RoundaboutIndia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of India. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


6. 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.

Roundabout
Roundabout in Mehsana. (Gujarat, India)
Wikimedia.org • Bernard Gagnon • CC BY-SA
Who has priority at a roundabout in India?

India’s Driving Regulations give traffic already in a roundabout the right of way over entering vehicles. Choose a lane appropriate to your intended direction before entering.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Regulation 10

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

How should you choose a roundabout lane in India?

Choose your intended exit before entering and follow the lane arrows and destination signs. Keep to the marked route and make any permitted lane change only when safe; having priority over entering traffic does not give you priority to change lanes.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Regulation 10

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

Mandatory roundabout direction. Mandatory roundabout direction.

English • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.47a — family • Mini-roundabout. Follow the clockwise arrows and give priority to vehicles approaching from the right. The current mini-roundabout example includes a supplementary MINI ROUNDABOUT plate absent from this drawing. Meaning identified at sign-family or illustration level; this complete drawing is not confirmed as an exact current standard design.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page97

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Nepali Department of Roads • Public domain • Source revision 2021-12-21. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a roundabout. Warning for a roundabout.

English • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 15.15 • Roundabout ahead. A roundabout is ahead.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page103

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What should you check when leaving a roundabout in India?

India requires indicators when changing lanes in the roundabout. When leaving, follow the Driving Regulations’ procedure for a left turn, including signalling and checking that the manoeuvre is safe.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Regulation 10

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

1 India 2 Speed limit 3 Toll road 4 Bus stop 5 Stop sign 6 Roundabout 7 Pedestrian crossing 8 Railway crossing 9 School area 10 Crossing animals 11 Curve 12 Roadworks 13 Priority at the next junction 14 Traffic lights 15 Driving licence 16 Traffic mirror 17 No stopping 18 Reversing 19 Licence plate 20 Charging station 21 Bus 22 Police 23 Ambulance 24 Pothole 25 Path 26 Particulates 27 Air pollution 28 Rush hour 29 Road code 30 Street gutter 31 Cargo bike 32 Forestry vehicle 33 Construction vehicle 34 Semi-trailer truck 35 Trolleybus 36 Speed pedelec 37 Delivery vehicle 38 Idling 39 Tow truck 40 Four-wheel drive 41 Bicycle 42 Motorcycle equipment 43 Rail track 44 Caravan 45 Trailer 46 Tow hitch 47 Fire truck 48 Siren 49 Convoy 50 Emergency vehicle lighting 51 Agricultural machinery 52 Electric bicycle 53 Electric vehicle 54 Pedelec 55 Quadricycle 56 Microcar 57 All-terrain vehicle 58 Van 59 Recreational vehicle 60 Scooter 61 Trikke 62 Personal mobility device 63 Skateboard 64 Segway 65 Kick scooter 66 Roller skates 67 Mailman 68 Hitchhiker 69 Toddler 70 Child 71 Disability 72 Handcart 73 Motorail 74 km/h 75 mph 76 Speedometer 77 Ride height 78 Dirt road 79 Driving 80 Start-stop system 81 Manual transmission 82 Automatic transmission 83 Throttle 84 Tachometer 85 Steering wheel 86 Power steering 87 Visual scanning 88 Mirror 89 Fuel 90 Fuel gauge 91 Petrol 92 Diesel 93 Diesel exhaust fluid 94 Car insurance 95 First aid kit 96 Fire extinguisher 97 High-visibility clothing 98 First aid 99 Concrete step barrier 100 Barriers ...