A driving instructor has shared his handy top tips for tackling roundabouts in the best way when learning to drive, or if you have anxiety when them on the roads
Mastering the art of driving is a vital life skill, but it’s far from simple with numerous elements to grasp, including the various rules that comes with driving through roundabouts. While experienced drivers might know how to do this without having to think twice, it can often feel daunting or nerve-wracking for new, unexperienced drivers. But there are ways to make it easier.
Adem Veli of Passman Driving is a London-based driving instructor with over 15 years of experience, having taught across popular areas in the capital. He also has a popular TikTok channel where he shares clips from his driving lessons for his 45,900 followers as he’s often seen discussing various motoring topics with his students.
In one video, Adem was teaching a woman named Mel, as he went on to ask her if there was anything she felt like she needed more practice on in her driving lessons.
“I’d say roundabouts,” Mel replied, explaining she didn’t yet feel confident driving through them.
When asked what specifically it was that Mel found unnerving about roundabouts, she explained trying to get out, as she often hesitates when driving, and feels bad when she misses a gap to get into the roundabout.
He then went on to share his top tip for any student drivers about easing their anxieties about driving through a roundabout.
“You don’t just want to just jump out to see, obviously,” the teacher said. “But sometimes, you might see another experienced driver just shoot out, like, don’t think you have to get out with them.”
Instead, you should make sure you get a gap that you are comfortable with driving into before following the correct lanes for the direction of your choosing.
As they then arrived at a roundabout, Mel slowed down and stopped before the roundabout to look out for any other cars coming, before driving through it to turn right onto the next road.
How to correctly drive through a roundabout:
According to the Highway Code, if you’re approaching a roundabout, you should try to take in all the information around you, such as traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the lane to take you to your chosen direction.
Make sure you known your lane as early as possible, and slowly and safely manoeuvre over to the right while also adjusting your speed and position to fit in with traffic conditions and other drivers around you.
When reaching the roundabout, you should give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights. You should also check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining.
If you’re taking the first left in a roundabout, use your left signal and approach the left hand lane. Keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise, start indicating right and approach the right hand lane. Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout. Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want to show other drivers you’re crossing the lane to exit the roundabout.
When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it. Sometimes, road signs will direct you to the right lane, but this is not always the case.
