Mastering the Roundabout :

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Highway Code Rule 186

📖 Rule 186 Full Regulations & Explanation

Rule 186 ↗
Signals and position. When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
you should not normally need to signal on approach
stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.

You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.

Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout. Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout.

Text shown in the rule image

Mastering the Roundabout :

A Guide to Rule 186

LEFT TURN ( FIRST EXIT )

RIGHT TURN OR FULL CIRCLE

SIGNAL LEFT and APPROACH IN LEFT LANE :

Unless signs or markings indicate otherwise , you must signal left on approach and stay in the left - hand lane .

MAINTAIN SIGNAL THROUGH EXIT :

Keep to the left side of the roundabout and continue signalling left until you have completed the exit .

SIGNAL RIGHT and APPROACH IN RIGHT LANE :

Unless signs indicate otherwise , approach in the right - hand lane while signalling right .

KEEP RIGHT UNTIL EXITING : Maintain your position on the right side of the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit .

SWITCH SIGNAL AFTER PENULTIMATE EXIT : Signal left specifically after you have passed the exit immediately preceding the one you intend to take .

INTERMEDIATE EXITS

SELECT THE APPROPRIATE LANE : Choose the correct lane based on markings on the approach ; you do not normally need to signal when approaching the roundabout for an intermediate exit .

STAY IN LANE UNTIL EXIT : Maintain your chosen lane until you need to after your course to leave the roundabout .

SIGNAL LEFT TO EXIT : Similar to right turns , signal left once you have passed the exit before the one you want .

HANDLING 3+ LANES :

When a roundabout entrance has more than three lanes , select and stay in the most appropriate lane on approach and throughout the junction .

COMPLEX JUNCTIONS & VULNERABLE USERS GIVE PRIORITY TO CYCLISTS : Cyclists travel slower than motorized traffic ; give them plenty of room and neroer and never attempt to overtake them within their lane .

LOOK FOR THE " RIGHT " SIGNAL IN THE LEFT LANE : Cyclists and horse riders may stay in the left lane even when turning right ; they will signal right to show they are continuing around the roundabout .

DO NOT CUT ACROSS : Drivers must take extra care not to cut across the path of horse riders or cyclists who are continuing around the roundabout In the left - hand lane .