Roundabouts: practice questions

Correct answer: Traffic already circulating on the roundabout

Vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. Wait at the give-way line for a safe gap in the circulating traffic, which comes from your left, before entering.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Anticlockwise (to the right around the centre)

Because the UAE drives on the right, roundabouts circulate anticlockwise. You enter and keep the central island on your left as you go around.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, roundabout direction (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Approach in the right-hand lane and signal right

For the first exit, get into the right-hand lane on approach, signal right and keep right around to the exit. Choosing the lane early avoids cutting across other traffic.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, roundabout lane choice (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Approach in an appropriate lane (often the right) and signal right only when leaving

For a straight-ahead exit, follow the lane markings on approach (commonly the right lane), give no entry signal, then signal right just before your exit to warn others you are leaving.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, straight exit at roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Approach in the left lane, signal left, then signal right before the exit

For a left-type exit, approach in the left lane and signal left, keep left around the island, then change to a right signal once you have passed the exit before yours, to leave safely.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, left exit at roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Signalling right as you pass the exit before yours warns waiting drivers and those behind that you are about to leave, helping them judge when it is safe to enter or follow.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, roundabout signalling (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Check it is clear and give way to vehicles in the outer lane

If you are in an inner lane and need to reach an exit, you must cross the outer lane safely: check mirrors and blind spots, give way to anyone in the outer lane and only move when clear.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, changing lanes on roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Slow down and be ready to give way or stop

Reduce speed on approach so you can read the traffic, judge a safe gap and give way or stop at the line. Arriving too fast leaves no time to yield safely.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, approaching a roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Never force your way on. Wait until there is a gap large enough to enter and merge without making circulating traffic brake or swerve.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, entering on a gap (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Continue around again and take it on the next pass

Do not stop, reverse or cut across to grab a missed exit. Simply continue around the roundabout and take your exit on the next time round when it is safe.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, missed exit (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: They are smaller, easy to miss and more vulnerable

Two-wheelers are easy to overlook and can be hidden in blind spots. Check carefully before entering or changing lanes, and give them plenty of room as you go around.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, vulnerable users at roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Avoid crossing other lanes inside the roundabout

Picking the right lane on approach means you can flow around to your exit without weaving across other lanes inside the roundabout, which is where many collisions happen.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, lane planning at roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Emergency vehicles have priority everywhere. If one approaches at a roundabout, do not block it: where safe, hold back at the entry or pull clear so it can pass.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, emergency vehicles at roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Follow the same give-way and direction rules as a larger roundabout

A mini-roundabout works like a normal one: give way to traffic already on it and pass anticlockwise around the central marking, even though the island is just painted, not raised.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, mini-roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: The other vehicle may move toward an exit across your path

Inside a roundabout, vehicles constantly move toward exits and may cross your line without much warning. Overtaking there risks a side-on collision, so hold your lane and your place.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, no overtaking on roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: To your left for approaching circulating traffic

Circulating traffic reaches your entry from the left, so look left for a safe gap. Glance right and ahead too for pedestrians and the layout, but your priority check is to the left.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, looking at roundabout entry (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Pick the right lane on approach and hold it around to your exit. Weaving between lanes inside a roundabout surprises other drivers and causes side-on crashes.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, lane discipline on roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Wait patiently for a safe gap before entering

When the roundabout is busy you may have to wait several vehicles for a gap. Be patient; forcing your way in causes hard braking and crashes. A clear gap will come.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, busy roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Show which exit leads where, so you can pick your lane early

A roundabout sign maps each exit to its destinations. Reading it on approach lets you choose the correct lane and exit number in advance, avoiding last-second moves.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, roundabout direction signs (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Once on the roundabout you should keep moving smoothly to your exit. Stopping without cause surprises following traffic and can lead to a rear-end crash; give way before you enter, not after.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, keep moving on roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: A blind-spot check toward the lane you are moving into

Mirrors do not show everything. A quick blind-spot glance toward your target lane catches a motorcycle or car alongside you before you move, preventing a side-swipe as you exit.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, blind-spot check (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Reduces high-speed head-on and right-angle crashes

Roundabouts keep traffic flowing in one direction and slow it down, which removes the high-speed head-on and right-angle conflicts common at crossroads. Used correctly, they are safer.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, why roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Crossings are often placed just after a roundabout exit. As you leave, be ready to stop for pedestrians using the crossing — your priority to exit does not override their priority to cross.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, pedestrians at roundabout exits (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Hold back and give it space; do not pull alongside it

Long vehicles need extra width and may use more than one lane to get around. Stay back, never sit alongside or in the blind spot of a turning truck, and let it complete its path first.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, large vehicles on roundabouts (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Telling other road users your intentions

Your signals let waiting and circulating drivers predict whether you will leave at the next exit or continue. Clear, timely signalling makes a roundabout flow safely for everyone.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, signalling intentions (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

Do not enter unless you can keep moving to your exit. Entering into gridlock and stopping inside blocks the circulating flow and locks up the whole junction.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, do not block roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Whichever is already on the roundabout; otherwise neither enters until clearly safe

Priority belongs to traffic already circulating. If both are still at their entries, each must give way to circulating traffic and proceed only when there is a clear, safe gap — not by size, speed or horn.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, simultaneous arrival (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Cancel your signal and settle into the correct lane

Once you are on the exit road, cancel the signal so you do not mislead others, settle smoothly into the appropriate lane and continue at a safe speed.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, after the roundabout (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: True

If you are in the wrong lane for your exit, you may be tempted to cut across at the last moment, which is a common cause of roundabout crashes. Choose the matching lane on approach instead.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, correct lane for exit (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Correct answer: Give way to traffic already on the roundabout before entering

Everything else follows from one principle: yield to circulating traffic and enter only on a safe gap. Get that right and the lane and signalling rules fall into place around it.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, roundabout golden rule (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)