Roundabout Rules in Queensland: Drive Smarter, Drive Safer
Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic moving, but they can be confusing if you are unsure about giving way, lane positioning or signalling.
In Queensland, the rules for roundabouts are quite straightforward once you understand the basic principles.
The most important thing to remember is this:
When entering a roundabout, you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
It doesn't matter whether that vehicle is approaching from your left, right or directly in front of you. If it is already on the roundabout, you must give way before entering.
At Got My L's Driving School, we spend plenty of time helping learner drivers understand not just what to do at a roundabout, but why they need to do it. Once the process becomes familiar, roundabouts become much easier and less stressful.
What Are the Basic Roundabout Rules in Queensland?
Before getting into individual situations, there are a few simple principles every Queensland driver should understand.
When approaching a roundabout:
- Slow down and prepare to give way.
- Look for road signs and lane arrows.
- Check for vehicles already circulating on the roundabout.
- Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Choose the correct lane before entering.
- Follow the direction of any arrows or road markings.
- Use your indicators correctly.
- Stay in your lane unless it is safe and legal to change lanes.
- Check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or exiting.
A roundabout is not a place to rush.
Take your time, look well ahead and be prepared to give way.
Who Has Right of Way at a Queensland Roundabout?
This is probably the biggest misunderstanding we see.
You may have been told:
"Always give way to the car coming from the right."
That is not the rule at a roundabout.
At a roundabout, you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
For example, imagine you are approaching a roundabout and another vehicle is already circulating.
Even if that vehicle is coming from your left, you must give way to it.
Likewise, if the vehicle is on your right, you must give way.
The important question isn't:
"Which side is the car coming from?"
The important question is:
"Is the vehicle already on the roundabout?"
If it is, give way before entering.
Queensland Government — Roundabouts
Choosing the Correct Lane at a Roundabout
On a multi-lane roundabout, lane selection is extremely important.
Unless signs or road arrows tell you otherwise, Queensland's general rule is:
Turning left
Use the left lane.
Going straight ahead
You can generally use either lane.
Turning right
Use the right lane.
Making a U-turn
Use the right lane.
However, there is one very important rule:
Always follow the arrows, lane markings and signs at the particular roundabout.
If road markings tell you to use a particular lane, those markings take priority over the general rule.
This is particularly important because not every multi-lane roundabout is laid out in exactly the same way.
Turning Left at a Roundabout
If you are taking the first exit to the left, the procedure is straightforward.
Before entering
- Position your vehicle in the left lane, unless signs or arrows indicate otherwise.
- Check your mirrors.
- Signal left.
- Slow down and check for vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Give way if necessary.
On the roundabout
Stay in the appropriate lane and follow the road markings.
Exiting
Continue indicating left as you leave the roundabout.
Once you have completed the turn and exited the roundabout, cancel your indicator.
Leonie's tip
Don't wait until you are already halfway around the roundabout before indicating.
Your indicator should help other road users understand what you intend to do.
Going Straight Ahead at a Roundabout
Going straight ahead is another situation that causes confusion.
Generally, you do not need to indicate when approaching the roundabout if you are going straight ahead.
However, you should indicate left when you are about to exit, where it is practical to do so.
Before entering
- Choose the appropriate lane based on signs and arrows.
- If there are no arrows or signs requiring a particular lane, you can generally use either lane.
- Slow down.
- Check for vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Give way when required.
On the roundabout
Stay in your lane and follow the road markings.
Before exiting
Signal left when you are approaching your exit, where practical.
Then cancel your indicator once you have left the roundabout.
A common learner mistake
Some learners think:
"I'm going straight, so I don't need to indicate at all."
That's not quite right.
You don't generally signal on approach when travelling straight ahead, but you should signal left when exiting if practical.
Turning Right at a Roundabout
When turning right, the process is slightly different.
Before entering
- Position yourself in the right lane, unless signs or arrows indicate otherwise.
- Check your mirrors.
- Signal right.
- Slow down.
- Look for vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Give way before entering if necessary.
While circulating
Continue signalling right while travelling around the roundabout until you are ready to leave.
