Roundabouts — Illinois Permit Test

A rotary or roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a circular, counter-clockwise direction.

Knowing which way the traffic runs tells you which way to look. Counter-clockwise means everything reaching you comes from the left.

A rotary or roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a circular, counter-clockwise direction.

A vehicle entering or exiting a roundabout must yield to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles.

The traffic already going round has nowhere to stop. Yielding on entry is what keeps the circle moving at all.

Vehicles entering or exiting a roundabout must yield to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles.

A driver enters a roundabout by turning right when it is safe, stays in their lane, and uses the right turn signal to show they are leaving.

Every movement in a roundabout is a right turn, including the exit. Signaling out is what tells the car waiting to enter that the gap is real.

Use your vehicle’s right turn signal to let other drivers know you are exiting the roundabout.

A driver should not change lanes or take an exit in a roundabout before checking for vehicles continuing through it, and should expect vehicles in blind spots.

A car continuing round is beside you and out of the mirror. Cutting across to an exit is how the two meet.

Do not change lanes or take an exit before checking for vehicles that may be continuing through the roundabout. Expect vehicles to be in blind spots that cannot be seen in rearview or side mirrors.

In which direction does traffic move around an Illinois roundabout?

Counter-clockwise. Knowing which way the traffic runs tells you which way to look. Counter-clockwise means everything reaching you comes from the left. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.32: “A rotary or roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a circular, counter-clockwise direction.”