Roundabouts and intersections are where many learner drivers lose precious marks — or fail their driving test outright. With driving test fees in Singapore set to rise progressively from 13 March 2026 (the first increase since 2016), every attempt counts more than ever. Get it right the first time by mastering what Traffic Police assessors actually look for at these junctions.
Why Roundabouts Catch Learners Off Guard
Unlike a straight road or even a filter lane, a roundabout demands that you process multiple things simultaneously: your entry speed, lane position, signal timing, and the vehicles already circulating inside. Panic or hesitation at the wrong moment — and you will either cut across another car or stall the queue behind you. Neither is a good look for your assessor.
The good news is that roundabout behaviour follows a clear set of rules. Once those rules become muscle memory, the manoeuvre feels routine rather than terrifying.
The Golden Rules for Roundabouts
1. Choose the correct lane before you enter
In Singapore, the general rule is:
- Turning left — use the left lane and signal left throughout.
- Going straight — use the left lane; no entry signal required, but signal left before your exit.
- Turning right or making a U-turn — use the right lane, signal right on entry, then switch to a left signal as you pass the exit just before yours.
Always check your mirrors and blind spots when changing lanes to reach the correct lane before the roundabout, not inside it.
2. Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout
This is a firm legal requirement in Singapore. Do not creep forward hoping the circulating vehicle will brake for you. Slow down, look right, and only enter when you have a clear gap. Your assessor will penalise you for failing to give way — it can even be an immediate failure.
3. Signal at the right moments
Signal timing is one of the most penalised areas at roundabouts. As a rule of thumb:
- Apply your entry signal (if turning right) before you reach the give-way line.
- Switch to a left signal after passing the exit before your intended one — this tells other drivers you are about to leave the roundabout.
- Cancel your signal promptly once you have exited.
Intersections: T-Junctions and Cross-Junctions
At traffic-light controlled intersections, the key mistakes assessors see are:
- Stopping with the front wheels over the stop line.
- Filtering right or left without checking the blind spot first.
- Moving off on a green arrow without first checking that crossing traffic has actually stopped.
- Hesitating so long on an amber that the car behind nearly rear-ends you — or, conversely, running through a late amber.
At an uncontrolled T-junction, the vehicle on the minor road must always give way to traffic on the major road. Look right, look left, look right again — and only pull out when it is genuinely safe.
What Assessors Specifically Watch For
Traffic Police assessors score you on observation, lane discipline, signal use, and speed management through every junction. A hesitant but safe driver will score better than an overconfident one who cuts across lanes.
Use the SteerClear app to practise real Singapore driving test routes — including the roundabouts and intersections most commonly encountered on test days. The live scoring feature flags signal and lane errors in real time, so you can correct bad habits before your assessor does.
Quick Checklist Before Any Roundabout or Junction
- Am I in the correct lane with enough time to spare?
- Have I checked my mirrors and blind spots?
- Is my signal on at the right moment?
- Have I reduced speed and prepared to give way?
- Am I looking where I need to go — not just at the car in front?
Run through this mental checklist on every approach and you will handle roundabouts and intersections with the calm, deliberate control that earns a pass. With test fees going up, there has never been a better reason to get it right first time.