Mini Roundabouts

"For a long time I've been trying to understand roundabouts, it feels like I'm just going in circles."

Ok, so the magic roundabout in Hemal Hempstead may not be on your test route, but the examiners will no doubt have found some challenging roundabouts to test you.

Have a look at our page on test routes to find out where your local nightmare is hiding. They can come in many forms and what looks to be just another road system is a roundabout in disguise. Right, let's start small and work our way up.

An Introduction to roundabouts

The roundabout has been on the roads for over a century, but it was only in the 60s that the British went crazy with them. The Brits introduced giving way to traffic from the drivers side and decided the mini roundabout would be awfully good fun. The design is meant to improve traffic flow at junctions rather than fill the place with traffic lights, generally this works until someone ignores the fact that their exit is blocked and then stops, blocking someone else's entry or exit.

Start small and work your way up to a large spiral roundabout.

Mini Roundabout

Typically, mini roundabouts only have one approach lane but do watch out for a sneaky second lane and ensure you are in the correct lane based on the road markings. They are only small so you don't have much time to trigger your indicators.

Turning Left

• Make sure you are indicating left.

• If there are 2 lanes check the markings but it is highly likely you need to be in the left lane.

• Check for traffic coming from the right

• Entry and exit should be quick and off you go

Going Straight Ahead

• No indication required on the approach to the roundabout

• If there is more than 1 lane check the markings to see which lane you need to be in

• Check for traffic coming from the right

• Once you are level with the first exit, indicated left to exit the roundabout

• Exit the roundabout

Turning Right

• Make sure you are indicating right

• If there is more than 1 lane check the markings to see which lane you need to be in

• Check for traffic coming from the right

• Once you are level with the first exit, indicated left to exit the roundabout

• Exit the roundabout

Top Tip - If you look ahead as you approach the mini roundabout you will probably be able to see all the exits and how busy the roundabout is. If there is no traffic, rather than stopping to enter the roundabout you can proceed through with no stopping.

Smashed learning to drive a mini roundabout? Move on to the double-mini roundabout. Twice the fun!

Double Mini Rounadbouts