What does this sign mean?
The yellow diamond makes this a warning, so the roundabout itself is still ahead. It gives you time to slow and pick your exit.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Roundabout ahead sign mean?
- There is a roundabout just ahead, so slow down and get ready to give way to vehicles already on it.
- What should you do when you see a Roundabout ahead sign?
- Ease off well before the roundabout so you arrive at a speed you can stop from. Choose your lane and your signal based on the exit you want, before you reach the give way line. Look right at the circulating traffic while you are still moving, so you can join a gap rather than stopping needlessly.
- Where is the Roundabout ahead sign used?
- A few hundred metres before a roundabout on higher speed roads, and on the approach to roundabouts hidden by a crest, a bend or landscaping.
- What is the Roundabout ahead sign confused with?
- Roundabout: This is the warning on the approach. The circular version at the give way line is the one carrying the rule. Give way ahead: Both prepare you to give way, but the roundabout version tells you the geometry as well as the duty.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Roundabout ahead sign?
- It is used to test lane choice and signalling, which are decided on the approach rather than inside the roundabout.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More warning signs
Yellow diamond with a black symbol.