How to Handle Roundabouts Abroad
The rule that matters most is simple: traffic already in the roundabout has the right of way, and you yield to it before entering.
Yield to the traffic already circling, then go
Slow down as you approach, look to whichever side cars enter from in that country, and wait for a gap before you enter. Once you're in, you have the right of way over cars entering behind you, so keep moving at a steady pace and signal when you plan to exit.
The hard part for most drivers isn't the yielding rule itself. It's that the direction of travel is reversed from what they're used to, so the side you check for oncoming traffic is reversed too. Give yourself an extra second at each one until it becomes automatic.
Which side of the road the country drives on
If you normally drive on the right and you're visiting a country that drives on the left, or the other way around, the roundabout runs in the opposite direction from what your instincts expect. You'll be circling clockwise instead of counterclockwise, or the reverse, and you check for oncoming cars by looking the opposite way too.
This is where most mistakes happen. A driver used to checking left out of habit keeps checking left, even though the cars that matter are now coming from the right. Before you get on the road, sit in the car for a minute and just say out loud which direction you'll be circling and which side you yield to. It sounds basic, but it's what keeps the habit from taking over at the first roundabout you hit.
Multi-lane roundabouts make this harder, because you're also choosing a lane before you know the layout. If you're not sure which lane leads to your exit, stay in the outer lane. You can always circle again rather than cut across lanes at the last second.
How your rental car insurance treats you in a crash
If something goes wrong at a roundabout, which insurance responds and how depends on where you're driving and what coverage you bought with the rental. Your personal auto policy from home usually doesn't extend to a car rented in another country, so check with your insurer before you go rather than assuming you're covered.
The rental company's policy, or the country's required minimum coverage, will be what actually applies. Ask the rental counter directly what the policy covers if you're found at fault, and get it in writing or in the rental agreement rather than relying on what you're told verbally.
Some credit cards include rental coverage as a card benefit, but the terms vary by card and by country, so confirm with the card issuer before you rely on it instead of buying coverage at the counter.
Questions people ask about this
Do I have the right of way entering a roundabout abroad?
No, in most countries the traffic already in the roundabout has the right of way, not the car entering. Confirm this for the specific country before you drive, since a few places do it differently, and signage at the entrance usually tells you who yields.
Which lane do I use in a multi-lane roundabout abroad?
Use the outer lane if you're unsure, since it leads to every exit and keeps you out of the way of cars already committed to an inner lane. Move to the inner lane only if you know you need it for an exit further around, and signal before you change lanes.
Do I need an international driving permit to drive abroad?
This depends on the country, so check the requirement before you travel rather than assuming your home license is enough. Some countries require the permit alongside your regular license, and driving without one where it's required can affect how a claim is handled.
Will my rental car insurance cover an accident at a roundabout?
It depends on the policy you bought with the rental and the country's rules, so ask the rental counter directly what's covered if you're found at fault. Don't assume your home auto policy extends to a foreign rental without checking with your insurer first.
What should I do if I miss my exit in a roundabout abroad?
Stay in your lane and go around again rather than cutting across to make the exit. Roundabouts are built so you can circle more than once, and cutting across lanes at the last second is a common cause of collisions for drivers unfamiliar with the layout.
See what a policy abroad would actually cost before you book the rental.
Before you travel, call your auto insurer and ask in plain terms whether your policy extends to a rental in the country you're visiting. Check whether that country requires an international driving permit and get one ahead of time if so. At the rental counter, ask specifically what's covered if you're at fault in a crash and get the answer in writing. Spend a few minutes before you drive confirming which side of the road the country uses and which direction that means for roundabouts. If you're renting for more than a short trip, compare what the rental company charges for coverage against a standalone policy, since the difference can be significant.
