Mastering the art of driving represents a fundamental life skill, yet it presents numerous challenges for beginners, particularly when confronting complex road features like roundabouts. While experienced motorists navigate these junctions with apparent ease, they often provoke significant anxiety and hesitation among novice drivers preparing for their tests.
Expert Guidance from a Seasoned Instructor
Adem Veli of Passman Driving brings over fifteen years of professional instruction experience to learners across London areas including Chingford, Sidcup, and Bexley. Beyond his practical teaching, he maintains a popular TikTok channel with 45,900 followers, regularly sharing educational clips from his driving lessons and discussing various motoring topics with students.
The Critical Pre-Roundabout Check
In one instructional video, Adem worked with a learner named Mel who expressed particular concern about roundabouts ahead of her upcoming driving test. When asked what specifically troubled her, Mel explained she frequently hesitated when attempting to enter roundabouts, often missing gaps and feeling frustrated about her timing.
"You don't just want to jump out to see, obviously," Adem advised in the clip. "But sometimes, you might see another experienced driver just shoot out. Don't think you have to get out with them."
His essential recommendation emphasizes that learners should only proceed when they secure a gap that inspires genuine confidence, rather than feeling pressured to match the timing of more experienced drivers. This approach helps reduce anxiety while ensuring safer decision-making.
During their practical session, Mel demonstrated this technique by slowing her vehicle, coming to a complete stop before the roundabout entrance, carefully observing approaching traffic, and only proceeding when she identified a comfortable gap to turn right onto the subsequent road.
Highway Code Roundabout Regulations
According to official Highway Code guidelines, drivers approaching roundabouts should:
- Absorb all available information including traffic signs, signals, and lane markings that indicate appropriate lanes for intended directions
- Identify their required lane as early as possible, adjusting speed and position gradually to match surrounding traffic conditions
- Give priority to vehicles approaching from the right unless otherwise indicated by signs, road markings, or traffic lights
- Check whether specific markings permit entry without giving way, while still looking right before joining
Lane Selection and Signaling Procedures
The Highway Code provides specific guidance for different roundabout maneuvers:
- Taking the first exit: Signal left and approach in the left-hand lane, maintaining left position while continuing to indicate through exit
- Turning right or completing full circle: Signal right and approach in right-hand lane unless signs indicate otherwise, maintaining right position until preparing to exit
- Exiting procedure: Signal left after passing the exit immediately before your intended departure to indicate lane change
For roundabouts with more than three entrance lanes, drivers should select the most appropriate lane both during approach and navigation. While road signs sometimes provide specific lane guidance, this isn't always available, requiring drivers to make informed decisions based on their intended direction and traffic patterns.
This comprehensive approach to roundabout navigation, combining expert practical advice with official regulations, provides learner drivers with both the technical knowledge and psychological confidence needed to tackle these challenging road features successfully. The emphasis on personalized timing rather than mimicking experienced drivers represents particularly valuable insight for those preparing for driving tests or building general road confidence.
