Who has the right of way on a roundabout?

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Roundabout Rules in Ireland

Published 22nd September 2021Read Time 8 min

Which lane, which indicator – discover how to use everything from mini-roundabouts to large interchanges, whether you are learning to drive or driving in Ireland for the first time.

Why do we use roundabouts in Ireland?

Walkinstown, Dunkettle, Polestar, Bundle of Sticks, Browne… The roundabout is a common feature on Irish roads, and sometimes it feels like every driver has a pet roundabout that they just hate. Roundabouts, or “gyratory circuses” as they were once known (yes, really), are generally installed to make a junction safer and keep traffic flowing. They do, however, require extra care and attention on approach.

Thankfully, in Ireland, we don’t have anything as complicated as England’s “Magic Roundabout” in Swindon (five mini-roundabouts forming one giant two-way ring) or France’s Rond-Point de L’Étoile (the infamous roundabout around the L’Arc de Triomphe with anything up to 12 unmarked lanes) but we do have a variety of mini-roundabouts, lane configurations and large interchanges.

The most important rules for any roundabout, whether it has one lane or six, are yield and indicate.

Who has right of way on a roundabout in Ireland?

When approaching a roundabout, you always yield to traffic already on the roundabout and traffic coming from your right. Don’t enter the roundabout until it’s clear from your right – this may mean waiting until someone is exiting onto the road you’re waiting to enter from. All roundabouts are one way (clockwise, if you imagine your entry point as 6 o’clock), so you drive towards the left as you enter. Driving the wrong way as you enter a roundabout and ignoring a mini-roundabout are both penalty-point offences in Ireland – both can result in 1 penalty point and a €60 fine.

Keep an eye out for pedestrians crossing the road as you’re waiting. If there are traffic lights on the roundabout, always follow those and make sure it’s safe to go when you get the green.

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How many roundabouts are there in Ireland?

It looks like the National Roads Authority dropped the ball with that one, and it has never been recorded, but it does seem like an excess. The reason they are so many is how effective they are as a traffic calming measure; they are also one of the cost-effective measures. I think when it comes to our roundabouts, we will just have to accept them.

Which indicator should I use on a roundabout?

Your left indicator should be on if you take the first exit off any roundabout.

If you’re going straight ahead, or taking any exit that’s to the left but after the first one, then do not indicate at all on approach. Turn on your left indicator after you pass the exit before yours.

If you’re taking any exit at all to the right, or coming off at the same road you entered from (essentially doing a U-turn), turn on your right indicator on approach to the roundabout. Then switch to the left indicator once you pass the exit before yours. If you’re taking any exit to the right, or coming off at the same road you entered from (essentially doing a U-turn), turn on your right indicator on approach to the roundabout. Then switch to the left indicator once you pass the exit before yours.

In all cases, turning on your left indicator tells other drivers that you are taking the next exit. Remember, though, that indicating doesn’t automatically grant you right of way – be careful when changing lanes and watch out for pedestrians crossing the road you’re about to exit onto.

What speed should you approach a roundabout?

For single-lane roundabouts, you should also follow the speed limit on local signage. For roundabouts with more than two lanes, you will need to follow the speed limit on local signage as well though you adjust your speed depending on what lane you are in. Roundabouts with more than one lane tend to have higher speed limits.

What if you miss your exit on a roundabout?

If you miss your exit or find yourself in the wrong lane at the last minute, then continue around. Never attempt to turn back or reverse on a roundabout. Continue around a second time with your right indicator on, and then switch to left when your exit is next. Always watch out for others and don’t change lanes without all the usual checks.

This is part of a series on driving advice – for our motorway FAQs see here.