Roundabouts and turning theory test practice
Free, no accountBased on the Rules of the Road
What you need to know
Roundabouts are the topic where Irish learners lose the most easy marks. The basic rule is simple: treat the roundabout as a junction and yield to traffic coming from your right, or already on the roundabout. You do not have to stop if the way is clear. Slow down on the approach, look right, and keep moving when there is a safe gap.
Choosing the right lane uses the clock idea from the Rules of the Road. Picture the roundabout as a clock face with you at six o'clock. Exits between six and twelve o'clock, such as turning left or going straight on, are normally taken from the left-hand lane. Exits past twelve o'clock, such as turning right, are normally taken from the right-hand lane. Lane arrows and road markings always win over this general rule.
Signals tell others what you plan to do. Signal left for a left exit. For straight on, stay in the left lane and signal left only after passing the exit before yours. For a later exit, signal right on approach, then switch to left once you pass the exit before yours. Watch for cyclists and horse riders who may stay left and signal right because they are going round.
On ordinary roads, turning right means giving way to oncoming traffic going straight on, and watching for pedestrians crossing the road you are entering. U-turns are only allowed where it is completely safe and no sign or marking, such as a continuous centre line, forbids them. Mini-roundabouts follow the same yield rule and appear in many towns as a traffic calming feature.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts · Vulnerable road users · Traffic calming · Pedestrians · Road markings · Overtaking and U-turns
20 practice questions
Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
You are approaching a roundabout. Who must you yield to?
Mark one answer · keys A to D
All the questions with answers
1. You are approaching a roundabout. Who must you yield to?
Answer: Traffic from your right and traffic already on it
Treat a roundabout like a junction: yield to traffic coming from your right or already on the roundabout.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
2. You reach a roundabout and the way is clear. What should you do?
Answer: Keep moving without stopping
You must yield when needed, but if the way is clear you keep moving. You don't have to stop.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
3. You want to take the first exit on your left at a roundabout. How should you approach?
Answer: In the left-hand lane, signalling left from the approach
For a left turn, approach in the left lane, signal left as you approach and keep signalling until you have left.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
4. You plan to go straight ahead at a roundabout with no lane markings. Which lane should you normally use?
Answer: The left-hand lane
Exits between the six and twelve o'clock positions, including straight ahead, are normally taken from the left-hand lane.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
5. You are going straight on at a roundabout. When do you signal left?
Answer: Only after you pass the exit before yours
Going straight on, stay left and signal left only after passing the exit before yours, so others know you are leaving.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
6. You want to take an exit past the twelve o'clock position, such as turning right. What is the usual approach?
Answer: Right-hand lane, signal right
For later exits, approach in the right-hand lane unless markings say otherwise, and signal right on approach.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
7. You are taking a later exit and signalling right on a roundabout. What should you do after passing the exit before yours?
Answer: Switch to a left signal and move left
Once past the exit before yours, change to a left signal, move towards the left and keep signalling left to leave.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
8. A roundabout has road arrows showing a different lane from the one the clock rule suggests. What should you follow?
Answer: The arrows and markings
The clock rule is a general guide. If markings or signs show which lane to use, follow them.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
9. On a roundabout you see a cyclist in the left lane signalling right. What are they most likely doing?
Answer: Continuing round the roundabout
Cyclists and horse riders often stay in the left lane and signal right when they intend to go round. Give them room.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts · Vulnerable road users
10. You are leaving a roundabout. What extra check is important at each exit?
Answer: Look for cyclists and motorcyclists still going round
Take extra care at all exits for cyclists and motorcyclists who may be continuing on the roundabout.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
11. A long articulated lorry is ahead of you on a roundabout and is taking a wide course. What should you do?
Answer: Watch its signals and give it room
Long vehicles may need a different course because of their length. Watch their signals and give plenty of room.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
12. You are on a small mini-roundabout in a town. Which rule applies?
Answer: The same yield rules apply as other roundabouts
Mini-roundabouts follow the same rules: yield to traffic from the right. Breaking them is a fixed-charge offence.
Rules of the Road: Traffic calming · Junctions and roundabouts
13. Why are mini-roundabouts often built in towns and villages?
Answer: To slow traffic and manage junctions
Mini-roundabouts are traffic calming features that slow the pace of traffic and manage how it flows at junctions.
Rules of the Road: Traffic calming
14. You are turning right at a junction and a car is coming towards you going straight on. What must you do?
Answer: Yield to the oncoming car
A driver turning right gives way to oncoming traffic going straight on. A signal never gives you right of way.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts
15. You are turning left into a side road and a pedestrian is already crossing it. What should you do?
Answer: Wait and let the pedestrian cross
Yield to pedestrians already crossing at a junction. Don't delay or prevent them from crossing safely.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts · Pedestrians
16. You are about to turn left and a cyclist is ahead on your left, going the same way. What is the safest action?
Answer: Wait behind the cyclist until you have turned
Do not overtake a cyclist just before a junction if you are turning left. Stay behind until you have made your turn.
Rules of the Road: Vulnerable road users
17. You are waiting to turn right in a yellow box junction and oncoming traffic is heavy. What may you do?
Answer: Enter the box and wait for a gap, without blocking others
You may enter a yellow box when turning right and waiting for a gap, as long as you don't block traffic that has right of way.
Rules of the Road: Junctions and roundabouts · Road markings
18. You want to make a U-turn. Which of these means you must not do it?
Answer: A continuous white centre line
You must not U-turn where a sign or marking, such as a continuous centre line, prohibits it.
Rules of the Road: Overtaking and U-turns
19. Before making a U-turn on a two-way road, what should you do?
Answer: Find a safe place with a clear view in all directions
Choose a safe spot where you can see clearly in all directions, give way to everyone, and check for cyclists and motorcyclists.
Rules of the Road: Overtaking and U-turns
20. On some roads with a safety barrier in the middle, you can't turn right. How may you turn around?
Answer: Turn left into a minor road and U-turn where provided
On 2-plus-1 roads, drivers who need to turn around may first turn left onto a minor road and U-turn in the area provided.
Rules of the Road: Road markings · Overtaking and U-turns
Questions people ask
- Who has right of way at a roundabout in Ireland?
- Traffic already on the roundabout, and traffic coming from your right, has priority. You yield to it, but you do not have to stop if the way is clear.
- Which lane should I use on a roundabout in Ireland?
- For exits from six to twelve o'clock (left turns and straight on) use the left lane. For exits past twelve o'clock (right turns) use the right lane. Follow lane arrows or markings if they say something different.
- When do I signal left on a roundabout when going straight on?
- Stay in the left lane and signal left only after you have passed the exit before the one you want. That tells traffic waiting to enter that you are leaving.
- Are U-turns legal in Ireland?
- Yes, but only where it is completely safe and no sign or road marking, such as a continuous white centre line, prohibits it. You must give way to all other road users, and you can't U-turn on a one-way road.
Other theory test topics
- Learner permits and licences
- Penalty points and offences
- Alcohol, drugs, phones and fatigue
- Vehicle safety and passengers
- Speed limits and stopping distances
- Junctions and right of way
- Road signs and markings
- Motorways, overtaking and lanes
- Pedestrians, cyclists and other road users
- Parking and stopping
- Hazards, emergencies and breakdowns
Rules summarised from the Rules of the Road (© Road Safety Authority). Questions written by PassRank. These are not the official Driver Theory Test questions.