Theory Mastery

Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

What the exam asks here: When exiting, your gaze mostly goes to the lane next to you — that's where the cars are, big and visible.

14 minutes · 7 sections · 7 questions

The trap

Many learners think: When leaving a roundabout, you only need to watch for cars continuing around — you don't need to give way to cyclists on the cycle path alongside the roundabout.

The rule is: The priority duty when exiting also applies to (moped) cyclists on a cycle lane or path that is part of the roundabout. Not checking is not an exemption

Challenge

When exiting, your gaze mostly goes to the lane next to you — that's where the cars are, big and visible. The narrow cycle lane just outside it easily falls outside that habitual glance. The book does not treat that lane as a side note, but as exactly the same priority duty as the lane itself.

Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

The model

If the cycle lane is part of the roundabout: the cyclist gets priority when you exit (Book p.85-86) — exactly like continuing car traffic. If the cycle path lies far from the roundabout: ordinary junction rules apply, no automatic cyclist priority (Book p.86).

Read this section on its own page: The model: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

Core

If you want to leave a roundabout, you must give way to traffic that keeps following the roundabout (Book p.85). That duty is not limited to cars: it applies equally to (moped) cyclists riding on a cycle lane or path that is part of the roundabout (Book p.85-86). The book itself states a counter-case: if the cycle or moped path lies far enough from the roundabout that it no longer counts as part of it, you do not need to give way to cyclists on that path when exiting — the ordinary rules for that junction apply instead (Book p.86). When exiting there is a separate duty on top of that: before turning off you signal to the right — even when it is quiet, because it is not automatic. The book also advises moving to the right already on the approach road (Book p.83); that is sensible, but not a legal duty: just before and on a roundabout you may also drive other than on the right.

Read this section on its own page: Core: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

Why it matters

A cyclist continuing around the roundabout is riding exactly through the arc an exiting car cuts across — a quick glance that only checks the lane misses that cyclist completely. Conversely, it is just as risky to expect cyclist priority everywhere: at a cycle path that is structurally separate from the roundabout, crossing traffic there expects the ordinary rules, not an exception.

Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

Active recall

At a roundabout in Denekamp, near an Aldi, you want to exit to the right. A cycle lane runs around the roundabout and continues into the cycle path you are now approaching; a cyclist is riding straight on that lane. What do you do?

Read this section on its own page: Active recall: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

Teach back

Explain: when must you give way to a cyclist on the cycle path when exiting a roundabout, and when not?

Read this section on its own page: Teach back: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

Memory hook

Cycle path at the roundabout: cyclist first. Cycle path far from it: ordinary rules. Always signal right when exiting to the right.

Read this section on its own page: Memory hook: Leaving the roundabout: looking, signalling, priority

Source: RVV 1990 art. 17 · RVV 1990 art. 18 · checked 2026-10-22

The picture

Exiting the roundabout: priority depends on where the cycle path liesCycle path is part of the roundaboutCycle path lies far from the roundaboutWho has priority on exit (p.85-86)the cyclist continuing around the roundaboutthe exiting car (ordinary junction rules)Signalling (p.83)mandatory, to the rightmandatory, to the right
What to look at: Cycle path is part of the roundabout: cyclist gets priority when you exit. Cycle path lies far from the roundabout: car has priority.

Signs and law

Test yourself

At a roundabout in Haaksbergen you want to exit to the right. Alongside your lane runs a cycle lane that keeps following the roundabout; a cyclist is riding there right next to you. Must you give way to that cyclist before you turn off?

Show the answer

If the cycle lane is part of the roundabout: the cyclist gets priority when you exit (Book p.85-86) — exactly like continuing car traffic. If the cycle path lies far from the roundabout: ordinary junction rules apply, no automatic cyclist priority (Book p.86).

Exam questions on this topic

At a roundabout in Denekamp, near an Aldi, you want to exit to the right. A cycle lane runs around the roundabout and continues into the cycle path you are now approaching; a cyclist is riding straight on that lane. What do you do?

  1. I signal in good time, let the cyclist go first, and only then turn off
  2. I signal and turn off, the cycle lane is a side issue as long as I watch the lane
  3. I turn off without signalling, since it's obvious I'm leaving the roundabout anyway
Show the answer

Correct answer: I signal in good time, let the cyclist go first, and only then turn off

The cycle lane is part of the roundabout: the same priority duty as for continuing car traffic

Why learners get this wrong: When leaving a roundabout, you only need to watch for cars continuing around — you don't need to give way to cyclists on the cycle path alongside the roundabout.

Open this question

At a roundabout in Haaksbergen a cycle lane runs around it. You want to exit to the right; a cyclist on that lane keeps following the roundabout. What do you do?

