Roundabout rules in Queensland: lanes, indicators and giving way

Who gives way at a roundabout in Queensland?

The driver entering does. You slow down, or stop if needed, and let through any vehicle that is already on the roundabout, whether it's to your right, in front of you or to your left.^[1] The Queensland Government singles out one myth: many drivers think a vehicle approaching from the right always goes first, and that isn't the rule.^[1]

In practice, look right as you approach because that's where circulating traffic comes from, but also check the car already across from you that may be heading your way. Once you're on, you have the right of way over drivers still waiting to enter, so keep a steady speed rather than braking mid-circle.

Which lane should you use on a two-lane roundabout?

A handy way to think about it is a clock face with your approach at 6 o'clock. Exits before 12 o'clock are left turns, exits after 12 are right turns, and 12 o'clock (halfway round) is straight ahead.^[1] Then, unless arrows on the road or signs say otherwise:^[1]

Never turn right from the left lane unless road arrows show you can.^[1] If you need to change lanes on the roundabout itself, signal, give way to anyone already in that lane, and only move across when it's safe.^[1] Arrows painted on the approach override the table above, so read the road surface as you come in, not just the signs.

When do you indicate at a roundabout?

Indicating tells the drivers waiting to enter that you're about to leave, which is what lets them go. The rules are:

• Turning left: indicate left as you approach and enter, keep it on as you exit, then cancel it.^[1]
• Turning right or making a U-turn: indicate right as you approach and enter. Before your exit, switch to the left indicator.^[1]
• Going straight ahead: no signal is needed on approach. Indicate left before you exit, and cancel it once you're out.^[1]

The commonest mistake is forgetting the left signal on the way out when going straight or turning right. Drivers waiting at your exit can't tell you're leaving, so they hold back, or worse, assume you're carrying on round.

How do spiral roundabouts work?

Some Queensland roundabouts have spiral line markings that steer each lane towards a particular exit, often a single-lane one.^[1] The rules on those are:

• For the first exit, enter from the left lane and stay in it.^[1]
• To go more than halfway round, enter from the right lane; the spiral lets you move into the right-hand lane that leads to your exit.^[1]
• Don't enter from the left lane if you're going past the first exit, unless arrows tell you that you can.^[1]

The practical effect is that the left lane on a spiral roundabout can carry you off at the first exit whether you meant to or not. If you find yourself in the wrong lane, take the exit the lines lead to and turn around somewhere safe; cutting across the spiral is how collisions happen.

Cyclists, trucks and pedestrians at roundabouts

Cyclists have their own lane rule. On a multi-lane roundabout a bike rider may turn right from either the left or the right lane; a rider who turns right from the left lane must give way to any vehicle leaving the roundabout. On a single-lane roundabout, a rider can take up the whole lane.^[2] As a driver, expect a bike in the left lane that keeps going past your exit, and give way to a cyclist already on the roundabout and to one ahead of you as you leave.^[2] More on sharing the road is in driving around cyclists, e-scooters and pedestrians.

Long trucks may legally use more than one lane. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator explains that vehicles over 7.5 metres long with a "do not overtake turning vehicle" sign on the back can take up more than one lane to turn at corners, intersections and roundabouts. Its advice: hang back, don't drive into the space beside a turning truck, and wait until it has finished the turn, because once it starts turning its mirrors no longer show the road behind.^[5]

Pedestrians: when you turn at an intersection, you must give way to pedestrians crossing the road you're entering.^[3] At a roundabout, look for people crossing at the exit you're taking, especially in suburban shopping strips.

What are the fines for roundabout mistakes?

The Queensland demerit points schedule lists a group of roundabout offences. Fines rose 3.5% on 1 July 2026; at the time of writing (November 2026):^[4]

Two points may not sound like much, but they add up quickly for anyone on a learner or provisional licence. In a rental car, the rules on fines are in clause 10 of our rental terms.

Roundabouts are busiest in the morning and afternoon peaks, when waiting for a gap takes patience; Brisbane's worst times to drive explains when those are. Bus and transit lanes that run up to a roundabout have their own rules, covered in T2, T3 and bus lanes in Brisbane.