Circulating traffic usually goes first
Verkeer op de rotonde
Where shark teeth face you at the entrance, you give way to traffic already on the roundabout. Look left as you approach and be ready to stop even if the road looks clear from a distance.
Roundabouts
Understand Dutch roundabout rules for the theory exam
Roundabouts look similar across the Netherlands, but priority and cycle crossings are set locally, so learning to read the signs matters more than memorising a single rule.
Clear English explanations • Dutch terminology included • 10 free questions, no account
Who has priority on a Dutch roundabout?
On most roundabouts in the Netherlands, traffic already circulating has priority over traffic entering. This is shown by shark-tooth markings (haaientanden) painted at each entrance, together with a give-way or priority sign.
That said, priority is never automatic just because a road feature is a roundabout. Signs and markings decide the situation at each individual entry, and in rare cases entering traffic has priority instead, so you always read the junction rather than assume.
Cycle paths that run around the outside of a roundabout add another layer. Whether cyclists have priority over you as you enter or leave depends on local signing, and this varies between towns, so each crossing needs its own check.
What you need to understand
Shark teeth mark the entry, not the exit
Haaientanden
The give-way markings apply to your entrance point only. Passing them does not grant you priority over the next entrance further round the roundabout.
Cycle crossings are signed separately
Fietsoversteek
A cycle path circling the roundabout may have its own priority rule, shown by a separate sign or shark teeth at the crossing itself. Do not assume it matches the priority rule of the roundabout as a whole.
Signal when leaving, not when entering
Richting aangeven
You generally do not indicate on approach when you plan to go more than a quarter of the way round. As you prepare to leave at your exit, signal right in good time so following traffic understands your intention.
Turbo roundabouts need an early lane choice
Turborotonde
Turbo roundabouts have raised lane dividers that make it difficult or unsafe to change lanes once you are on them. Choose the correct lane for your exit before you enter, using the overhead or approach signs.
Multi-lane roundabouts still follow lane markings
Rijstrook
On roundabouts with more than one lane, stay within your chosen lane throughout unless markings clearly allow a lane change. Watch for vehicles beside you when your paths diverge near an exit.
Trams and buses may have separate rules
Tram en bus
Some roundabouts carry tram tracks or bus lanes through the middle or across an entrance. These can carry their own priority, shown by dedicated signs or signals, so check for them specifically.
Pedestrians at a roundabout crossing
Voetgangersoversteekplaats
Where a marked pedestrian crossing sits on an approach or exit road, pedestrians already on it must be allowed to finish crossing, in the same way as any zebra crossing elsewhere.
Mini-roundabouts with a low island
Minirotonde
Small roundabouts marked only with a flat or slightly raised circle still generally give priority to circulating traffic. Large vehicles are permitted to drive over the central island if needed.
Use this five-step roundabout check
- 1
Are there shark teeth or a sign at my entrance?
This tells you whether you or the circulating traffic has priority at this specific point.
- 2
Is there a cycle crossing, and what does it say?
Check the cycle path separately — its priority rule can differ from the roundabout's general rule.
- 3
Which lane do I need for my exit?
Decide before entering, especially on a turbo roundabout where lane changes are restricted.
- 4
Is a tram, bus or emergency vehicle involved?
These can carry separate priority through or across the roundabout, shown by their own signs or signals.
- 5
When should I signal my exit?
Indicate right only as you approach your exit, not when you first enter the roundabout.
This sequence is a consistent way to read each roundabout entry and crossing in turn, not a script to recite from memory.
Important Dutch terms
Rotonde
Roundabout
A circular junction where circulating traffic usually has priority.
Haaientanden
Shark teeth
Give-way markings pointing at the road user who must yield.
Fietsoversteek
Cycle crossing
Has its own priority rule, set locally per roundabout.
Turborotonde
Turbo roundabout
Raised lane dividers; choose your lane before entering.
Richting aangeven
Signalling
Signal right only when approaching your exit.
