Most misunderstood road rule revealed: Mastering this can save you $227

Navigating the roads can be tricky, and even the most seasoned drivers among us can sometimes get tripped up by the rules.

However, one particular road rule is causing more confusion than most, and getting it wrong is costing Aussie drivers a pretty penny.


In New South Wales and across the country, a roundabout rule is frequently misunderstood, and failing to comply could hit your wallet hard with a $227 fine and add two demerit points to your driving record.

The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, part of the NSW Police Force, has taken to social media to remind drivers about the correct way to signal at roundabouts.


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NSW Police reminded drivers to signal when exiting a roundabout, even if going straight. Credit: Transport NSW Website


Drivers must indicate their exit from the roundabout with their left blinker, even if they're going straight through at a multi-lane roundabout.

As you approach your exit, you must flick on that left indicator to let other drivers know you're about to leave the roundabout.

If you're taking the roundabout all the way around to the right before exiting, you must indicate right while circulating and then switch to your left indicator as you prepare to exit.


This small action can prevent a big hit to your bank account and driving record.

Police have noted several myths about roundabouts that can lead to dangerous situations.

One such myth is the belief that drivers only need to give way to vehicles on their right.

This is incorrect and could lead to collisions.

‘The rules are clear: when entering a roundabout, drivers must slow or stop to give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout,’ the police explained.

‘The myth that drivers need only give way to vehicles on their right has long persisted and is completely wrong. Believing this can lead to collisions, insurance claims and action from police.’


This rule is consistent throughout Australia, but roundabouts remain a point of contention for many drivers.

Just last month, a Perth teacher sparked a debate over who has the right of way when entering a roundabout.

A spokesperson for Western Australia’s Road Safety Commission stated that most roundabouts have giveaway lines at each entry to remind drivers of their obligation to yield.

‘However, even without the lines, the rule will still apply,’

The revelation of this rule on social media has surprised many drivers, with some admitting they were unaware of the requirement to indicate when exiting a roundabout.


Others have criticised the rule, calling it confusing, particularly for elderly drivers who might mistakenly use their right indicator even when going straight.

Some argue that the ‘rule works only on the very large roundabouts’, as smaller ones need more time to signal while navigating the roundabout itself.

In other news, a woman in Lismore, NSW, received a $302 fine and two demerit points for driving over a small roundabout.

Unaware it was illegal, she now warned others about this little-known rule. You can read more about it here.
Key Takeaways
  • NSW Police have reminded drivers about the misunderstood road rule regarding indicating when exiting a roundabout, even when going straight.
  • Failure to comply with this rule could result in a $227 fine and two demerit points for NSW drivers, with similar penalties likely in other states.
  • The roundabout rule clarification explains that drivers must give way to any vehicle already on the roundabout, not just those to their right.
  • Many Aussie drivers expressed surprise or confusion at the rule, with some admitting they were unaware of the requirement to indicate on exit.
Have you ever been caught out by this roundabout rule, or do you have any tips for remembering to signal correctly? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.
 
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I don't live there now, but that's where I done most of my driving and learnt the road rules. Now I've been living here for a few years I've just carried on from there assuming they'd have the sense of having the same rules here?

The roundabout rules there are.....
  • give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.
I take the rule about giving way to vehicles already on the roundabout as being the same as above. If they're already on the roundabout then they must also be approaching from the right? So I give way anyway.
Exactly it's common sense ,but a lot of drivers push their luck by getting in front of vehicles all ready on the roundabout even the stupid small roundabouts . I've seen drivers go straight across
 
I'm sorry, I can't agree with the "rule " that says you must give way to cars already on the roundabout. I've taken this up with RAC but had nit no response. If we all followed this to the letter of the law, all traffic would simply stop. We have a large roundabout in Albany that has many cars in it at any given time...so...who's breaking the law?
Well you need to understand what Give Way means. It does not mean to stop for ALL vehicles on the roundabout. You Give Way (slow or Stop) meaning to not collide with another vehicle.

If you are to leave a side road to enter a highway, say a 100 zone, you are to Give Way to approaching vehicles, correct. So you see a truck 500 metres down the road, do you wait for them to go past or do you go, knowing that you can be on the highway and well out of the way of the truck before it gets to your point?

You have met your give way obligations, similar with roundabouts, if you can go while not impeding others you go, your obligation to give way has been met.

The actual definition of "give way" is:

"give way, for a driver or pedestrian, means—
(a) if the driver or pedestrian is stopped—remain stationary until it is safe to proceed, or
(b) in any other case—slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision
 
In NSW, when roundabouts became "pandemic", the law stated that the left indicator be used when exiting a roundabout. Some years later, that requirement was dropped.

So it has come back to bite everybody on the arse....covertly?

I don't give a hoot - haven't had a licence since 15 October 2015.
In NSW indicating left to exit a roundabout has been law for decades. Only the emphasis placed on it changes.
 
