Turn left on entering and go clockwise. Yield to traffic from your right or already on the roundabout, but keep moving if it’s clear. Exits from 6 to 12 o’clock: approach in the left lane; from 12 to 6 o’clock: the right lane — unless lane markings say otherwise. Going straight, don’t indicate until you pass the exit before yours. Never drive over a mini-roundabout’s painted circle.
What the law actually says
Much of what drivers think of as roundabout “law” is guidance. These are the parts that are legally binding:
- Turn left on entering. “When entering a roundabout, a driver shall turn to the left” (Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, Art. 15).
- Yield at the entry. Roundabout entries have a yield line where approaching traffic yields to traffic already circulating; you must yield to traffic on the major road.
- Changing lanes. You must not move from one lane to another without yielding to traffic in that lane (Art. 8).
- Lane arrows. Where arrows are painted in a lane, you must follow them (Art. 27). Where there are none, lane choice is guidance.
- Mini-roundabouts. Yield to traffic on the mini-roundabout, turn left, and never drive wholly or partly along or across the painted circle (S.I. 332/2012, Reg. 5).
The golden rule: which lane
On a roundabout with two lanes, the Rules of the Road uses a clock face. You arrive at 6 o’clock. Exits between 6 and 12 o’clock — turning left or going straight on — should generally be approached in the left-hand lane. Exits between 12 and 6 o’clock — turning right or going round — in the right-hand lane.
Lane and signal for every exit
Pick an exit and a roundabout size. The green line is your path; the yellow markers show exactly when to indicate.
Turning right — a later exit
- Approach. Get into the right-hand lane and indicate right as you approach.
- Yield. Give way to traffic from your right or already on the roundabout.
- On the roundabout. Keep to the right-hand lane, still indicating right.
- Exit. After passing the exit before yours, change to the left indicator, check your mirrors, move over to the left and exit.
Where lane arrows or spiral markings are painted on the roundabout, follow those instead.
Mini, multi-lane and other roundabouts
Mini-roundabouts
A painted white circle instead of an island, usually where approach speeds are 50 km/h or less. Yield to traffic on it, turn left and drive around the circle — never over it, whatever you’re driving.
Multi-lane and spiral roundabouts
Follow any lane arrows on the approach. On spiral roundabouts the lane lines curve outwards so each lane leads you off at a set exit — choose your lane before you enter and follow it round. Watch for vehicles leaving at the next exit and drivers straddling lanes.
Roundabouts with traffic lights
Some roundabouts are controlled by traffic lights. Where they are, obey the lights — breaking a red light is a €80 fixed charge with 3 penalty points. Lane guidance lines may be painted to lead you through.
Cycle-friendly roundabouts
In 2023 Fingal County Council opened what it described as Ireland’s first cycle-friendly roundabout, on the Church Fields Link Road in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15. It separates cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles, giving people walking and cycling their own space around the junction.
Myths vs the rules
Fines and penalty points
| Offence | Fixed charge pts | Fine (28 days) | Next 28 days | Court pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failing to turn left when entering a roundabout | 1 | €60 | €90 | 3 |
| Breaking the rules for a mini-roundabout | 1 | €60 | €90 | 3 |
| Failure to yield | 2 | €80 | €120 | 4 |
| Failing to yield at a yield sign or yield line | 3 | €80 | €120 | 5 |
| Breaking a red light | 3 | €80 | €120 | 5 |
| Junction rules (e.g. wrong lane when turning) | 1 | €60 | €90 | 3 |
| Ignoring road markings | 1 | €60 | €90 | 3 |
Which offence applies depends on what happened and how the Garda charge it. For every penalty point offence, see our penalty points guide.
Roundabouts on the driving test
The RSA’s own driving-test booklet lists three of the common reasons for failing as involving roundabouts: inadequate observation at roundabouts, incorrect road position at roundabouts, and inadequate progress at roundabouts. The Rules of the Road also asks learners to avoid undue hesitancy at roundabouts.
- Observation: check right early, then again before you go; mirrors and blind spot before moving left to exit.
- Position: the right lane for your exit, and stay in it — don’t drift across lanes on the roundabout.
- Progress: take a safe gap when it comes; don’t stop if the way is clear.
More on the test in our guide to the common reasons for failing.
In the RSA’s most recent junction breakdown (2018), there were 291 collisions at roundabouts in built-up areas — 16.9% of collisions at junctions there — and 35 outside built-up areas (6.0%).
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Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 — revised (Art. 15 roundabouts, Art. 8 lanes, Art. 21 yield, Art. 27 lane arrows)
- S.I. No. 332/2012, Regulation 5 — rules for use of a mini-roundabout
- RSA — Rules of the Road (roundabouts, pp. 135–138; cyclists p. 215)
- Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 7 (road markings: roundabout yield lines, spiral markings), October 2025
- Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 5 (regulatory signs: turn left, mini-roundabout), October 2025
- RSA — penalty point offences and fines
- RSA — Preparing for your driving test (June 2024), common reasons for failing
- RSA — Road Casualties and Collisions in Ireland 2018 (collisions at roundabouts, Table 15)
- Fingal County Council — Church Fields Link Road and Ireland’s first cycle-friendly roundabout