Roundabouts: Highway Code rules 184 to 190

Test yourself · 7

Seven questions on roundabout rules 184 to 190

Question 1 of 7

1. You want the first exit to the left at a roundabout. No signs or road markings say otherwise. How should you approach?

   • A Right lane, signalling left
   • B Left lane, signalling right
   • C Left lane, signalling left Right
   • D Right lane, signalling right

   The right answer is C: Left lane, signalling left

   WhyFor the first exit left, approach in the left-hand lane and signal left unless signs or markings say otherwise.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 186

   Report this question

2. You are taking an exit to the right. When should you change your signal to left?

   • A Before you enter the roundabout
   • B After you pass the exit before the one you want Right
   • C As you pass the first exit
   • D Only once you have left

   The right answer is B: After you pass the exit before the one you want

   WhySignal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 186

   Report this question

3. You are taking an exit between the first and the last (an intermediate exit). What does the Highway Code say about signalling as you approach?

   • A Always signal right
   • B Normally no signal on approach Right
   • C Always signal left
   • D Use your hazard lights

   The right answer is B: Normally no signal on approach

   WhyFor an intermediate exit, select the appropriate lane on approach (follow signs and markings); you should not normally need to signal on approach. Signal left after passing the exit before yours.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 186

   Report this question

4. A cyclist in the left-hand lane is signalling right as they go round the roundabout. What does that tell you?

   • A They are leaving at the next exit
   • B They are continuing round the roundabout Right
   • C They want you to overtake them
   • D They are turning back

   The right answer is B: They are continuing round the roundabout

   WhyCyclists, horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane to continue around, and should signal right to show they are not leaving.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 186

   Report this question

5. A horse rider keeps to the left on a roundabout and gives a right-arm signal while approaching an exit. What intention should you allow for?

   • A Continuing around past that exit Right
   • B Leaving at that exit despite the right signal
   • C Stopping to let all following traffic pass
   • D Moving immediately into the innermost lane

   The right answer is A: Continuing around past that exit

   WhyHorse riders may keep left on roundabouts and signal right across exits to show they are continuing around.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 55, The Highway Code, rule 186

   Report this question

6. At a mini-roundabout, what must you do about the white central marking when you are in a car?

   • A Drive over it if the junction is clear
   • B Pass round it Right
   • C Stop on it to turn right
   • D Treat it as a give way line

   The right answer is B: Pass round it

   WhyAll vehicles must pass round the central markings, except large vehicles that are physically incapable of doing so.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 188

   Report this question

7. What does this sign mean?

   

   • A Let traffic on the major road go first
   • B Give way to traffic from your immediate right Right
   • C A roundabout is ahead
   • D Pass on the left of the island or bollard

   The right answer is B: Give way to traffic from your immediate right

   WhyMini-roundabout sign. The mini-roundabout sign means a mini-roundabout is ahead: give way to traffic from your immediate right and go round the white central circle, not over it.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 185, GOV.UK, The Highway Code, rule 188, GOV.UK, Know your traffic signs: road markings, GOV.UK, Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK, The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK, Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK

   Report this question

Try again

Your first full mock test in the app is free.

Your topics

• Road and traffic signsKnow it
• Motorway rulesOn the way
• Vulnerable road usersStamped

In the app, questions you miss come back until you get them right. 5 questions a day are free.

62 free questions on this website and 372 in the app, checked against The Highway Code, with the reason for every answer. About the app

Out now on iPhone and Android.

• 
• 
• Have an iPhone? App Store
• Have an Android phone? Google Play

The rule in plain words

Decide early which exit you want, then pick your lane and signal to match (rule 184). As you reach the roundabout, give way to traffic coming from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise (rule 185). Keep watching the people already on the roundabout: they may not signal, or may signal wrongly.

Rule 186 sets out the signals and lanes when no signs or markings say otherwise:

• First exit (left): signal left, approach in the left-hand lane, keep left and keep signalling left to leave.
• An exit to the right, or full circle: signal right, approach in the right-hand lane, keep right, then signal left once you have passed the exit before the one you want.
• Any exit in between: choose the appropriate lane for your exit as you approach. You should not normally need to signal on the way in. Signal left after you have passed the exit before yours.

Cyclists and horse riders are slower. Give them plenty of room and do not try to overtake them within their lane. In the Highway Code’s words: “You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout”.

What rules 184 to 190 say

What it means in practice

You are going straight on

On most roundabouts straight on is one of the exits in between. Follow any lane arrows. With none, choose the lane that suits your exit on the way in, go in without a signal, and signal left once you pass the exit before yours.

A cyclist in the left lane is signalling right

They are not leaving at the next exit: they are carrying on round the roundabout. Rule 186 says to let them cross your path and not to cut across them as you join or leave.

A lorry is taking up two lanes

Long vehicles may need to straddle lanes, either on the way in or on the roundabout itself. Rule 187 says watch their signals and give them plenty of room. Do not try to squeeze alongside.

Common mistakes

• Signalling right all the way round and never signalling left. People waiting at your exit need your left signal to know you are leaving.
• Signalling right for straight on. For an exit in between you should not normally signal on the way in.
• Driving over a mini-roundabout. Cars must go round the white marking. Only large vehicles that physically cannot may cross it.
• Looking only to the right. Rule 185 also says to look forward: the car in front may not have moved off yet.
• Treating two mini-roundabouts as one. At double mini-roundabouts, give way to traffic from the right at each one.

Questions about roundabout rules

Who has priority at a roundabout in the UK?

Traffic coming from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise. Source: rule 185.

Which lane should I use to go straight on?

Follow the lane arrows and signs if there are any. If there are none, choose the lane that suits your exit on the way in and stay in it. You should not normally need to signal on approach. Source: rule 186.

When do I signal left to leave a roundabout?

After you have passed the exit before the one you want. For the first exit you signal left from the start. Source: rule 186.

Can I drive over a mini-roundabout?

No. All vehicles must pass round the central marking, except large vehicles that physically cannot. Source: rule 188.

Read next

• Roundabouts quiz: 8 questions
• Rules of the road theory test questions
• Roundabout ahead sign and mini-roundabout sign
• Junctions: rules 170 to 183

Sources

(3)

1. The Highway Code: roundabouts (rules 184 to 190), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
2. The Highway Code, rule 186 (signals and position), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
3. The Highway Code, rule 55 (horse riders at roundabouts), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Quotes from The Highway Code and the sign image are Crown copyright. Sources and image credits.