As it turned out, Paweł chose a good driving school—though not in Warsaw, but in Krakow—that taught him how to properly drive around roundabouts. However, his joy was short-lived…
The day of his category A driving test arrived. On his first attempt, Paweł negotiated the roundabout, just as he’d been taught at the Regional Traffic Control Center. He was supposed to turn left at the roundabout. So, before entering it, he activated his left indicator, which he only deactivated when he entered the inner lane (it was a two-lane roundabout). He negotiated the roundabout without using his indicator, which he activated as he exited the roundabout (of course, he activated his right indicator as he exited).
The examiner dragged him through the same roundabout again. Paweł did exactly the same thing: he used his left indicator before entering, then switched it off after moving into the middle lane, and then his right indicator when exiting. Meanwhile, the examiner told him to pull over and informed him that he had made the same mistake twice, thus failing the test…
What was this mistake? More on that in a moment. First, let’s explain how to drive safely around a roundabout…
How to drive around a roundabout with a yield sign? A Warsaw driving school explains the rules at this circular intersection.
Let’s start with the most popular roundabout in Poland, i.e. the intersection marked with signs C-12 („circular traffic”) and A-7 („give way”).
How to drive around a roundabout with a „give way” sign?
- Firstly, before entering the roundabout, we must give way to vehicles already on it.
- Second, we get into the correct lane and turn on our left turn signal (if we plan to turn left or make a U-turn) or our right turn signal (if we plan to turn right). If we’re going straight, we don’t turn on our turn signal.
- Thirdly, if we are going left or making a U-turn, we turn on the left turn signal and take the left (i.e. middle) lane, provided it is free.
- Fourth, we must yield to a tram exiting the roundabout island. If a tram is entering the roundabout, it must yield to us.
- Fifth, as we approach our exit from the roundabout, we activate our right indicator. If we are driving in the left (inner) lane, we must yield to vehicles traveling in the right-hand lane we are about to enter. It’s worth remembering that we always use our indicators when changing direction or lane.
How to drive through a roundabout without a yield sign? A Warsaw driving school shows you how to navigate this circular intersection.
Although a roundabout with the C-12 („circular traffic”) sign without the A-7 („give way”) sign does not exist in Warsaw, we can come across them when traveling around Poland, for example in Katowice (Bishop Ignacy Jeż roundabout) or in Sosnowiec (at Stawowa Street).
How to drive around a roundabout without a yield sign?
- Firstly, we have priority when entering this roundabout, because the right-hand rule applies here, i.e. the same as at equivalent intersections, which gives priority to vehicles on our right.
- Secondly – similarly to the previous roundabout discussed – we take the appropriate lane, turn on the appropriate indicator and enter the roundabout.
- Thirdly, we give way not only to trams leaving the roundabout, but also to those entering it, because they are on our right.
- Fourthly, let’s give way to vehicles entering the roundabout, because they are also on our right.
- Fifth, we turn on the right indicator and exit the roundabout.
How to drive around a roundabout with traffic lights? A Warsaw driving school explains the rules of the Dmowski Roundabout.
Although this roundabout has signs A-7 and C-12, due to the fact that there are traffic lights that have a superior function over the vertical signs, the passage will be different than on a classic roundabout without the so-called traffic lights.
How to drive around a roundabout with traffic lights?
- Firstly, if we are going straight or to the right, our passage will be the same as if we were going through any intersection with traffic lights.
- Secondly, if we’re turning left or making a U-turn, the ride will be slightly different. We’ll describe how to perform these maneuvers in a moment.
- Thirdly, if we want to turn left or make a U-turn, we turn on the left turn signal and take the left lane before the intersection.
- Fourth, if we’re turning left, we immediately move into the right-hand lane, which will take us out of the roundabout. If we’re making a U-turn, we move into the left-hand (inner) lane, meaning we turn left twice.
- Fifth, if we have a so-called green arrow (sign S-2), we don’t worry about the tram, as it indicates a grade-separated crossing. However, if there is no green arrow, the tram also has a green light and we must let it pass.
- Sixthly, when exiting, we take the right lane, not the left, so that we do not have to go around in circles, and we do not have to exit with the right turn signal on.
How to drive around a turbo roundabout? A Warsaw driving school explains the rules.
A unique feature of a turbo roundabout is that the traffic lanes do not intersect, as they are separated from each other. Therefore, in theory, they ensure safe passage through the roundabout.
How to drive on a turbo roundabout?
- First, we must take the appropriate lane to drive straight, right or left, turn on the appropriate indicator for the direction of travel and give way to vehicles on the roundabout.
- Secondly, if we are going right, we take the right lane and turn on the right turn signal until we exit the roundabout.
- Third, when driving straight ahead, you may have two lanes available (left and right). Choose one without having to use your turn signal.
- Fourthly, when turning left or making a U-turn, we take the left lane before entering the roundabout and turn on the left indicator to go around the roundabout in our clear lane, and then turn on the right indicator when leaving the roundabout.
- Fifth, if you’re driving on a single-carriageway road (previously dual-carriageways), signal appropriately before entering the roundabout, yield to vehicles there, and use the right lane on the roundabout shield for turning right or straight ahead, or the left lane for turning left or making a U-turn. When leaving the roundabout, signal right.
Summary: When to signal at a roundabout? A driving school in Warsaw explains how Paweł’s story unfolded.
Even though Paweł did exactly as recommended in our article, he failed his driving test. The examiner concluded that Paweł could not have driven through the roundabout without using his indicator when turning left.
The boy only used his left indicator before entering the roundabout, and then his right indicator when exiting. According to the examiner, this wasn’t enough…
However, the student appealed the examiner’s decision to the Provincial Administrative Court, which ruled that when turning left at a roundabout, it was not necessary to use the left indicator before entering and while passing through the roundabout. The voivodeship marshal therefore invalidated the practical part of the exam .
Although there is no such obligation, we at the „Lauto” driving school from Warsaw recommend that you use your turn signal before entering the roundabout, just as when leaving it, which will significantly improve your safety and make life easier for other road users.