  1. I turn off as planned, the cycle lane is a side issue as long as the lane is clear
  2. I honk so the cyclist brakes and I can drive through
  3. I give way to the cyclist before turning off
  4. I stop in the middle of the roundabout until the cyclist is completely gone
Show the answer

Correct answer: I give way to the cyclist before turning off

False — Honking does not change the priority — the cyclist continuing around the roundabout goes first

Why learners get this wrong: When leaving a roundabout, you only need to watch for cars continuing around — you don't need to give way to cyclists on the cycle path alongside the roundabout.

Open this question

Statement: every cycle path at a roundabout gets priority when you exit, regardless of how far it lies from the roundabout.

  1. True
  2. False
Show the answer

Correct answer: False

Why learners get this wrong: Every cycle path near a roundabout automatically gets priority when you exit, regardless of how far it lies from the roundabout.

Open this question

At a roundabout in Denekamp, near an Aldi, the cycle path branches away from the road well before the roundabout — it does not run around the roundabout. You want to exit to the right and a cyclist is approaching on that cycle path. What applies?

  1. Neither has priority, you both must stop and sort it out on the spot
  2. Ordinary junction rules apply — the cycle path is not part of the roundabout
  3. The cyclist has priority regardless, every cycle path near a roundabout counts
Show the answer

Correct answer: Ordinary junction rules apply — the cycle path is not part of the roundabout

False — This is an ordinary junction without the roundabout exception — the normal priority rules for that junction determine who goes first

Why learners get this wrong: If the cycle path bends away well before the roundabout, nobody has priority and you sort it out between you.

Open this question

Which statements about exiting a roundabout are correct? (multiple answers possible)

  1. You must also give way to cyclists on a cycle lane that follows the roundabout
  2. You must give way to continuing car traffic
  3. Signalling is not necessary, since it's already obvious you're turning off
  4. You never need to give way to cyclists as long as you were already on the roundabout
  5. When exiting to the right you signal to the right
Show the answer

Correct answer: You must also give way to cyclists on a cycle lane that follows the roundabout; You must give way to continuing car traffic; When exiting to the right you signal to the right

Why learners get this wrong: When exiting a roundabout to the right, you don't need to signal, because it's already obvious you're leaving the roundabout.

Open this question

On a quiet roundabout in Bunschoten you want to take the next exit on the right. Nobody is behind you and no other traffic is in sight. What do you do before you turn off?

  1. Only signal if someone is following
  2. I signal right in good time
  3. Nothing: my exit is already clear enough
Show the answer

Correct answer: I signal right in good time

False — signalling does not depend on who is behind you. Before turning off you signal, even if you see nobody; otherwise a cyclist or pedestrian may be surprised

Why learners get this wrong: When leaving a roundabout you only need to signal if there is traffic behind you.

Open this question

It is rush hour on a busy roundabout in Denekamp. You want to leave the roundabout to the right. On the cycle lane to your right a cyclist is riding who keeps following the roundabout. What do you do?

  1. Turn off without signalling; in rush hour people see it anyway
  2. Signal, let the cyclist go first and then turn off
  3. Signal and turn off; the cyclist has to watch out for me
Show the answer

Correct answer: Signal, let the cyclist go first and then turn off

False — you do not treat the cyclist as through traffic. Whoever leaves the roundabout lets the traffic that keeps following it go first, including a cyclist on the cycle lane

Why learners get this wrong: When exiting a roundabout to the right, you don't need to signal, because it's already obvious you're leaving the roundabout.

Open this question

Frequently asked questions

‘When leaving a roundabout, you only need to watch for cars continuing around — you don't need to give way to cyclists on the cycle path alongside the roundabout’ – is that true?

No. The priority duty when exiting also applies to (moped) cyclists on a cycle lane or path that is part of the roundabout. Not checking is not an exemption

‘Every cycle path near a roundabout automatically gets priority when you exit, regardless of how far it lies from the roundabout’ – is that true?

No. If the cycle/moped path lies far enough from the roundabout that it no longer counts as part of it, the roundabout priority rule does not apply there — the ordinary rules for that junction apply instead.

‘When exiting a roundabout to the right, you don't need to signal, because it's already obvious you're leaving the roundabout’ – is that true?

No. Before turning off you signal to the right, even if your intention seems obvious and even with no other traffic. It is a separate duty, not automatic

‘When leaving a roundabout you only need to signal if there is traffic behind you’ – is that true?

No. Signalling before turning off is a fixed duty, not only a message to whoever is behind you; cyclists and pedestrians read it too

‘When leaving a roundabout you may sound the horn so that the cyclist on the cycle lane brakes and you can turn off’ – is that true?

No. Honking does not change the priority — the cyclist continuing around the roundabout goes first

Related topics

Open in the app