Roundabouts — California Permit Test

In a roundabout, traffic travels in one direction around a central island, and you yield to all traffic already in it.

Traffic inside the circle has nowhere to stop, so the waiting is done before you enter.

Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.

Slow down as you approach a roundabout and enter heading to the right when there is a big enough gap in traffic to merge safely.

Arriving slowly is what gives you time to read the gap instead of guessing at it.

Enter heading to the right when there is a big enough gap in traffic to merge safely.

Travel in a counterclockwise direction inside a roundabout, and do not stop or pass.

Everything in the circle is moving the same way at the same speed, and a stop breaks that.

Travel in a counterclockwise direction. Do not stop or pass.

Signal when you change lanes or exit a roundabout, and watch for signs and lane markings that guide you.

The driver waiting to enter is reading your signal to decide whether the gap is real.

Watch for signs and lane markings that guide you.

If you miss your exit in a roundabout, continue around until you return to it.

Crossing back for a missed exit cuts across traffic that has nowhere to go.

If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit.

In a multilane roundabout, choose your entry or exit lane based on your destination, and to turn right choose the right lane and exit in the right lane.

Picking the lane before you enter saves you crossing one inside the circle.

If the roundabout has multiple lanes, choose your entry or exit lane based on your destination.

To go straight through a multilane roundabout you may choose either lane, and you exit in the lane you entered.

Changing lanes inside the circle is a lane change into a blind spot on a curve.

Go straight (red car): Choose either lane. Exit in the lane you entered.

Who do you yield to at a roundabout?

All traffic already in the roundabout. Traffic inside the circle has nowhere to stop, so the waiting is done before you enter. California Driver’s Handbook, p.40: “Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.”