Before exiting
Signal left before your exit, where practical.
Then cancel your indicator once you have exited.
Important
You cannot simply turn right from the left lane on a multi-lane roundabout because it feels convenient.
You must use the right lane unless road arrows or markings specifically allow you to turn right from another lane.
What About a U-Turn at a Roundabout?
A U-turn is treated in the same general way as a right turn for roundabout positioning.
Unless signs or arrows indicate otherwise:
- Approach in the right lane.
- Signal right.
- Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Stay in the appropriate lane.
- Signal left before exiting.
- Cancel your indicator once you have left the roundabout.
A U-turn takes you more than halfway around the roundabout, so it is important to think about your position and signalling before you enter.
What If the Roundabout Has Multiple Lanes?
This is where drivers need to pay close attention.
Don't assume every multi-lane roundabout works exactly the same way.
Look for:
- lane arrows
- painted lane lines
- directional signs
- spiral markings
- lane changes permitted or prohibited
- the number of lanes on the exit
Queensland's general rules provide the starting point, but road markings and arrows can change the way you need to approach and travel through a particular roundabout.
Never ignore an arrow on the road.
If an arrow tells you where that lane can go, you must follow it.
This is one of the reasons we encourage learner drivers to look well ahead rather than concentrating only on the vehicle immediately in front of them.
Spiral Roundabouts in Queensland
Some Queensland roundabouts use spiral lane markings.
These markings are designed to guide vehicles through the roundabout and into the appropriate exit lane.
They can look complicated at first, but the same principles still apply:
Follow the road markings.
For a first exit, the Queensland Government guidance generally requires the left-hand lane, with a left indicator on approach and while exiting.
If you are travelling beyond the first exit on a spiral-marked roundabout, you need to pay particular attention to the lane arrows and markings.
You should not enter from the left lane to travel beyond the first exit unless the arrows indicate that you can.
If a lane change is required, you must:
- indicate your intention to change lanes
- give way to vehicles already in the lane
- check that it is safe
- move only when it is safe to do so
Never assume another driver will move out of your way.
Signalling at Queensland Roundabouts
Correct signalling is one of the easiest ways to communicate your intentions to other drivers.
Here's the simple version:
| Your intended movement |
Approach signal |
Exit signal |
| Turn left |
Left |
Continue left |
| Go straight |
No signal generally required |
Left |
| Turn right |
Right |
Left |
| U-turn |
Right |
Left |
Always remember that road signs and lane arrows can change the way you need to position yourself.
The official TMR video you referenced explains these signalling procedures particularly well.
Queensland Road Rules — Signalling at Roundabouts (TMR)
Don't Forget to Look Beyond the Car in Front
One of the most important defensive-driving habits at a roundabout is looking through and beyond the intersection.
Don't simply stare at the vehicle immediately in front of you.
Look for:
- vehicles already circulating
- vehicles approaching from other entries
- pedestrians
- cyclists
- motorcycles
- large trucks
- vehicles indicating incorrectly
- vehicles that appear to be travelling too quickly
The Queensland Government specifically recommends taking extra care around motorcycles, bicycles and personal mobility devices because they can be harder to see. Large trucks may also require more room to complete their manoeuvre.
Defensive driving means expecting mistakes.
Even if you are following the rules correctly, another driver might not be.
If another vehicle approaches the roundabout incorrectly, being technically right won't prevent a crash.
Slow down, keep looking and be prepared to react.
Common Roundabout Mistakes We See
Roundabouts become much easier when you know what to watch for.
❌ Giving way only to vehicles on your right
This is one of the most common misunderstandings.
Correct: Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
❌ Forgetting to signal when exiting
Going straight doesn't mean you never use your indicator.
Correct: Signal left when exiting, where practical.
❌ Turning right from the left lane
On a multi-lane roundabout, this is generally not permitted unless the road arrows or markings allow it.
Correct: Use the right lane for a right turn unless signs or arrows say otherwise.
❌ Changing lanes without checking
Don't move across another lane simply because your exit is approaching.
Correct: Indicate, check your mirrors and blind spots, give way where required and only change lanes when safe.