Rijstrook
Traffic lane
Stay in your chosen lane unless markings allow a change.
Minirotonde
Mini-roundabout
Small, sometimes flat, circle; same priority principle applies.
Voorrangsbord
Priority sign
Confirms who must give way at a specific entrance.
Common mistakes learners make
Assuming every roundabout works the same way
Priority is set entry by entry with signs and markings. A neighbouring roundabout in the same town can follow a different rule.
Ignoring the cycle path's own priority
Treating the cycle crossing as automatically matching the roundabout's rule leads to missed cyclists or unnecessary stops.
Signalling on entry when going right round
Indicating too early can mislead traffic waiting to enter into thinking you are about to exit immediately.
Choosing a turbo roundabout lane too late
Raised dividers between lanes make late changes unsafe or impossible. Read the approach signs well before the entrance.
Forgetting large vehicles need more space
Trucks and buses sometimes swing wide or use the central island on tight roundabouts; leave them room rather than trying to overtake alongside.
Overlooking tram or bus priority through the roundabout
Where tracks or a bus lane cross the roundabout, their priority can override the usual circulating-traffic rule.
Not checking behind before exiting
A quick mirror and shoulder check before leaving avoids conflict with vehicles that entered after you in another lane.
Work through the situation step by step
Scenario 1 — A single-lane roundabout with shark teeth
- Situation
- You approach a small roundabout. Shark teeth face your entrance, and a car is already circulating from your left.
- What to inspect first
- Check the shark teeth at your own entry and confirm the circulating car's path will cross yours.
- Correct action
- Give way and wait until the circulating car has passed before entering.
- Explanation
- The shark teeth at this entrance mean circulating traffic has priority. The car already on the roundabout must be allowed to continue.
- Relevant principle
- Shark teeth at your entrance decide priority for that specific point.
Scenario 2 — A cycle crossing on the exit road
- Situation
- You are leaving a roundabout and must cross a cycle path. A cyclist is approaching the crossing from your right, and shark teeth are painted on the cycle path facing the cyclist.
- What to inspect first
- Identify the shark teeth on the cycle crossing itself, separate from the roundabout's general priority rule.
- Correct action
- Proceed across the cycle path, since the markings show the cyclist must give way to you at this crossing.
- Explanation
- The cycle crossing carries its own priority marking, which here places the duty to give way on the cyclist rather than on you.
- Relevant principle
- A cycle crossing's priority is set independently of the roundabout's overall rule.
Scenario 3 — A turbo roundabout with two exits ahead
- Situation
- You need the second exit of a turbo roundabout with two lanes, and overhead signs show which lane serves which exit.
- What to inspect first
- Read the approach signs before entering to identify the correct lane for the second exit.
- Correct action
- Choose that lane before entering and stay in it until you leave the roundabout.
- Explanation
- Raised lane dividers on turbo roundabouts prevent safe lane changes once you are inside, so the choice must be made in advance.
- Relevant principle
- Turbo roundabouts require the exit lane to be selected before entry.
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3No account needed
Related topics
Frequently asked questions
On most roundabouts, circulating traffic has priority, shown by shark-tooth markings at each entrance, but this is set locally rather than being a universal rule.
Generally no, unless you are turning off almost immediately. You do signal right as you approach the exit you intend to take.
No. Priority at each cycle crossing is set by its own signs or markings and can vary between roundabouts, so check each one individually.
Read the overhead or approach signs before entering, since raised dividers between lanes make it unsafe to change lanes once you are on the roundabout.
Yes, trucks and buses are generally permitted to drive over a flat or low central island when their size requires it.
Where tram tracks cross a roundabout, trams typically carry their own priority shown by dedicated signs or signals, so check for tracks specifically.
You can answer the free knowledge check on this page without an account, then try up to 10 free practice questions on the practice page before continuing into full topic rounds.
Ready to practise Roundabouts?
Apply what you have learned with realistic practice questions and clear explanations.