Few aspects of driving in Spain seem to generate quite as much confusion or frustration as the roundabout.

The Policia Nacional has once again issued a timely reminder to motorists about how they should actually navigate one, sharing an explanatory graphic showing some of the most common mistakes.

‘Surely you know someone who still has doubts when they reach a roundabout,’ the force joked in a social media post.

Its basic message was that one should enter with caution, give priority to vehicles already on the roundabout and indicate when you are leaving.

But the rules surrounding multi-lane roundabouts can be a little more complicated, particularly when it comes to deciding which lane to use.

The guidance is also consistent with the traffic authority (DGT), which says motorists should remember the three distinct stages of entering the roundabout, driving around it and exiting it.

Who has priority?

The first rule to be aware of is that traffic already circulating on the roundabout has priority over vehicles attempting to enter it.

This is an exception to Spain’s general rule of giving priority to vehicles approaching from the right at an intersection.

Drivers approaching a roundabout should therefore slow down, look to their left and wait until they can safely enter.

The DGT says motorists should generally enter from the right-hand lane whenever it is free and possible to do so.

Do I always have to stay in the outside lane?

Much of the confusion surrounds the use of the outside lane.

The outside lane should generally be used when it is free, particularly when taking one of the first exits.

However, that does not mean motorists are forbidden from using the inside lanes.

On urban roundabouts with marked lanes, drivers can use the lane that is most appropriate for their destination.

If taking a later exit or making a U-turn on a busy roundabout, for example, using an inside lane may make more sense.

The crucial point is what happens before you leave.

A driver using an inside lane should progressively move across to the outside lane before reaching their exit, indicating each lane change and giving way to vehicles already occupying the lane they want to enter.

Can I cut across from the inside lane to my exit?

As a general rule, one should not cut across from the inside lane to their exit.

This is one of the mistakes highlighted in the graphic shared by the Policia Nacional.

A motorist cannot simply sweep across the outside lane from an interior lane because they have reached their desired exit.

The vehicle already travelling in the outside lane has priority within that lane.

The DGT says drivers must normally leave a roundabout from the outside right-hand lane.

The exception is where road markings or other signs specifically permit an exit from an interior lane.

So if you are approaching your exit from the inside lane and another vehicle prevents you from safely moving over, do not cut across them.

Instead, the official advice is to simply go around the roundabout again and position yourself correctly for your next attempt.

When should you indicate?

Drivers should use their right indicator when preparing to leave the roundabout.

Indicators should also be used whenever changing lanes while circulating around it.

Simply putting on an indicator does not give a driver priority to change lane. The motorist must first ensure that the manoeuvre can be completed safely and respect the priority of vehicles already occupying that lane.

The Policia Nacional summed up its advice by saying: ‘Correct driving makes the roads safer for everyone.’