Roundabouts The 12 o'clock rule
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From Driver Training Ltd a company that has been teaching people to drive for 20 years and are ORDIT registered driving instructor trainers (18 years) which means the DVSA recommends us and we have taught THOUSANDS of people to pass their driving test, Pass the ADI Part 2 advanced driving test, The ADI part 3 and Standards Check Test using this method - What are your qualifications?
The picture that proves this way is accurate from the Highway Code
12 O'clock rule on Roundabouts
Roundabouts should be one of the EASIEST subjects to help people understand lane position on approach to. Instead now more and more people find them confusing and are often unsure what lane they should be in
This is down to 3 things -
1 - people claiming that the term 12 o'clock rule is not in the highway code
2 - people claiming that it doesn't always work so shouldn't be used
3 - Instructors, Trainers and the DVSA not having the guts to explain how to decide roundabouts that are not the standard 3 exit, left, ahead and right - Like the picture on the left -- WE DO!
Lets explore these points
THE 12 O'clock rule is not used in the highway code
This is true - it is a phrase used by driving instructors just like the phrase "As a rule of thumb"
The phrase “rule of thumb” is a widely used expression that generally means:
A practical, approximate guideline based on experience or common sense rather than a strict rule or scientific measurement.
It’s not an exact law or regulation—it’s more like a helpful shortcut for everyday decisions.
Examples of “rule of thumb” usage:
Driving: “A good rule of thumb is to keep at least a two-second gap from the car in front.”
Cooking: “As a rule of thumb, boil pasta for 10 minutes, then taste.”
DIY/Building: “The rule of thumb for spacing shelves is about 12 inches apart.”
Basically, a rule of thumb is like a mental shortcut—you don’t measure precisely, you go with what usually works. The same is true with the 12 O'clock rule it is a guide that works 99% of the time and makes lane positions on roundabouts incredibly simple
OTHER THINGS NOT mentioned in the highway code
How to judge safe gaps on roundabouts
Looking for blockers on roundabouts
Open and Closed Junctions
How to gain clutch control
MSPSL
Before moving off check the left mirror and left blind spot
Joining a dual carriageway look over your right shoulder to check for traffic
MSPSGL
using the 10 and 2 position on the steering wheel for new drivers struggling with steering,
the clutch biting point,
Using your left leg in the centre of your lane a a reference point
When overtaking a vehicle wait until its headlights are in the centre mirror to pull back in
On roundabouts I can go right from the left lane
DOES THIS MEAN WE SHOULDN'T TEACH THESE THINGS???
Other things drivers do that are not in the Highway Code.....
flashing headlights to signal other drivers to go ahead at junctions
Flashing headlights to warn other drivers of speed camera vans/motorbikes
Using their horn to say hello to people they know
using hazard lights to say thank you
Speeding up at merge in turns to block other drivers
Let someone out even if you technically have priority.
Hand wave pedestrians or cyclists across the road.
It doesn't Always Work
Every rule has exceptions! - There's even a phrase in English - "That's the exception to the rule!"
Do you always stop at a red light? - What if there's a filter arrow underneath it, in the direction i want to go?
Do you always go at a green light? - What if there's a yellow box junction in front and i can't clear it?
Can I drive on the motorway hard shoulder? - What if I'm on a smart motorway and the sign says I can?
Should i give way to traffic on the right on roundabouts? - What if theirs traffic lights? What if the roundabout is give way to the left?
People who use this reason will often show one roundabout that is different and say " See it doesn't work" - We will show you a hundred in response where it does!
Where does Right Start
The DVSA in the Highway code CLEARLY says Left is left lane - Ahead is Left Lane and Right is Right Lane
So using YOUR method how do i know which lane i need when I'm approaching a roundabout i have never been on?
Using Your Method Explain Lane Position on approach to these
This is where the DVSA and other Instructors seem to be too scared to explain what lane position you would need to be in as examples for different roundabouts, they just stick to the basic left, ahead and right, OK, so for you, just answer this question or 5 or less words - where does ahead stop and right begin?