Teaching roundabouts: a guide for driving instructors

Roundabouts are one of the most common sources of learner anxiety. Traffic is moving, the learner has to judge gaps, choose a lane, signal correctly and steer, all within a few seconds. Many supervising drivers also teach the signalling rules slightly incorrectly, so you may be correcting habits as well as building new skills.

This guide sets out the rules as Transport for NSW explains them, then gives you a step-by-step way to teach roundabouts, from a parked briefing to busy multi-lane roundabouts.

The rules, as NSW explains them

The points below summarise the NSW Government roundabouts guide. Road rules in other states and territories are based on the same national model rules, but check your state’s road rules for any differences.

Giving way

Drivers must slow down or stop to give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout. In Australia, traffic travels clockwise around a roundabout, so most of that traffic will be coming from the learner’s right.

Signalling

Where you’re going	On approach	Before exiting
Turning left	Signal left	Keep signalling left
Going straight ahead	No signal needed	Signal left if practical
Turning right	Signal right	Signal left if practical
U-turn	Approach in the right lane and signal right	Signal left if practical

Cancel the indicator once you have exited. On a small, single-lane roundabout, signalling left to exit when going straight may not be practical.

Lanes on multi-lane roundabouts

• Follow the arrows or signs on the road.
• Without arrows, turn left from the left lane and right from the right lane. You can go straight ahead from either lane unless arrows reserve a lane for turning.
• To change lanes inside a roundabout, there must be a broken white line. Signal, check the blind spot and give way to traffic in the other lane.

Cyclists and pedestrians

Cyclists are entitled to use a full lane and follow the same rules as other vehicles, except that on multi-lane roundabouts they can turn right from the left lane. That means a cyclist in the left lane may continue past an exit your learner is about to take. When turning at a roundabout, drivers must still take care to avoid pedestrians and give way at any pedestrian crossing.

Common rule mistakes to correct

• Signalling left or right when going straight ahead on approach. No signal is needed; it can mislead other drivers.
• Forgetting the left signal before exiting. Signal left before exiting if it is practical.
• Forgetting to cancel the indicator after exiting.
• Turning right from the left lane on a multi-lane roundabout without arrows that allow it.
• Changing lanes across a solid line inside the roundabout.

How to teach roundabouts, step by step

Step 1: brief while parked

Before the learner drives through a roundabout, park nearby and explain with a simple diagram or a phone photo: which way traffic flows, who gives way, and how signals work for left, straight and right. Ask the learner to talk you through each option. That way you correct misunderstandings before you are moving.

Step 2: quiet single-lane roundabouts

Choose a quiet roundabout with good visibility. Have the learner go straight ahead first, then left, then right. Focus on the approach: mirrors, slowing early, looking right and judging gaps.

Step 3: judging gaps

Gap judgement is the hardest part. Practise it by parking near a quiet roundabout and asking, “Which of those gaps would you take?” before they have to make the call themselves. Encourage the learner to slow early so they can roll in if the way is clear, but to be ready to stop. Hesitating and then going late is a common risk.

Step 4: busier and multi-lane roundabouts

Once the learner is consistent, move to busier roundabouts, then multi-lane ones. Brief lane choice before each one: “At this roundabout we’re turning right, so which lane do we need?” Watch for drivers in the next lane cutting across, and teach the learner to avoid sitting alongside other vehicles where possible.

Step 5: unusual layouts and large vehicles

Include oval or elongated roundabouts, those with lane arrows, and roundabouts with nearby pedestrian crossings. Teach learners to give long vehicles plenty of room, as they may need more space to turn.

Instruction scripts that work

• Early direction: “At the roundabout, take the third exit. That’s turning right.”
• Approach: “Check your mirror, signal right, ease off.”
• Give way: “Look right. Is there a gap?”
• Exit: “Signal left after you pass the exit before ours.”
• After exiting: “Cancel your indicator. Check your mirror.”

Count exits clockwise from the learner’s entry point, and say the exit number together with “left”, “straight” or “right” so they can choose the signal and lane.

What to watch from the passenger seat

• Head turning right well before the give way line
• Speed on approach, ideally slowing early rather than braking late
• Hands steady through the turn and lane position held
• Mirror check and left signal before the exit
• Indicator cancelled after the exit

Keep the dual brake ready. If a learner hesitates and then lunges into a gap, the risk usually comes from the right. Debrief roundabouts while parked, using the same diagram from your briefing.

Frequently asked questions

Thinking about becoming a driving instructor? Book a free consultation to see whether the career suits you, or read the TLI41225 course overview. Instructor licensing requirements also vary by state, so see our state pathways for the requirements where you plan to teach.