Free driving lesson tutorial

Penn Inn roundabout

Newton Abbot's famous spiral roundabout with traffic lights, explained route by route — a Cowley's speciality.

Penn Inn is a spiral roundabout with traffic lights — lights are normally added to busier roundabouts to reduce accidents. It sits on almost every Newton Abbot test route, so it's worth knowing inside out. If you haven't already, read our general roundabouts tutorial first.

Aerial view of Penn Inn roundabout, Newton Abbot

M.S.P.S.L at Penn Inn

Mirrors

Check how your actions affect vehicles behind and in other lanes — and how they may affect you.

Signal

On a multi-lane, traffic-light roundabout, decide whether a signal would help or confuse — it changes route by route, as you'll see below.

Position

Use the signposts and road markings to choose your lane early.

Speed & Look

Slow down so you can stay in lane, and anticipate the lights. Look ahead for signs to plan your route, for drivers nearby who may make a mistake, for the yellow boxes you must be able to clear, and for the lights changing.

Route by route

Newton Abbot → Torquay

Look for the signposts to work out your direction and lane. Newton Abbot to Torquay gives you two lanes to choose from — lanes 3 and 4 on approach. Lane 3 is your best choice unless it’s full, in which case lane 4 may be better. Follow these lanes past the first exit to the next set of lights. As you pass the second exit you lose lanes 1 and 2 towards Milber, so move into lanes 1 and 2 ready to exit towards Torquay. Check your mirrors at every one of these points for cars in other lanes.

Newton Abbot → Milber

You’ll need lane 3 on approach. As you enter the roundabout your lane splits into lanes 2 and 3 — take lane 2 for Milber. Keep to the left of your lane as it splits, with a left mirror check for cars in the next lane making a mistake. From lane 2, exit the roundabout keeping right, follow the right lane off, then turn right at the traffic lights.

Newton Abbot → Buckland or Combeinteignhead

You’ll need lane 2 on approach. As you enter the roundabout and pass the first exit, the lane to your left peels off towards Exeter — you now become lane 1. Keep left as this happens. As you exit, initially keep left; your lane then splits — left lane for Buckland, centre lane for Combeinteignhead.

Milber → Newton Abbot test centre

You’re going ahead, second exit. Normally you’d use lane 1, but heading for the test centre lane 2 sets you up for an easier approach — that’s good planning, and it applies to all your driving when you know where you’re heading. Stay in lane 2 past the first exit. On exit, aim for the right of the two ahead arrows, leading you into lane 2. That lane then splits: keep right for the test centre, left for Newton Abbot town centre.

Torquay → Newton Abbot test centre

Two lanes head towards Newton Abbot — take the right of the two to set up for the test centre. Coming off the dual carriageway, keep in the left lane (the right lane goes to Exeter over the bridge). Your lane splits — keep right — then splits again: aim for the centre lane. At the roundabout you’re turning left, first exit. Signal left, because this lane could also go straight ahead and other drivers need to know. As you turn left, head for the right lane, looking for the ahead arrow, ready to head towards the centre.

Exeter → Newton Abbot

Heading down the hill, keep in the right lane, which splits into lanes 2 and 3. For the test centre or town centre, lane 3 is best; for Sainsbury’s or Totnes, lane 2. On the usual route (lane 3), stay in the right lane all the way around, and as you exit aim for the ahead arrow on the road, leading you into the right lane on the exit.

Milber → Exeter

Start in the right lane and stay in it past the first exit. As you turn right, the temptation is to head for the right lane and the right arrow — but keep left, so you end up in the left lane to exit. Head for the straight-on arrow as if going to Newton Abbot, then keep right as the lane splits. As you exit, keep left — and off to Exeter you go.