Give way right
Give way to traffic already on the roundabout and traffic approaching from your right.
Road rule guide
New Zealand roundabout rules for visitors
Roundabouts are common in New Zealand towns and suburbs. The important pattern is simple: slow early, give way right, follow clockwise, and signal left before leaving.
Practise in the quiz
Signal correctly
Signal right when going more than halfway around, then signal left before your exit.
Stay in lane
Do not cut across the roundabout. Follow the lane around the centre island.
Quick rules
- Slow down and choose your lane before the give-way line.
- Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout and vehicles approaching from your right.
- For a first exit, signal left on approach. For straight ahead, do not signal on approach; signal left before leaving.
- For an exit more than halfway around, signal right on approach, then signal left before leaving.
Common visitor mistakes
- Entering while checking left instead of looking right for traffic with priority.
- Cutting across the centre of the roundabout instead of following the lane.
- Keeping a right signal on when leaving, which confuses drivers waiting to enter.
Practical driving example
You are going straight ahead at a four-way roundabout. Approach in the left lane, give way to traffic from the right, enter without an approach signal, then signal left after passing the exit immediately before yours.
Related interactive practice
Use the roundabout scenarios to rehearse approach signals, clockwise lane position and safe exits.
Practise roundaboutsOfficial source
Check the New Zealand Road Code for current give-way and signalling requirements.
New Zealand Road Code: roundaboutsRoundabout FAQ
Who has priority?
Vehicles already in the roundabout and vehicles approaching from your right have priority.
Do I signal when going straight?
Do not signal on approach. Signal left after passing the exit immediately before the exit you will take.
Which way do I travel?
Travel clockwise and keep to the left of the centre island.