I don't live there now, but that's where I done most of my driving and learnt the road rules. Now I've been living here for a few years I've just carried on from there assuming they'd have the sense of having the same rules here?

The roundabout rules there are.....
  • give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.
I take the rule about giving way to vehicles already on the roundabout as being the same as above. If they're already on the roundabout then they must also be approaching from the right? So I give way anyway.
Not always on the right, hence the wording of the rule, which has been in place since roundabouts began in Australia in the 70's.

Scenario - you are approaching a roundabout, you are nearly at the give way line and there is another vehicle at the next entrance point on the LEFT that enters before you (say a slow moving truck or caravan), so now that other vehicle is IN the roundabout already isn't it, so you give way to them. That's why everyone should slow down far more, to allow ones at the next entry point to enter and the other driver doesn't wave their arms, blast their horn and get emotion because someone supposedly pulled out in front.

This is why the rule is Give Way to vehicles already in the roundabout.
 
Forget the indicator bit, I totally get that and do that but weren't roundabouts introduced to replace certain intersections, instead of stopping at the intersection to give way and traffic bank up and accidents possibly happen, a roundabout was introduced to give way and keep the traffic flowing and stop, if necessary? Now, we are told to stop and give way, if vehicles are on the roundabout....you could be sitting there all day, waiting for the roundabout to be clear, especially if it is a big one and there are vehicles way over the other side on it AND risk road rage with people beeping you to move or WORSE get rear ended!!! Maybe roundabouts should be done a way with and re-introduce dangerous intersections. It just doesn't make sense to me and roundabouts have give way signs on them, not give way and stop signs!!
I think roundabouts are common sense but now I'm not so sure, as the way I use them, including with indicators, which is how I've always used them since they were introduced, could now get me a fine!!
Sorry, who said you have to Stop? They are Give Way signs, you give way by slowing down and IF REQUIRED stop.

If a vehicle enters opposite you, particularly larger roundabouts, you go, you don't have to "give way" to them as you will not impede their progress.
 
Seems pointless to me when only one vehicle is allowed on the roundabout at a time. A revenue raising tactic is the only explanation I can find.
 
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Seems pointless to me when only one vehicle is allowed on the roundabout at a time. A revenue raising tactic is the only explanation I can find.
Where do you get the idea that only one vehicle can be on at a time? Rubbish.
 
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In the UK, the Highway Code, which applies to ALL of the population, requires drivers to signal right if they are not exiting at the first junction. Aussie rozzers don't like this and it seems another example of people with Dutton's mentality to flex their muscles.

Indicating right relieves other motorists of that unnecessary guessing game, thereby contributing something positive to the bizarre world of Australian concepts of road safety.
Seems you were taught wrong, understood wrong or some other problem. UK rules for indicating are identical to here, right turns indicate right on approach and left when exiting, left turns indicate left on approach and straight ahead no indicator on approach and a left indicator to exit. Here's Highway Code 186:1724826035532.png
 
If it's a small roundabout indicating left could confuse drivers on your left if your going straight through. I've been behind police cars that haven't indicated
 
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Seems you were taught wrong, understood wrong or some other problem. UK rules for indicating are identical to here, right turns indicate right on approach and left when exiting, left turns indicate left on approach and straight ahead no indicator on approach and a left indicator to exit. Here's Highway Code 186:View attachment 57340
Which is what I wrote. English comprehension is not your strong point and you have an urge to just twat people for no reason.
 
I find this article amusing I have video footage from a few years ago of a Police car, NO Sirens or Lights exiting a roundabout with NO Indicators. I posted it on You tube shortly after the incident and I have never had one message from the police regarding my post or the consequences for the police officer driving the police vehicle. I stated the time and location (GPS coordinates and time stamps are attached as meta data) with the video. Rules and fines for one it seems and not the other.
 
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I am quite aware of the left signalling rule to leave the roundabout and indicate every time. I love it when other drivers signal their intentions as it makes navigating roundabouts much safer to use. It doesn't matter the size of the roundabout but, indicating on dual lanes can be a bit daunting as I'm aware that I share the road with drivers who don't always know the roundabout rules or just don't bother to indicate their intention and they are scary.
 
I find this article amusing I have video footage from a few years ago of a Police car, NO Sirens or Lights exiting a roundabout with NO Indicators. I posted it on You tube shortly after the incident and I have never had one message from the police regarding my post or the consequences for the police officer driving the police vehicle. I stated the time and location (GPS coordinates and time stamps are attached as meta data) with the video. Rules and fines for one it seems and not the other.
Do you find yourself frequently tailed?
 
This is the stupidest rule ever! Confusion runs amok at roundabouts indicating left means just that turning left! If you want to go through the roundabout why on earth would you use a left indicator to go straight ahead?? Whoever thought up this gem needs their head read!!!
 

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