How to count exits on a roundabout: rules, diagrams and life hacks

Crossroads with in a circular motion - one of the most controversial sections of roads in Russia. Even experienced drivers sometimes get confused about which lane to enter from, how to change lanes inside the traffic circle, and - most importantly - how to count exits correctlyso as not to miss your turn. A mistake here is fraught not only with a fine 500–1500 rubles (under Article 12.14 of the Administrative Code), but also by creating an emergency situation: according to traffic police statistics, every fifth collision on the roundabout occurs due to improper maneuvering.

In this article we will analyze current rules 2026, let's explain why the count of exits begins not from scratch, but from one, and we will show on the diagrams how to avoid typical mistakes. You will also learn what to do if there are more than five exits on the ring, how to navigate by road markings and why Entering the roundabout from the right lane can be dangerous even if you follow traffic rules.

Why does exit counting start at 1 and not 0?

Many drivers mistakenly believe that the first exit from the roundabout is “zero”, and that your maneuver must be performed on the “second” or “third” in a row. This misconception leads to motorists missing the right turn or, conversely, leaving ahead of time. In fact:

• 🔢 Traffic rules (clause 8.5 of traffic regulations) require counting exits from roundabouts per unit. This means that the first right turn after entering the roundabout is first congress.
• 📜 B GOST R 52289-2019 (technical means of traffic management) it is indicated that the numbering of exits must correspond to their physical location along the direction of travel.
• 🚦 In practice, this rule simplifies navigation: the driver does not need to “subtract one” in his mind to get his bearings.

Example: if you need to go to third congress, you must drive past the first two right turns before leaving the circle. Ignoring this rule is one of the main causes of accidents on busy roundabouts, e.g. MKAD or in the centers of large cities.

How to determine the number of exits before entering the roundabout

A common problem is that the driver does not know how many exits there are at the intersection, and gets lost already at the roundabout. Here's how to determine their number in advance:

1. Road signs. A sign is often placed before entering the roundabout 4.3 "Circular movement" with a sign 8.13 "Main Road Direction". It shows a schematic representation of all the exits.
2. Marking. Markings may be applied on the asphalt in front of the ring 1.7 (broken line with short strokes) indicating lanes and exit directions.
3. Navigator. Modern maps (Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps, 2GIS) display the circuit diagram with the numbering of exits. However, relying only on them is risky - the signal may disappear.
4. Visual inspection. When approaching the roundabout, slow down and consider the number of adjacent roads. Exits are usually spaced at regular intervals.

If there are more than five exits, it becomes more difficult to navigate. In such cases it helps method of "reference to landmarks": remember bright objects (shops, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings) near the desired exit.

Ring traffic patterns: which row to choose

The lane you choose on a roundabout depends on which exit you need to take. Here are the universal rules:

Exit number	Recommended band	Driver actions
1st Congress	Right lane	Enter the circle from the right lane, do not change lanes. Exit - immediately to the right.
2nd Congress	Any strip	Enter from any lane, but change lanes to the right before exiting.
3rd and onwards	Left lane	Enter from the left lane, keep to the inner radius of the ring until you reach the desired exit.
Directions (no exits)	Any strip	Stay in your lane without interfering with those who are moving out.

A mistake many newbies make is entering the roundabout from the right lane and then moving onto third or fourth congress. This forces them to then change lanes through traffic, which creates a dangerous situation. Traffic police inspectors Such maneuvers are often recorded as a violation of clause 8.4 of the traffic rules (“Changing lanes without advantage”).

⚠️ Attention: On multi-band rings (for example, on Garden Ring in Moscow) exits can be duplicated - that is, from one exit you can go to two different streets. In this case, follow the road signs 5.15.1 “Driving directions along lanes”.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes on the roundabout. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🚗 Taking a wrong turn. For example, a driver wants to take the third exit, but leaves the second. To avoid this, count the conventions out loud or use the finger counting method.
• 🔄 Changing lanes without a turn signal. This violation is recorded more often on the roundabout than on regular roads. Always turn it on right turn signal before the congress and left - when changing lanes to the left.
• 🛑 Stop at the roundabout. You can only brake in the middle of a roundabout to prevent an accident (Section 10.1 of the Traffic Regulations). In other cases it is a fine 2000 rubles.
• 🔁 Movement around the ring counterclockwise. In Russia, roundabout traffic is organized clockwise only. Violation - deprivation of rights for 4–6 months (Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code).

Another dangerous situation is when the driver doesn't give way for those who are already moving around the ring. According to clause 13.11(1) of the Traffic Regulations, Cars on the lap have priority, if there are no other signs or markings. Exception - rings with an established sign 2.4 "Give way" or 2.5 “Driving without stopping is prohibited” at the entrance.

What to do if you missed a meeting?

