Road rules · Every driver

Entering a Roundabout

A roundabout runs on one rule: traffic circulating inside it has the right of way, and entering drivers yield at the line. Approach slowly, look left at what is already circulating, and enter into a real gap without stopping if one is open, or wait at the yield line if not.

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Top-down single-lane roundabout where a red car waits at the south yield line while a navy car travels counterclockwise inside
The rule

How this situation is handled

Inside, movement is counterclockwise around the island, no stopping, no passing, signaling right as you approach your exit. Multi-lane roundabouts add lane choice before entry, marked by signs and arrows, and the same discipline: stay in your lane around and out.

The mistake it catches

The tested mistake is yielding the wrong way, stopping inside the circle for entering traffic, or entering against a circulating car on faith. The circle has priority; the entry has the yield line.

On the test

Where this scenario is tested

This situation appears in 6 questions across 6 of our state banks, on Driver License practice tests. Start with your state:

Try it

A real practice question about this rule

Sample 1 · Right Of Way Turning Roundabouts And Parking

As you approach a roundabout with a car already circulating from your left, what should you do?

Top-down single-lane roundabout where a red car waits at the south yield line while a navy car travels counterclockwise inside
  1. Stop inside the circulating lane
  2. Drive left around the center island
  3. Yield to the circulating car and enter only when a safe gap existsCorrect
  4. Enter first because approaching traffic has priority

Why: At a roundabout, entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating; drivers also yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks while entering or leaving. Therefore, the supported response is "Yield to the circulating car and enter only when a safe gap exists".

Every practice test explains its answers this way. Pick your state and take one free; no sign-up.

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Questions

Questions about entering a roundabout

Who has the right of way at a roundabout?

Traffic already circulating. Entering drivers yield at the line and join a gap; drivers inside the circle never stop to let someone in.

Which way do I look when entering?

Left, at the traffic coming around the island toward your entry. In the illustrated scenario the circulating car crosses your entry exactly because movement is counterclockwise.

Do I stop at every roundabout entry?

No, it is a yield, not a stop: slow, assess, and enter a gap without stopping when one is open. Stop only when yielding requires it.

How do I leave a roundabout?

Signal right as you approach your exit and leave in your lane. In multi-lane roundabouts, exit lane choice was made before you entered, from the signs and pavement arrows.

How do roundabout questions appear on the permit test?

As yield-direction questions and diagrammed scenarios like ours. States have added them steadily as roundabouts replaced signals, so newer manuals test them more.