Roundabouts in Switzerland: priority, indicating and lane choice

Priority at the entrance: look left, and observe the whole scene

Swiss roundabouts normally combine the blue circular-direction sign (2.41.1) with the give-way sign (3.02). With that combination, you must slow down and give way to vehicles approaching from the left in the roundabout. The entry is not an ordinary priority-from-the-right junction.

Watch for all relevant vehicles, including bicycles and e-bikes. A cyclist in the roundabout has the same priority over entering traffic as a car. Do not judge a gap only by looking for headlights or a large vehicle.

There is no requirement to stop at every clear roundabout entrance: proceed at a suitable speed if you can see that it is safe and do not interfere with the priority traffic. If the view is restricted or the gap is uncertain, slow further and stop if needed.

The priority rule comes from the signs and legal situation, not merely from the presence of a circular island. If the usual combination is absent, assess the actual control and road layout rather than assuming that every circular access road has left-side priority.

Indicating: signal the exit and lane changes

VRV Article 41b(2) distinguishes entering, circulating, changing lane and leaving:

Normally, indicate for your exit after passing the preceding exit, so others can understand which one you intend to take. If you take the first exit immediately, signal that exit early enough, including before entering where appropriate. “You must never indicate on entry” would therefore be too absolute.

Example: you intend to take the third exit. Enter when the gap is safe, continue without an unnecessary signal in the same lane, and indicate right after the second exit. Check the exit path and any pedestrian crossing as part of the manoeuvre. Your indicator announces your intention; it does not make a lane change or exit automatically safe.

Several lanes: choose early and change safely

On a conventional two-lane roundabout, the right lane is commonly used for the first or second exit and the left for later exits. Follow the actual signs and directional arrows: the permitted choice depends on the layout. A spiral or turbo roundabout can guide a lane directly to an exit and restrict lane changes.

When changing from an inner lane towards an outer lane, the driver changing lane must ensure that other traffic is not endangered (SVG Article 44(1)). Indicating does not transfer priority. Check mirrors and the relevant blind spot for vehicles and cyclists already alongside.

Do not cut across an occupied outer lane to reach your exit. On an ordinary layout that permits continued circulation, another lap may give you a safer opportunity. If signs, arrows or lane separation require your lane to leave, take the permitted exit and find a safe route back instead. “Always go round again” is not suitable for every layout.

Plan the lane choice before entering. Once inside, continue observing rather than treating your original plan as a right to cross somebody else's path.

Cyclists may use the centre of the lane

In a roundabout, cyclists may depart from the normal duty to keep to the right (VRV Article 41b(3)). Riding towards the centre of their lane can make their path clearer and reduce the risk of being squeezed by a vehicle entering or leaving.

As a driver, expect this position. Do not crowd a cyclist towards the edge or try to force past before your exit. The road-safety advice is to stay behind and avoid overtaking in the roundabout. Give the rider the space needed to continue or leave.

Being in the centre does not make a cyclist visible from every angle. Check carefully at entry and again before leaving; a cycle can be beside you in a blind spot. If a conflict develops, wait rather than crossing the rider's path.

Pedestrian crossings near the exits

Many roundabouts have pedestrian crossings close to their entrances and exits. The task is therefore not finished when you find a gap in the circulating traffic. Observe the pavement, the crossing and the visibility around both before you reach them.

Before an uncontrolled crossing, give way to people already crossing or waiting immediately before it with a recognisable intention to cross. Stop if necessary (SVG Article 33(2); VRV Article 6(1)). A person does not need to step onto the crossing or give a hand signal before the duty can arise.

For example, someone with a pushchair waits beside the exit crossing, intending to cross. Indicate your exit, slow early and be prepared to stop. Do not concentrate only on the car behind or assume that circulating priority removes the pedestrian duty.

Anticipate a queue beyond the crossing and do not enter the crossing if traffic would leave you stopped on it. This does not remove the need to stop when a pedestrian needs to cross. See pedestrian crossings for examples involving hidden views and vehicles stopped alongside.

Speed, small roundabouts and a missed exit

Approach at a speed that gives you time to observe and yield. A teaching example such as 20–30 km/h is not a universal legal limit or safe target for a roundabout. Size, sight lines, pedestrians, cyclists, grip and traffic determine whether a much lower speed is needed.

Some small roundabouts have an overrun area or a low central island to accommodate larger vehicles. Its construction is not an invitation to drive straight across as a shortcut. Follow the signed direction and the permitted vehicle path; leave room for a long vehicle's turning movement instead of driving alongside its inner turn.

If you miss an exit, remain predictable. Do not reverse or make a sudden sideways move. Continue around only where the lane layout permits it; otherwise follow your lane to a lawful exit and reroute. Losing a little time is preferable to making a manoeuvre that other road users cannot anticipate.

Entering too quickly reduces the time available to judge priority and see a cyclist or pedestrian. Work on early observation and an appropriate speed, rather than trying to reach one memorised number.

A practical four-part learning check

1. Approach: read the signs and arrows, choose a suitable lane and speed, and observe any crossing before the entrance.
2. Enter: check the circulating traffic from the left and other relevant hazards. Yield and enter only when the gap is sufficient.
3. Circulate: maintain a predictable position, watch for cyclists and signal and check any permitted lane change.
4. Leave: indicate right in good time, check the intended path and blind spot, and observe the pedestrian crossing and queue ahead.

This is a learning structure, not a claim that one fixed sequence of glances fits every junction. Observation must continue as the situation changes. A missing indicator, rushed entry or unsafe move across an occupied lane can create a real conflict even if the other parts were correct.

Practise explaining the rule behind each action with the English theory practice quiz. The existing quiz covers general Swiss theory topics; it is not a roundabout-only test.