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DGT Glossary
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Roundabout

Gyratory intersection driven with its centre kept on your left, where vehicles already on the circular carriageway have priority.

Definition

A roundabout (glorieta in official DGT signage) is a gyratory intersection around a central island. Article 43 of Spain's Reglamento General de Circulación sets the defining rule: in squares, roundabouts and junctions, vehicles always drive keeping the centre on their left. The second rule is priority — unless signage says otherwise, vehicles already on the circular carriageway have priority over those entering. The design keeps traffic flowing and cuts serious crashes compared with a classic intersection.

Priority and lane use

The general give-way-to-the-right rule has the roundabout as one of its exceptions: traffic already on the ring goes first, even when the entering vehicle arrives from the right — as long as no sign regulates priority. Drive at a moderate speed and respect the position of the vehicle already in a lane over one moving into it. Entering, pick the lane that suits your exit: the inner lane is fine for a distant exit. Leaving, move to the right-hand (outer) lane and signal.

Overtaking, U-turns, pedestrians and cyclists

Overtaking is banned at intersections, but roundabouts are an express exception: you may overtake on the outer lane if you are leaving and on the inner one if you continue to a later exit. U-turns are allowed too — on the outer lane, giving way to traffic already on the ring and keeping the centre on your left. Pedestrians with no crossing available must walk around the roundabout rather than straight across it. And when a group of cyclists has its lead rider already on the roundabout, the whole group has priority over motor vehicles (art. 64 RGC).

Key facts

  • Article 43 RGC: always drive keeping the centre of the roundabout on your left.
  • Unless signed otherwise, vehicles already on the circular carriageway have priority over those entering.
  • A gyratory junction that is not a roundabout falls back on give-way-to-the-right when unsigned.
  • Always exit using the right-hand (outer) lane, signalling with the indicator.
  • On entry, pick the lane that suits your exit; the inner lane is valid for a distant exit.
  • Overtaking is permitted on roundabouts — an exception to the ban at intersections.
  • U-turns are permitted, on the outer lane and giving way to traffic already on the ring.
  • Pedestrians must walk around a roundabout when there is no pedestrian crossing.
  • A group of cyclists whose lead rider is already on the roundabout has priority over motor vehicles (art. 64 RGC).

Exam tip

Two rules answer almost every question: the centre of the roundabout always stays on your left, and priority belongs to whoever is already on the circular carriageway. And remember the roundabout is the exception — overtaking and U-turns are both allowed there.

Frequently asked questions

Who has priority on a roundabout?
Unless a sign says otherwise, vehicles already on the circular carriageway have priority over those entering. It is one of the exceptions to the general give-way-to-the-right rule at intersections.
Which lane do you leave a roundabout from?
The right-hand (outer) lane, signalling the manoeuvre — including on a three-lane roundabout, so that leaving does not cut across lanes occupied by other vehicles.
Can you overtake on a roundabout?
Yes. Although overtaking at intersections is prohibited, roundabouts are an express exception: on the outer lane if you are about to leave, on the inner lane if you carry on to a later exit.

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