What Roundabout Lane

[jopparocks]

Just retired last August and got pretty bored so decided to become a tour bus guide/driver and the company I have joined is putting me through getting my bus licence. Passed everything so far but sat my test last Friday and failed. One of the mistakes was wrong positioning on roundabout. I understand the left lane is for going left and going straight ahead, and the right lane is for going right. But what about roundabouts where there is a left exit at 9 o'clock but the next exit is at 1 or 2 o'clock and not strictly straight ahead.
Is this considered straight ahead and therefore I keep to the left lane or is considered turning right and so I should be in the right lane?
My judgement is that I should be in the left lane as its to all intents and purpose "straight" ahead.
Of course this is totally relevant to me as a motorhome driver as well.

 

[WESTY66]

Anything 1 o clock and over is right hand lane

 

[Figaro]

What westy says

 

[Oldrat]

Agreed. It aint straight ahead.

And to be pedantic.. the angle should be determined as if you were waiting at the give way line, not a distance back from the junction.

 

[Emmit]

We have a junction locally that is an A Road leaving a town.
The junction is exactly as you describe and, although I'm
not a Bus driver I would be indicating with signal, and also
by my positioning, I would be showing the World I was going
straight on albeit there is, in this case only one lane approaching
the roundabout.

If there were two lanes, I would be in the right hand one.s

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[David and Sally]

Agreed. Left lane could indicate an intention to go left rather than to 1 o’clock. I would indicate right, position right until after the left turn then indicate and position to turn off.
It is always a matter of judgement.

 

[poppycamper]

Agreed. It aint straight ahead.

And to be pedantic.. the angle should be determined as if you were waiting at the give way line, not a distance back from the junction.

Gosh.... that is padentic
But yes anything past 12o clock is righthand ..

 

[Oldrat]

Gosh.... that is padentic
But yes anything past 12o clock is righthand ..

Agreed very pedantic.
The road either side of the roundabout may appear straight, but often the feed in lanes can have significant curves, presumably to slow the joining traffic (??) so upon arrival the exit might appear at 2o/clock

Anyway its not my definition, and if nothing else is around I may well straighten it out if I can.

 

[BikerGraham]

I presume this is where there are no specific lane indicators signs or road markings ?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Talking roundabouts and coach driving.

When approaching a medium sized roundabout without lanes.
I was taught to drive in the middle of the approach road and dominate the roundabout to prevent other vehicles coming up the inside or outside of you

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[Pausim]

I thought it was 1st and 2nd exits from left hand lane. Road signs often misrepresent positions on the clock and on many modern roundabouts you can’t see the exit roads at the time you have to select a lane.

 

[dunnah01]

I use the logical lane but also sometimes use my indicator on the roundabout to make sure anybody waiting knows What I'm about to

 

[L' Hobo]

IMO, on a double lane large roundabout, keep in left lane for first exit, centre lane for exit 2&3.
But common sense depends on size of road, roundabout and size of vehicle.

 

[Janine]

The Highway Code isn’t very clear either -

Using the road - Roundabouts (184 to 190)

On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk

 

[St3v3]

To all those saying right lane.

What lane would you be in if you couldn't see the angle of the second exit? I.e. the roundabout is a big lump of grass.

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[Kannon Fodda]

On one largish roundabout near me, 5 roads entering, single and dual carriageways, no markings on roundabout itself. Single road widens to two lanes at entry, exit opposite only at 11oclock to dual carriageway. Markings on entry are for inside lane left 1sr exit, straight over (11 o'clock) and others use outside lane. Causes all sorts of delay from queues but some safety bod no doubt thinks its the correct decision.

Real point seems to be make your intentions clear at entry, stay in your lane, and watch for those who will cut you up.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I use the logical lane but also sometimes use my indicator on the roundabout to make sure anybody waiting knows What I'm about to

You don't drive a BMW

 

[Nanniemate]

Practical bus driver test - on the day

Get help on the practical test for bus drivers. Watch the DVSA video and see the structure of the test and what happens if you pass or fail.

www.safedrivingforlife.info

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I was taught you don't drive past exit lanes in the outer lane of a roundabout, but general driving standards have declined significantly in recent years. Additionally, I signal for each and every manoeuvre on roundabouts particularly, but that didn't help in Ruon when a 40t bulk liquid truck sqeezed me onto the armco. Fortunately I'd left just enough room to avoid major damage.
Mike.

 

[Dall]

To all those saying right lane.

What lane would you be in if you couldn't see the angle of the second exit? I.e. the roundabout is a big lump of grass.

I would read the roundabout sign on approach, which are pretty accurate at showing the the position of the exits. On very large roundabouts you are not going to see the exits before you enter the roundabout and the approach sign is an absolute to read and position from its information.

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[Emmit]

Talking roundabouts and coach driving.

When approaching a medium sized roundabout without lanes.
I was taught to drive in the middle of the approach road and dominate the roundabout to prevent other vehicles coming up the inside or outside of you

I was on a bus a few weeks ago travelling into Taunton from Wellington.
The driver was under instruction and the above is exactly what she was being taught.

 

[St3v3]

I would read the roundabout sign on approach,

They don't all have signs...

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[WESTY66]

They don't all have signs...

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

How will you know where you’re going then?
You could look at the angles on your satnav

 

[St3v3]

How will you know where you’re going then?

Following the road, the satnav, been there before (but didn't have a protractor with me.)

There is another one somewhere in Bristol that I've seen but can't remember where....

 

[Spriddler]

Additionally, I signal for each and every manoeuvre on roundabouts particularly, but that didn't help in Ruon when a 40t bulk liquid truck sqeezed me onto the armco. Fortunately I'd left just enough room to avoid major damage.

When on my motorbikes I despair at the various ways that some people take roundabouts. It's vital when about to leave them to look over the left shoulder (aka a 'Lifesaver Left') to avoid anyone trying to force their car inside me. It's such an ingrained habit that I do the same when on 4 wheels.

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[WESTY66]

Following the road, the satnav, been there before (but didn't have a protractor with me.)

There is another one somewhere in Bristol that I've seen but can't remember where....

Well you could stay neutral in the left lane then half a dozen locals up the side of you in the right lane will leave you out to dry, but I’ll say the majority are signed, and the roundabout you are quoting maybe, just maybe might be in the minority!

My driving instructer was ex police instructor and the 1 o’clock thing was something that always stuck with me
St3v3 wishing you safe travels always

 

[PaulW2]

To all those saying right lane.

What lane would you be in if you couldn't see the angle of the second exit? I.e. the roundabout is a big lump of grass.

How many exits are there? If only two, then clearly the right hand one.

If more, then you should be ok in the left hand lane. As you are taking the second exit obviously no-one will need to cut across you to get to their exit.

But if you are in a larger vehicle such as a lorry or coach I think you may need to straddle both lanes on approach to prevent people from sidling alongside and to mitigate sideswiping risk. Then indicate your intention before exiting.

 

[PaulW2]

When on my motorbikes I despair at the various ways that some people take roundabouts. It's vital when about to leave them to look over the left shoulder (aka a 'Lifesaver Left') to avoid anyone trying to force their car inside me. It's such an ingrained habit that I do the same when on 4 wheels.

Me too

 

[vkr15s]

I was taught left lane for first 2 exits but that was fifty years ago. These days it seems a case of who dares wins

 

[jopparocks]

To all those saying right lane.

What lane would you be in if you couldn't see the angle of the second exit? I.e. the roundabout is a big lump of grass.

It should be on the sign as you approach the roundabout

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