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DRIVING TUITION 
  
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Renault Clio 1.5dci Dynamique
 

 iEmel from Creswell - another first time pass.

Janine Old

 

Amy Nelson

 

Amy Brown

 

Angela McGlone

 

Will Garnett

 

Fiona Robson

 

Jessica Norris

 

Andrew Buglass

 

Linzi Wendt

 

Rachel Stoddart

Basic roundabouts  
The main rule to follow at roundabouts is to give way to traffic from the right, unless otherwise directed by signs, road markings or traffic lights.They are designed to keep traffic flowing if possible, so Plan to Go, but Prepare to Stop.
It is very dangerous to stop at a roundabout for no reason – you could have a rear-end collision. 
Roundabouts range from the simplest to the most complex, from very small to very large.Mini roundabouts usually look like T junctions in their shape and usually have only three exits, whereas the larger ones can have many exits and lanes in the way they are constructed.
Making U turns around a mini-roundabout should be avoided and you must drive around the centre white circle when using them.Road markings at roundabouts differ from the Give Way or Stop markings at a normal junction. 

Check The Highway Code for the different types of markings for different types of junctions. 

Gyratory Roundabouts

Busy Roundabouts

Unusual Roundabouts

Lane Markings on approach to Roundabouts

Approaching the roundabout
Look for, and act on any road signs in good time.
Most of the hard work on roundabouts is performed well before the actual junction. This is accomplished by good planning, good observations and hazard awareness.
Constantly scanning the road ahead is crucial as the sooner you see a roundabout coming up, the sooner you can start using the MSPSL routine, and the smoother your actions will be.
 
Mirrors
Signal
Position
Speed
Look 

The way the MSPSL routine is used will depend on which exit you are planning on taking. 

Planning your approach
On approaching a roundabout start using the MSPSL routine as soon as you see any road sign.
Look well ahead taking note of the volume of traffic, speed and position of vehicles on, or approaching the roundabout.
Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots for other vehicles’ speed and position, and look out for signals if any are given. If the road ahead is clear try to adjust your arrival speed at the roundabout to coincide with a suitable gap for you to drive into, and follow through into the available space.
Make sure you do not affect or make any other road user alter their speed or direction as a result or your actions. Remember SSSS. 
For most roundabouts, try to arrive in 2nd gear with speed of 15 to 20 mph. Of course, this will vary with the size, shape and exit position on the roundabout.
If you’re access is not clear or you have to slow down due to congestion, be prepared to stop on the Give Way line and wait for a clear and safe space.
Once you have seen a suitable space, prepare the car to move into the gap and follow on behind the last vehicle.
Make sure you do not make any other road user alter their speed or direction as a result or your actions. Remember SSSS. 

Turning left (first exit)
Mirrors
On your approach to the roundabout check your interior and left door mirrors. 

Signal
If it is safe give a left signal in good time. 

Position
Approach in the left hand lane, maintain your normal driving position, steering left, tracking the kerb as you approach the Give Way line.(The same as for emerging left at a junction). 

Speed
Reduce your speed using the brakes, then select the appropriate gear – usually 2nd, but sometimes 3rd for a shallow corner, or 1st if you have to stop. 

Look
Look to your right for traffic you have to give way to, and ahead to see if you have any Helpers.
Plan to Go, but Prepare to Stop.Remember SSSS.
When it is safe, enter the roundabout keeping close to the left, look ahead to your exit. If your exit road has two lanes keep in the left lane.
Use your interior and right door mirrors to see if any other vehicle is trying to leave the roundabout at the same time. Look for any deviation or road narrowing markings.
Check centre mirror on exiting the roundabout and take note of any vehicles that have followed you into the new road.
Cancel your signal.  

Going ahead (second exit)
Mirrors
On your approach to the roundabout check your interior and left door mirrors. 

Signal
Do not signal on approach. 

Position
Unless road markings tell you otherwise, approach in the left hand lane, maintain your normal driving position, steering left, tracking the kerb as you approach the Give Way line.
(The same as for emerging left at a junction). 

Speed
Reduce your speed using the brakes, then select the appropriate gear – usually 2nd, but sometimes 3rd for a larger roundabout, or 1st if you have to stop. 

