Roundabout Rules in Queensland: Drive Smarter!
Roundabouts are everywhere across Queensland, from quiet suburban streets to busy multi-lane intersections. Yet they are also one of the places where many drivers—both learners and experienced motorists—get confused.
Who gives way? Should you indicate when going straight ahead? Which lane should you use? What happens when there are two lanes?
Understanding the rules before you reach the roundabout can make driving smoother, safer and far less stressful.
At Got My L’s Driving School, we spend a lot of time helping learner drivers understand that roundabouts are not something to fear. Once you understand the basic rules and learn to plan ahead, they become much easier to navigate.
Key Takeaways
- You must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout before entering.
- It is not simply a case of giving way to the vehicle on your right.
- Turn left from the left lane unless signs or arrows tell you otherwise.
- Turn right or make a U-turn from the right lane unless signs or arrows tell you otherwise.
- If travelling straight ahead, you may use either lane unless road markings or signs direct you differently.
- Indicate left when leaving the roundabout if practicable.
- Follow all lane arrows and road markings, particularly at multi-lane and spiral roundabouts.
- Good observation and planning are just as important as knowing the road rules.
The Queensland Government's roundabout guidance is clear: when entering a roundabout, you must give way to any vehicle already on it.
Understanding the Most Important Roundabout Rule
One of the biggest misunderstandings we see is this:
“You always give way to the right.”
That is not the general rule for entering a roundabout.
In Queensland, when you approach a roundabout, you must give way to vehicles already travelling on the roundabout.
That vehicle might be approaching from your right, but it could also be directly in front of you or coming around from another direction. The important question is:
Is the vehicle already on the roundabout?
If the answer is yes, you must give way before entering.
This is why good observation is so important. Don't simply look to the right and assume it is safe. Scan the roundabout and identify any traffic that is already circulating.
Before You Enter: Plan Your Exit
One of the best habits a learner driver can develop is to decide where they are going before entering the roundabout.
Ask yourself:
- Am I turning left?
- Am I travelling straight ahead?
- Am I turning right?
- Am I making a U-turn?
- Are there lane arrows telling me which lane to use?
By answering these questions early, you give yourself time to choose the correct lane, indicate correctly and approach the roundabout calmly.
Trying to make these decisions at the last second is where many mistakes happen.
Turning Left at a Roundabout
If you are taking the first exit, you are generally turning left.
Unless road signs or lane arrows tell you otherwise, you should:
- Position your vehicle in the left lane.
- Indicate left as you approach the roundabout.
- Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Enter when it is safe.
- Stay in the appropriate lane.
- Continue indicating left as you exit.
Once you have exited the roundabout, cancel your indicator.
Simple rule:
First exit = left lane + left indicator.
Going Straight Ahead at a Roundabout
Going straight ahead is where many drivers become unsure about indicating.
If you are travelling straight ahead, there is generally no need to indicate when approaching or entering the roundabout.
However, before leaving the roundabout, you should indicate left if practicable.
Unless signs or lane arrows say otherwise, you may approach straight ahead using either lane on a multi-lane approach. You must then follow the appropriate lane markings through and out of the roundabout.
A good way to remember this is:
No indicator entering when going straight. Left indicator when exiting.
Turning Right or Making a U-Turn
If you are turning right or travelling more than halfway around the roundabout, you should generally approach from the right lane unless signs or arrows tell you otherwise.
The basic process is:
- Move into the correct lane early.
- Indicate right as you approach and enter.
- Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Continue around the roundabout in the correct lane.
- Before exiting, indicate left.
- Follow the lane markings through your exit.
Road markings and lane arrows always matter. You cannot simply choose whichever lane feels convenient if the road markings direct you otherwise.
Simple rule:
Right turn or U-turn = right lane + right indicator, then left indicator when exiting.
The Clock Face Method
A simple way to help understand roundabouts is to imagine the roundabout as a clock.
- Before 12 o'clock = generally considered a left turn.
- At 12 o'clock = generally considered straight ahead.
- After 12 o'clock = generally considered a right turn.
This can be particularly useful when learning how to decide whether you should indicate left, not indicate on entry, or indicate right.
However, always pay attention to the actual road signs, lane arrows and markings at the roundabout.
Multi-Lane Roundabouts: Where Drivers Need to Pay Extra Attention
Multi-lane roundabouts require more planning.
Before you enter, look for:
- Directional signs.
- Lane arrows painted on the road.
- Road markings.
- Signs showing which exits each lane can use.
Do not wait until you are halfway around the roundabout to realise you are in the wrong lane.
If arrows indicate that a lane is for turning left only, you must follow that direction. If a lane allows straight ahead and right, you may choose one of those directions—but not another direction that is not shown.
Queensland road rules require drivers to follow applicable lane arrows when driving in or leaving a roundabout.
Don't Change Lanes Without Checking
Some larger roundabouts require drivers to change lanes as they travel around them. This is particularly important on spiral roundabouts.
Changing lanes on a roundabout follows the same basic safety principles as changing lanes elsewhere.
You need to:
- Check your mirrors.
- Check your blind spot where appropriate.
- Indicate.
- Give way to vehicles in the lane you are moving into.
- Only change lanes when it is safe.
Never assume another driver will make room for you just because you need to move across.
What Are Spiral Roundabouts?
