Driving Lessons

Cowley’s School of Motoring

Penn Inn Roundabout

Penn Inn Roundabout is a spiral roundabout with traffic lights. Traffic lights are normally added to busier roundabouts to reduce accidents.

On your next driving lesson, you will be learning about Penn Inn roundabout, the key points you will cover are;

M.S.P.S.L

Rules of spiral roundabouts

Positioning on spiral roundabouts

Signals on Penn Inn roundabout

Different routes around Penn Inn roundabout

M.S.P.S.L

We still apply the M.S.P.S.L routine on the approach to traffic light roundabouts.

Mirrors

Check your mirrors to assess if your actions will affect the vehicles behind and in other lanes, also how they may affect you. 

Signal

On a multi-lane traffic light-controlled roundabout, you need to decide whether a signal would be beneficial or confusing. We’ll discuss this more as we go through the different routes.

Position

Using the signposts and road markings we can decide which lane to use. 

Speed

You’ll need to slow down on approach so that you can stay within your lane. Also try to anticipate the traffic lights.

Look

Look ahead for signs to plan your route around the roundabout.

Look for other cars nearby that may make a mistake.

Look for traffic ahead and make sure you can cross the yellow boxes.

Look for the traffic lights changing.

Now Let’s Take a Look At Some Different Routes Around Penn Inn Roundabout

Penn Inn – Newton Abbot to Torquay

Your first job is to look for signposts to work out which direction you’re heading and which lane you will need.

Newton Abbot to Torquay has two lanes to choose from, lanes 3 and 4 on the approach.

Lane 3 would be your best choice unless it’s full then lane 4 may be a better choice.

Follow these lanes to lanes 3 and 4 past the 1st exit to the next set of lights.

As we pass the second exit we lose lane 1 and 2 towards Milber, so we move to lane 1 and 2 ready for us to exit towards Torquay.

You’ll need to be checking your mirrors at all these points for cars in other lanes.

Penn Inn – Newton Abbot to Milber

Your first job is to look for signposts to work out which direction you’re heading and which lane you will need.

For Newton Abbot to Milber you will need lane 3.

As we move into the roundabout our lane splits into lanes 2 and 3, we need to take lane 2 for Milber. Keep to the left of your lane as it splits, a left mirror check will be needed here watching cars in the next lane making a mistake.

From lane 2 we exit the roundabout; you’ll need to keep right as you exit and follow the right lane exiting and then turn right at the traffic lights.

You’ll need to be checking your mirrors at all these points for cars in other lanes.

Penn Inn – Newton Abbot to Buckland or Combeinteignhead

Your first job again is to look for signposts to work out which direction your heading and what lane you will need.

For this approach you will need lane 2.

As we move into the roundabout and past the first exit, we lose the lane to left of as they head to Exeter, we now become lane 1.

Make sure you keep left as you head to lane 1.

As we exit the roundabout initially keep left. Then our lane splits, left lane for Buckland or centre lane for Combeinteignhead.

Penn Inn – Milber to Newton Abbot Test Centre

Your first job again is to look for signposts to work out which direction your heading and what lane you will need.

For this approach we will be going ahead second exit. Normally we would use lane 1 for this, however as we are normally heading back to the test centre, we will use lane 2 as it will set us up for an easier approach to the test centre. This is good planning and should be applied to all your driving if you have prior knowledge about where you’re heading.

As we move into the roundabout and past the first exit, we will stay in lane 2.

As we exit the roundabout aim for the right of the two ahead arrows, this will then lead you lane 2 on the exit. After exiting this lane then splits, keep right if heading to the test centre keep left if heading to Newton Abbot town centre.

Penn Inn – Torquay to Newton Abbot Test Centre 

Your first job again is to look for signposts to work out which direction your heading and what lane you will need.

There are two lanes that go towards Newton Abbot, we’re going to the right of those two which will help with heading to the centre.

Coming off the dual carriageway, keep in the left lane the right lane goes to Exeter over the bridge. Your lane will then split into two, keep right at this point. This lane will split again, and you will need to aim for the centre lane.

Once we get to the roundabout we are turning left first exit. We will need to signal left as we could go straight ahead from this lane, so we need to let the other cars know.

As we turn left, we will be heading to the right lane ready to head towards to the centre. Look for the ahead arrow. 

Penn Inn – Exeter to Newton Abbot

As always start by checking for signs for which direction you’re heading and which lane you will need.

As we head down the hill we will need to keep in the right lane, this lane will then split into lanes 2 and 3. 

If you’re heading to the test centre or town centre lane 3 (green line) is the best choice, for Sainsbury’s or Totnes then lane 2 is best (red line).

Let’s focus on the green route as most times you will be taking this route. We stay in the right lane all the way around the roundabout, as we exit aim for ahead arrow on the road leading you into the right on the exit.

Penn Inn – Milber to Exeter

Look for signposts to work out which direction you’re heading and which lane you will need.

You’re going to start in the right lane, as we go past the first exit we’ll stay in the right lane.

As we turn right the temptation will be to head for the right lane and right arrow, but we need to keep left so that we end up in the left lane to exit. Head for the straight on arrow as if you were going to Newton Abbot and then as the lane splits keep right.

As we exit, we’ll keep left and off to Exeter we go.

Newton Abbot Lessons

 Torquay Lessons

Paignton Lessons

Lesson Tutorials

Would you like to book driving lessons with Cowley's School of Motoring? We offer a range of options to suit everyone's needs. Get in touch to book your driving lessons and you'll be out driving in no time.

Teignmouth Lessons

Automatic Driving Lessons

Female Instructor

Intensive Courses

Instructor Training

Standards Check Training

Cockpit Drill and Car Controls

Moving Off and Stopping

Junctions

Roundabouts

Penn Inn Roundabout

Meeting Traffic

Driving Test Tips

Reversing

Pedestrian Crossing