If you have taken the correct exit, don't brake suddenly and don't try to reverse it. According to clause 8.12 of the traffic rules, reversing at intersections is prohibited. Instead, make a full circle and exit on the next turn. In most cases, this is safer than doing the opposite maneuver.

Features of roundabouts in different cities

The rules for driving around the ring are the same throughout Russia, but in some cities there are nuances that are worth knowing about:

• 🏙️ Moscow: On Garden Ring and TTK exits are often duplicated and markings are blurred due to heavy traffic. Here it is better to focus on the navigator or road signs.
• 🌉 St. Petersburg: Many rings have non-standard shape (for example, on Ligovsky Prospekt). Look carefully at the markings - they may indicate exits that are not visually obvious.
• 🚗 Regions: In small towns, roundabouts are often not equipped with signs or markings. In such cases, the “right hand” rule applies - yield to those on the right.

B Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk popular rings with turbo decoupling, where conventions are organized at different levels. Here the number of exits may differ from the classic version. For example, at the junction st. Bauman - st. March 8 in Yekaterinburg, exits are numbered clockwise, but their actual number depends on the direction of travel.

Fines for violations on roundabouts

Violations of the rules for driving through the roundabout are punishable under the same articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses as at regular intersections, but there are also specific fines:

Violation	Fine (2026)	Article of the Administrative Code
Failure to give way when entering a roundabout	1000–1500 rubles	12.13 p.2
Failure to give right of way to pedestrians on an exit ramp	1500–2500 rubles	12.18
Counterclockwise movement	5000 rubles or deprivation of rights	12.15 h. 4
Changing lanes without a turn signal	500 rubles	12.14 h. 1

The most controversial point - recording violations by cameras. Many rings are equipped with complexes "AutoHurricane" or "Strelka", which record non-yielding of the road. However, often the cameras do not distinguish who exactly violated - the one entering the circle or the one who is already moving along it. In such cases, the fine can be disputed through the portal State services or the traffic police website.

⚠️ Attention: If there is a sign on the ring 4.1.1 "Move straight" before the congress, it cannot be ignored. In this case, the exit is equivalent to a turn, and you can get a fine for it. 1500 rubles.

Advice from experienced drivers and instructors

We interviewed driving school instructors and drivers with more than 10 years of experience. Here are their recommendations:

• 👨‍🏫 Driving school instructor "Driving Academy" (Moscow): “On a ring with a lot of traffic keep your distance for 2–3 seconds. This will give you time to react if someone suddenly changes lanes.”
• 🚖 Taxi driver with 15 years of experience (St. Petersburg): “If you are driving along an unfamiliar roundabout, slow down to 30–40 km/h. It’s safer than braking before an exit.”
• 👮 Former traffic police inspector (Kazan): “Many people forget that when exiting the roundabout you need yield to pedestrians. This is a common cause of collisions at crossings.”

Another useful life hack - using the "clock method":

• 🕐 12 o'clock - entering the circle.
• 🕑 3 hours - first congress.
• 🕒 6 hours - second congress.
• 🕓 9 o'clock - third congress.

This method helps to visualize exits, especially on large roundabouts.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about roundabouts

Is it possible to stop in a roundabout?

Stopping on the ring itself is prohibited (Section 12.4 of the Traffic Regulations), except in cases when it is related to preventing road accidents or compliance with the requirements of the regulator. Stopping is allowed at exits from the roundabout if there are no prohibiting signs.

What to do if there are no markings on the ring?

If there are no markings, follow the “right hand” rule:

• Give way to those already moving around the roundabout.
• Count exits clockwise, starting with the first right turn.
• When exiting, take the extreme right position.

If the roundabout is multi-lane, stay in the right lane if you are taking the 1st or 2nd exit, and in the left lane if you are taking the 3rd and beyond.

How to drive around if there are more than five exits?

On large rings (for example, on MKAD) focus on:

• Road signs with numbered exits (usually installed before the entrance).
• Kilometer posts or direction signs.
• Navigator with voice prompts.

If in doubt, pull over on the next lap - it's safer than hard braking.

Do I need to turn on my turn signal when driving around the roundabout?

The turn signal turns on in two cases:

• Right — before leaving the roundabout.
• Left - when changing lanes from the right lane to the left (for example, if you were initially driving in the right lane, but then decided to drive further).

Driving around the ring without changing lanes does not require turning on the turn signals.

Who is to blame for an accident on the roundabout if both drivers violated the rules?

In such cases, the blame is distributed proportionally. For example:

• If one driver did not give way when entering, and the second was driving along the roundabout without a turn signal, the fault may be 50/50.
• If one of the drivers was moving counterclockwise, he is found guilty 100% of the time.

To prove your innocence, use records from registrar or witness statements.