Some Queensland roundabouts use spiral lane markings to guide drivers towards particular exits.
These roundabouts are designed to help organise traffic, but they can confuse drivers who don't look ahead.
The key is simple:
Follow the lane markings.
Do not cut across lanes at the last second to reach an exit.
If you realise you are in the wrong lane, it is usually safer to continue around the roundabout and find a safe opportunity to correct your route rather than making a sudden manoeuvre.
Common Roundabout Mistakes
1. Giving way only to the right
Many drivers approach a roundabout and automatically look right.
Instead, remember:
Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
The direction they are coming from is less important than whether they are already circulating.
2. Not indicating when exiting
Even if you are travelling straight ahead, indicating left when leaving the roundabout helps other drivers understand what you are doing.
It also helps traffic waiting to enter make safer decisions.
3. Choosing the wrong lane
This often happens because drivers wait too long to look at the lane arrows.
Check the signs and markings well before reaching the roundabout.
4. Cutting across another vehicle
On a multi-lane roundabout, stay in your lane unless you need to change lanes and can do so safely.
Never suddenly move across because you are about to miss your exit.
5. Entering too quickly
A roundabout is not something to rush.
Approach at a speed that allows you to:
- Read the signs.
- Check for traffic.
- Identify your gap.
- Give way when required.
- Enter safely.
Good driving is about planning ahead—not making rushed decisions at the last moment.
Roundabouts and Learner Drivers
For learner drivers, roundabouts can initially feel overwhelming because there are several things happening at once.
You may need to:
- Read the road signs.
- Choose a lane.
- Check mirrors.
- Indicate.
- Slow down.
- Observe traffic.
- Give way.
- Select a safe gap.
- Enter the roundabout.
- Maintain your lane position.
- Indicate when exiting.
The secret is not trying to do everything at once.
Instead, develop a routine.
A simple roundabout routine:
Plan → Position → Observe → Give Way → Enter → Exit
The more you practise this process, the more natural it becomes.
A Defensive Driving Approach to Roundabouts
Knowing the rules is essential, but defensive driving takes things a step further.
Never assume another driver:
- Has chosen the correct lane.
- Will indicate correctly.
- Will stay in their lane.
- Has seen you.
- Will follow the road rules perfectly.
That does not mean you should hesitate unnecessarily. It simply means staying alert and being prepared for mistakes.
At Got My L’s Driving School, we encourage learners to develop good observation habits and look well ahead of the vehicle.
A driver who plans early usually has more time to make safe decisions.
What Should You Do If You Miss Your Exit?
Don't panic.
Don't brake suddenly.
Don't cut across another lane.
Don't stop on the roundabout.
Instead, continue safely around the roundabout and take the appropriate exit when it is safe to do so.
Missing an exit might cost you a few extra minutes.
Making a sudden or unsafe manoeuvre could cause a crash.
Roundabout Rules: Quick Reference Guide
| Where are you going? |
Lane position* |
Indicator when entering |
Indicator when exiting |
| Turning left / first exit |
Left lane |
Left |
Continue left |
| Going straight ahead |
Either lane unless marked otherwise |
No indicator required |
Left before exiting |
| Turning right |
Right lane |
Right |
Left before exiting |
| Making a U-turn |
Right lane |
Right |
Left before exiting |
*Always follow road signs, lane arrows and markings where they provide different directions.
Final Thoughts: Drive Smarter, Not Faster
Roundabouts don't have to be stressful.
The biggest mistakes usually happen when drivers rush, fail to plan or rely on assumptions about what other drivers will do.
The best approach is simple:
Plan your exit early. Choose the correct lane. Give way to vehicles already on the roundabout. Stay aware of your surroundings. Indicate correctly and follow the lane markings.
Once these habits become automatic, roundabouts become just another part of everyday driving.
At Got My L’s Driving School, we help learner drivers build confidence by practising real-world driving situations—including the roundabouts they are likely to encounter around North Lakes, Redcliffe, Mango Hill, Deception Bay and Kallangur.
The goal isn't simply to get through the driving test.
It's to help you become a confident, safe and capable driver for life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roundabouts in Queensland
Who has right of way at a roundabout in Queensland?
When entering a roundabout, you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout. It is not simply a rule of giving way to the vehicle on your right.
Do I have to indicate when going straight ahead at a roundabout?
You generally do not need to indicate when approaching or entering if you are going straight ahead. However, you should indicate left when leaving the roundabout if practicable.
Which lane should I use when turning left?
Unless signs or road markings indicate otherwise, use the left lane when taking the first exit or turning left.
Which lane should I use when turning right?
Unless signs or lane arrows indicate otherwise, approach from the right lane when turning right or travelling more than halfway around the roundabout.
Can I change lanes on a roundabout?
Yes, where permitted and safe, but you must indicate and give way to vehicles already in the lane you are moving into.
What happens if I am in the wrong lane?
Do not suddenly cut across another lane or make an unsafe manoeuvre. Continue safely and, where necessary, go around again or follow the route available from your lane.
Do I have to follow lane arrows at a roundabout?
Yes. If lane arrows apply to your lane, you must drive in or leave the roundabout in one of the directions shown by those arrows.
What is the easiest way to remember roundabout rules?
Use this simple process:
Plan → Position → Observe → Give Way → Enter → Exit
The more you practise this routine, the easier roundabouts become.
