Roundabouts trip up more new drivers in London than almost anything else, and it’s not really about the circle itself — it’s lane choice. Get that right before you enter and the rest is straightforward.
Before you enter: look for lane markings or signs before the roundabout telling you which lane to use for your exit. Right lane generally serves right turns and straight-through traffic; left lane generally serves left turns and U-turns, though this varies by roundabout — check the signage every time rather than assuming.
Yielding: traffic already circulating always has the right-of-way. Slow down on approach, and don’t enter until there’s a safe gap — don’t force your way in expecting others to brake.
Signaling: signal right just before your exit, even though you didn’t necessarily signal on entry (you only signal entry if you’re changing lanes within the roundabout, which beginners should avoid).
London’s bigger ones: the multi-lane roundabout at Oxford Street and Wonderland Road is one of the busiest in the city and a common source of new-driver anxiety — see our Oxford Street corridor neighbourhood page for more on that specific intersection. We recommend practicing on a smaller, single-lane roundabout first, like the ones in Byron, before tackling the bigger multi-lane ones.
Want structured practice on exactly this? Book a lesson and we’ll build roundabout practice into your route.