RoundaboutIreland
16. Roundabout
A roundabout is a circular road arrangement in which traffic travels around a central island in one designated direction. Vehicles enter and leave through connecting roads, and traffic signs or local rules determine who has priority.
Drivers should reduce speed, choose a suitable lane, observe all road users and signal as required when leaving. The direction of travel, entry priority, lane use and rules for cyclists and pedestrians depend on local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • Seighean • CC0
Who has priority at a roundabout in Ireland?
Ireland’s RSA requires yielding to traffic coming from the right or already on the roundabout. Keep moving when the way is clear, and obey any signs or markings that specify a different lane arrangement.
🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments
Mandatory roundabout direction.
English • RUS 049 • Mini-roundabout. Follow the clockwise direction indicated by the arrows at the mini-roundabout and yield to traffic approaching from the right as required.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • RUS 049
🔗 Irishstatutebook.ie • Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (EN)
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2023-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Roadguidelines.ie • official published diagram RUS 049.
Warning for a roundabout.
English • W 043 • Roundabout ahead. A roundabout is ahead. Reduce speed and prepare to give way as required by its signs and markings.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • W 043
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2021-10-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Roadguidelines.ie • official published diagram W 043.
How should you choose a roundabout lane in Ireland?
Unless signs or markings direct otherwise, the RSA’s 12 o’clock guide uses the left lane for exits up to the straight-ahead direction and the right lane for later exits. Give room to cyclists and other road users who may remain in the left lane while continuing around.
🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments
What should you check when leaving a roundabout in Ireland?
Indicate left for the first exit. For straight ahead, do not signal on approach, but signal left after passing the preceding exit. For later exits, indicate right on approach and then left after the preceding exit, unless the actual controls direct otherwise.
🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments

Traffic rules
Ireland