Roundabouts

A roundabout is a type of circular intersection. It has one or more lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction around a central traffic island. It might or might not have a roundabout sign at the entrance.

At a roundabout, you must: 

• keep to the left of the central traffic island
• drive in the direction of any signs and arrows on the road before or in the roundabout

Giving way at roundabouts

Before entering a roundabout, you must give way to:

• any vehicle already in the roundabout
• any tram entering or approaching the roundabout. 

Giving way means you must slow down or stop to avoid a crash.

At roundabouts, give pedestrians the time and space they need to cross. You don’t need to give way to pedestrians at roundabouts unless there is a pedestrian crossing there.

Turning left at roundabouts

If you want to turn left at a roundabout, you must: 

• indicate that you want to turn left as you approach the roundabout
• keep indicating until you have left the roundabout. 

For multi-lane roundabouts, you must approach from the left lane and stay in that lane.

Turning right at roundabouts

If you want to turn right at a roundabout, you must: 

• indicate you want to turn right as you approach the roundabout 
• if possible, indicate left just before the exiting the roundabout
• keep indicating until you have left the roundabout.

For multi-lane roundabouts, you must approach from the right lane and stay in that lane.

Going straight at roundabouts

If you want to continue straight at a roundabout: 

• stay in the same lane when driving through the roundabout 
• do not indicate as you approach the roundabout, but if possible, signal left as you exit.

You can approach from any lane in a multi-lane roundabout, unless the lane is for left or right turns only.

Riding around a roundabout 

If you’re riding a bicycle, electric scooter or an animal (e.g. a horse) in a multi-lane roundabout, you can stay in the left lane until you exit the roundabout, even if you’re going straight or turning right. 

You must give way to any other vehicle exiting the roundabout.

Roundabouts with bike lanes

If there’s a bike lane on a roundabout, you must use it unless it’s not practical.

Learn more about the road rules for bicycles in Victoria Legal Aid’s Bike Law booklet.

Rules for roundabouts 

The rules for roundabouts are published in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017.

• Part 9 – Roundabouts (Rule 109-119)