❌ Looking only at the car directly in front
The vehicle in front may be doing something unexpected.
Correct: Keep scanning the entire roundabout.
❌ Entering because you think you have enough time
A gap can disappear quickly.
Correct: Take the time to identify a safe gap and be prepared to stop.
A Simple Roundabout Routine for Learners
If roundabouts still feel overwhelming, try breaking the process into a routine.
1. SLOW
Reduce your speed as you approach.
2. LOOK
Look for signs, arrows, lane markings and traffic.
3. CHOOSE
Select your lane before entering.
4. SIGNAL
Use the correct indicator for your intended movement.
5. GIVE WAY
Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
6. ENTER
Once it is safe, enter smoothly.
7. STAY IN YOUR LANE
Follow the road markings.
8. SIGNAL LEFT
Signal before exiting where required/practical.
9. CHECK
Keep checking what's happening around you.
This routine can make a complicated-looking roundabout much easier to manage.
Roundabouts and Your Queensland Driving Test
Roundabouts are an important part of everyday driving, so they are also something learner drivers need to become comfortable with during their lessons.
Your goal shouldn't simply be to memorise:
"Left lane, right lane, indicate this way."
Instead, you should understand why you are doing it.
A confident driver should be able to:
- approach at an appropriate speed
- identify the correct lane
- read road arrows and signs
- recognise vehicles already on the roundabout
- give way correctly
- signal appropriately
- maintain good observation
- stay in the correct lane
- safely exit the roundabout
- respond appropriately if another driver makes a mistake
That's what turns roundabout knowledge into real-world driving skill.
The Biggest Roundabout Rule to Remember
If you remember only one thing from this article, make it this:
Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
Don't worry about whether they're coming from the left or the right.
If they're already on the roundabout, you give way before entering.
Then remember:
Choose your lane → signal correctly → give way → enter safely → stay in your lane → signal left to exit.
Leonie's Tip 💡
"Take your time. Look well ahead and don't assume the other driver will do the right thing."
Roundabouts aren't a race.
If you're unsure, slow down, keep looking and make sure you understand what's happening before you enter.
With practice, what initially feels complicated becomes a simple routine.
Practice makes confidence. Confidence makes safe drivers.
Learn Roundabouts with Got My L's Driving School
At Got My L's Driving School, we don't want learners to simply memorise road rules for their driving test.
We want you to understand how to apply them when you're driving on your own.
Roundabouts are something we can practise in real Queensland traffic, including different types of single-lane, multi-lane and more complex roundabouts.
Whether you're just starting your Ls or getting ready for your practical driving test, building confidence at roundabouts can make a huge difference to your overall driving.
Got My L's Driving School
Helping Queensland learners become safer, more confident drivers.
Visit Got My L's Driving School
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I give way to the car on my right at a roundabout?
No. At a roundabout, you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout. It doesn't matter whether they are on your left or right.
Which lane should I use to turn left?
Generally, use the left lane, unless road arrows or signs indicate otherwise.
Which lane should I use to turn right?
Generally, use the right lane, unless road arrows or signs indicate otherwise.
Can I use either lane to go straight through a multi-lane roundabout?
Generally, yes. Unless signs or road arrows indicate otherwise, either lane can be used to go straight ahead.
Do I need to indicate when going straight through a roundabout?
You generally don't need to indicate when approaching the roundabout to go straight ahead. You should indicate left when exiting, where practical.
Do I indicate right for a U-turn?
Yes. A U-turn is treated as a movement more than halfway around the roundabout. Generally, approach in the right lane and signal right, then signal left before exiting.
What if there are arrows painted on the road?
Follow them. Road arrows and lane markings can change the normal lane-positioning rules.
What should I do if another driver enters the roundabout incorrectly?
Stay calm, maintain observation and be prepared to respond. Defensive driving is about avoiding a collision, not proving that you had right of way.
Official Queensland Roundabout Resources
For anyone wanting to check the rules directly, these are the resources we recommend:
Important: Road rules can change, and signs, arrows and lane markings at individual roundabouts can vary. Always follow the current Queensland Road Rules and the instructions displayed at the roundabout.