Look
Look to your right for traffic you have to give way to, and ahead to see if you have any Helpers.
Plan to Go, but Prepare to Stop.Remember SSSS.
When it is safe, enter the roundabout keeping close to the left, look ahead to your exit.
If your exit road has two lanes keep in the left lane. Use your interior and right door mirrors to see if any other vehicle is trying to leave the roundabout at the same time.
Look for any deviation or road narrowing markings, and keep your lane discipline.
Check your left door mirror and signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you want to take, so that other road users know you are leaving the roundabout.
Pay particular attention to vehicles entering the roundabout from the road to your immediate left. You may have to increase your speed to protect your position to leave.
Check the interior mirror on exiting the roundabout and take note of any vehicles that have followed you into the new road.
Cancel your signal. 

Going right or making a U turn (any exit “after 12 o’ clock”)
Mirrors
On your approach to the roundabout check your interior and right door mirrors. 

Signal
If it is safe, give a right signal in good time. 

Position
Approach in the right hand lane, or as near to the centre line as you can if there is only one lane, keeping your wheels straight as you approach the Give Way line.
(The same as for emerging right at a junction). 

Speed
Reduce your speed using the brakes, then select the appropriate gear – usually 2nd, but sometimes 3rd for a larger roundabout, or 1st if you have to stop. 

Look
Look to your right for traffic you have to give way to, and ahead to see if you have any Helpers.
Plan to Go, but Prepare to Stop.
Remember SSSS.
When it is safe, enter the roundabout keeping to the right, looking for your exit. If your exit road has two lanes leave in the left lane. Use your interior and left door mirrors to see if any other vehicle is trying to leave the roundabout at the same time.
Look for any deviation or road narrowing markings, and keep your lane discipline.
Check your left door mirror and signal left just after you pass the exit before the one you want to take, so that other road users know you are leaving the roundabout.
Move across to the left to exit the roundabout if it is safe. Pay particular attention to vehicles entering the roundabout from the road to your immediate left.
You may have to increase your speed to protect your position to leave.
Check the interior mirror on exiting the roundabout and take note of any vehicles that have followed you into the new road.
Cancel your signal.  

The Danger Zone and Helpers
Before you commit to the junction pay careful attention to any moving traffic approaching from the road immediately to your right as these vehicles may be approaching at high speed and could be in front of you very quickly.
Look for a window of opportunity when traffic is exiting the roundabout immediately to your right – Helpers.
Traffic approaching on the road to your right must give way to the traffic already on the roundabout which gives a small but available window from which you can emerge onto the roundabout.
You can also make use of any large or slow vehicles such as lorries and coaches which are turning right or taking an exit further round the roundabout from yours and use them as Helpers.
When they start to emerge you can move off at the same time keeping ahead of them. Do not fall behind them as you will be exposed to vehicles already on the roundabout.
Choose your Helpers with care as fast-moving super bikes and high-performance sports cars do not make good ones.
Look for lane markings on the roundabout which may be faint or worn away. Imagine where the lane-markings would be if there aren’t any, but the roundabout is wide.
Maintain lane discipline. Keep concentrating on your safety space around your car.
Keep your mirror checks and observations fresh – things change quickly, especially if you go around too slow!
You may have to increase your exit speed in order to move over to the left lane. Prepare to exit in the left lane if available, otherwise exit in the right hand lane and then negotiate to move over to the left as soon as it is safe to do so.
Once in the new road recheck your mirrors and make sure your signal has cancelled.   

Gyratory Roundabout
This style of larger, busier roundabout is marked out with dedicated lanes to help vehicles get on, around and off safely. Tram lines also help you negotiate your circuit safely. 
On approach look at the information sign and select the correct lane for your exit. Sometimes the road number is the most important piece of information to absorb as this is often displayed on the road as you are guided around. 
Emerge onto the roundabout in the normal way. Keep in your designated lane using the markings and information, and be aware of traffic around you.
On some gyratory systems traffic lights (sometimes part-time) may be deployed to assist the flow of traffic as well as yellow box sections. Be sure to comply with all lights and direction arrows and keep your lane discipline.
If you find yourself in the wrong lane DO NOT change - stay in lane, exit then return to re-negotiate choosing the correct exit.
When exiting in the left lane no signal is required, but a left signal will be required if you are exiting in the right (off side) lane of the new road. 

Lastly, always look for road markings on approach to any roundabout as these MUST be obeyed, and abide by any road markings in the roundabout. 

Check The Highway Code for other information on roundabouts.