Rules for roundabouts in the UK?

Question

I've checked the Highway Code but it's a bit vague on this one. If going straight on (second exit) at a roundabout and there are two lanes on the roundabout approach, which lane should I be in? I say it's the left hand lane. My brother says it's either lane, my husband says it's the right hand lane and the Highway Code states it's the 'appropriate' lane. I reckon there must be a fixed rule about this - I'm in the UK after all and we love our rules! Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Answer 1

its the left hand lane then indicate left when you pass the first junction.

Answer 2

if your turning is before 12oclock as you look at the roundabout then you stay in the left lane..if its after then you stay in the right....well thats what i always do and its what i was taught by my instructor!

Answer 3

view the roundabout as a clock face, if the exit you are taking is at 12 o'clock(straight ahead) or earlier then you should  be in the left hand lane. You can use the right hand lane for straight ahead if the road leading to the roundabout is a dual carriageway and the exit road is a dual carriageway.

Answer 4

You can go in either lane yes, i normally take the left lane though.

Answer 5

i would stay in the left and only use the right if i was going all the round and back where i came from

Answer 6

your husband is correct , i only found this out after had to do a safety driving test at work with the AA

Answer 7

I was taught the same as Razzle.

Answer 8

Either lane unless lanes are marked up to tell you!!

Answer 9

If there are no arrows painted in the lane, use the left hand lane but do not indicate left until you are just past the first exit. If there is a left only arrow, use the right hand lane and indicate left once on the roundabout. It all depends on the layout of that particular roundabout.

Answer 10

The left hand lane unless its marked otherwise would be the best lane to be in for going straight on.

However fully expect the car in the right hand lane to go straight over aswell.

Left lane = 1st exit all the way to straight over.

right lane = anything from straight over to back the way you just came.

IF you are in the wrong lane make sure that you have your right hand indicator on so the car that is about to come flying out of nowhere can not claim they did not know your intentions.

Safe Driving!

Answer 11

Unless road markings say otherwise - approach in and maintain the left hand lane.

It is not illegal to use the right hand lane - you can use this one if the approach to the roundabout is busy to keep traffic flowing.

Basically - right hand lanes are only for turning right or overtaking - so you would only use a right hand lane to go straight on if there was a queue on the left!

If you are learning to drive, then definitely stick to the left hand lane no matter how big a queue or you can find yourself in all sorts of bother exiting the roundabout with traffic cutting you up on the inside! Also - why would a learner be overtaking (in the right hand lane) approaching a roundabout?

Answer 12

its simple like a clock face remember this

if after midnight go right

it simply means if you are going of the r/bout after the 12 o clock position you must be in the right lane and indicating

Answer 13

you use the left hand lane when your going left or Straight ahead, and use the right hand lane when going right.

Answer 14

To go straight-on you can use either lane unless signs state otherwise.

If you enter the roundabout in the right lane, make sure you exit into the right lane as well, otherwise you'll carve-up the left lane occupants.

In a nutshell, the highway code and your Brother are correct, for either lane, read 'the appropriate lane'.

At the risk of getting more 'thumbs down' for saying the highway code is correct, I'm sure all contributors will agree that questions like these perfectly illustrate the need for re-tests in the UK, as the average motorist clealy has no idea how to drive. They're taught how to pass their test and that's it.

It's shamefull how little people know!

Answer 15

Either lane is correct. Also give way to traffic on the right and signal when you are turning off the roundabout.

Answer 16

left lane, in my case...at night no glasses, straight over it does it nicely!!!

Answer 17

For every person who has said "...right lane..." or "...either lane...".

Wait until you cause an accident.  Then you will find out how wrong you actually are...

Answer 18

2 lanes to roundabout approach. Assuming there are 4 (yes, *4*) exits:

Left lane = turn left or straight across.

Right lane = turn right or all the way back on yourself round the roundabout.

Answer 19

Firstly when I passed my driving test, many moons again - I was told keep in the left lane, but many islands/roundabouts have 3 or 4 lanes these days and you should follow the arrow appropriate to that exit.

Answer 20

it is the left hand lane USUALLY, however there are sometimes exceptions. For example there is a roundabout in my home town of Hartlepool where you can only go left in the left hand lane; to go straight on or right, its the right hand lane. However this is the only roundabout I know of thats like this, and if thats the case there is a sign well in advance asking you to get in lane.

If there is no sign, it is always the left hand lane for going straight on, but if in doubt there are road markings with arrows that say which lane you'd need to be in.

If you're learning to drive, good luck with it all! Hope that helps x*x

Answer 21

left hand lane unless marked otherwise shame all drivers dont think to ask

Answer 22

just asses the situation drive safe and watch out for the other idiots doing what they do when loose on the roads,good look out there.

Answer 23

It depends on the road layout. If the left hand lane is unsuitable for going straight across (e.g. there is a bollard in the way or it is only for turning left) then use the right lane but as a general rule the left lane is for turning left or going straight ahead. If you are on a dual carriageway and there is a roundabout, you can stay in whichever lane you are already in as long as it joins back onto the road.

Just look at the road signs/markings and use your own judgment.

Answer 24

i believe its the left lane