Roundabouts confuse more WA learners than any other road feature. In fact, even experienced drivers argue about them. Recently, Transport WA posted a quiz on Facebook that proved exactly that. The question looked simple. However, the answer surprised thousands of drivers.
At Drive Solo Driving School, we teach roundabout judgement every single day. Therefore, we’ve broken down this scenario for you — and explained what it means for your WA Practical Driving Assessment.
The Scenario: Turning Right from a Single-Lane Road
Picture this. A blue car approaches a roundabout on a single-lane road. The driver wants to turn right. Meanwhile, the exit road has two lanes. There are no arrows painted on the approach. So which lane can the car turn into?
Most drivers answer “the right lane only”. After all, that’s the rule they remember for multi-lane roundabouts. Surprisingly, that answer is wrong here.
The Answer: Either Lane
The blue car can turn into either lane. According to Transport WA, the driver may enter either lane because there are no gore markings, marked lines or arrows to indicate a particular path.
In other words, road markings decide the rule. When the approach has no arrows and the roundabout has no lane lines, the driver chooses the most convenient exit lane. However, the moment arrows or lane lines appear, you must follow them.
Why Does This Rule Exist?
Lane rules at roundabouts come from the markings, not from memory. A single-lane approach gives you one legal starting position. As a result, no marked path exists through the roundabout. Without a marked path, either exit lane is legal — as long as you signal correctly and exit safely.
The Roundabout Rules Every WA Learner Must Know
Beyond this quiz, these are the roundabout basics assessors expect on your driving test:
- Signal on approach. Indicate right when turning right, and left when turning left.
- Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. This applies to traffic approaching from your right and any vehicle already circulating.
- Follow painted arrows. If your lane has an arrow, you must travel in that direction.
- Signal left before you exit. Where practical, indicate left as you pass the exit before yours.
- Never change lanes inside a roundabout across an unbroken line.
For the complete rules, read the official Drive Safe Handbook from Transport WA.
How Roundabouts Affect Your Driving Test in Perth
Roundabouts appear in almost every PDA test route in Perth. Furthermore, they cause many first-attempt failures. Assessors watch for three things: correct signalling, safe gap selection and proper lane discipline.
Southern suburbs like Success, Canning Vale and Wandi are full of multi-lane roundabouts. Consequently, learners who train on these exact roundabouts walk into their test with a real advantage. That’s precisely how we prepare our students.
Common Roundabout Mistakes on the PDA
- Hesitating when a safe gap is available
- Forgetting the left indicator on exit
- Cutting across lanes marked with arrows
- Stopping unnecessarily at a clear roundabout
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always have to exit in the right lane when turning right?
No. If there are no arrows or lane markings, you can legally enter either exit lane. However, if markings exist, you must follow them.
Do I need to signal when going straight through a roundabout?
Not on approach. Instead, signal left as you pass the exit before yours, where practical.
Will I fail my PDA for choosing the “wrong” lane?
You won’t fail for a legal lane choice. On the other hand, ignoring painted arrows or changing lanes unsafely can end your test immediately.
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.
