Roundabouts kinda mess with more WA learners than any other bit of road design . Like seriously, even some experienced drivers can’t agree 100% on them. Recently, Transport WA put up a Facebook quiz and it basically proved that point. The question looked straight forward. Then the result surprised thousands of drivers, in a way you wouldn’t expect.
At Drive Solo Driving School, we run roundabout judgement practice day after day. So, we pulled apart this situation for you, sort of step by step , and we tied it back to what it means for your WA Practical Driving Assessment.
The Scenario: Turning Right from a Single-Lane Road
Imagine this. A blue car arrives at a roundabout on a single-lane road. The driver wants to turn right. At the same time the exit road has two lanes waiting. On the approach there are no painted arrows. So the big question is, which lane can the car move into?
Most people say “the right lane only”. That seems logical, because that’s the memory rule most drivers keep for multi-lane roundabouts. But here’s the thing: that answer is wrong.
The Answer: Either Lane
The blue car can turn into either lane. Transport WA states the driver may enter either lane since there are no gore markings , no marked lines, and no arrows showing a specific path.
Basically, the road markings make the decision, not your habits. When the entry has no arrows, and the roundabout doesn’t show lane lines, you pick the most reasonable exit lane. But the moment arrows or lane lines show up, you have to follow them, no negotiation.
Why Does This Rule Exist?
The whole idea is that roundabout lane behaviour comes from what’s marked, not from what you think you remember. A single-lane approach gives you only one legal place to start. That means there is no defined, signed “route” through the roundabout. Without that marked path, both exit lanes can be used, as long as you signal properly and leave the roundabout safely.
The Roundabout Rules Every WA Learner Must Know
Beyond that quiz, these are the roundabout basics assessors expect on
Master Roundabouts with Drive Solo
Rules make sense on paper. Nevertheless, real confidence comes from practice on real roundabouts with an instructor beside you. Our local instructors train you on the exact roundabouts used in Perth’s southern test routes.
Ready to turn knowledge into a pass? Book a lesson today, or explore our driving lesson packages. Call us on 0434 904 360.
Source: Transport WA — Facebook road rules quiz. Always refer to the current Drive Safe Handbook for official road rules.
