Roadwise States Alabama Driving lessons Driving through roundabouts Alabama driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Road Markings
Driving through roundabouts A 3-minute lesson from the Alabama course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Signs, Signals & Road Markings
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 53, 59, 60 A roundabout is a circular intersection, usually without a signal, where traffic flows counterclockwise around a central island. With fewer conflict points, traffic flows more safely and smoothly.
Roundabout A circular intersection, usually without a traffic signal, that flows counterclockwise around a central island. Enter from the right, yielding to traffic already in it.
Handbook p. 53 ↗ Roundabout warning sign Steps for driving a roundabout: Slow down and obey traffic signs Before entering, yield to pedestrians and bicyclists Yield to traffic on your left already in the roundabout Enter when there is a safe gap in traffic Keep your speed low inside As you approach your exit, turn onto the desired road, yielding to pedestrians and bicycles Handbook p. 59 ↗ Important things to remember: Vehicles already in the roundabout have the right-of-way Never turn left to enter; turn right into it when there's a safe gap Once inside, don't stop unless it's the only way to avoid a crash or other danger Missed your exit? Drive around again. Never back up in a roundabout Handbook p. 60 ↗ Emergency vehicles in a roundabout: Always yield to emergency vehicles Not yet in the roundabout? Pull over and let them pass Already in it? Continue to your exit, then pull over Avoid stopping in the roundabout Handbook p. 60 ↗ Two-lane roundabouts: Choose your lane and yield to traffic in both lanes before entering Right turns: use the right lane Left turns and U-turns: use the left lane Going straight: follow the pavement markings, arrows or signs Handbook p. 60 ↗ Know the rule
Pedestrians at the curb look left for oncoming traffic before crossing; from the crosswalk island they look right. Bicyclists may ride through the roundabout or use the crosswalk.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Truck apron A paved area inside the roundabout for the rear wheels of large trucks when turning. It is not meant for cars, pickup trucks or SUVs.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ Put it into practice
You're circling a roundabout when you hear a siren behind you. Don't stop in the circle. Continue to your exit, leave the roundabout, then pull over and let the emergency vehicle pass.
A useful reminder Yield on entry, never stop inside, never back up, and go around again if you miss your exit.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Which direction does traffic flow around a roundabout in Alabama? Clockwise in two-lane roundabouts Either direction, driver's choice Clockwise Counterclockwise Answer: Counterclockwise
Traffic in a roundabout flows counterclockwise around a central island.
Handbook p. 53 ↗ Before entering a roundabout, who must you yield to? Pedestrians, bicyclists, and traffic already in it Only vehicles waiting to enter Only traffic coming from your right Only emergency vehicles Answer: Pedestrians, bicyclists, and traffic already in it
Drivers must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists before entering, and to traffic already circulating in the roundabout.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Is it ever correct to make a left turn to enter a roundabout? Only in a single-lane roundabout No, always turn right to enter Yes, if the roundabout has two lanes Yes, if no other traffic is present Answer: No, always turn right to enter
You should never make a left turn to enter a roundabout; instead, turn right into it when there's a safe gap in traffic.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ What should you do if you miss your exit in a roundabout? Pull to the center island and wait Stop and back up to the exit Go around again to your exit Make an immediate U-turn Answer: Go around again to your exit
If you miss your exit, drive around the roundabout again to reach it; never back up in a roundabout.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ What is a “truck apron” in a roundabout designed for? A pedestrian waiting area Extra room for cars to pass An emergency vehicle lane Rear wheels of large trucks when turning Answer: Rear wheels of large trucks when turning
A truck apron is a paved area on the inside of the roundabout that lets large trucks' rear wheels track over it; it's not meant for cars.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ If you're already inside a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches, what should you do? Speed up to clear the roundabout Pull onto the truck apron Exit, then pull over Stop immediately inside the roundabout Answer: Exit, then pull over
If you've already entered the roundabout, continue to your exit and then pull over to let the emergency vehicle pass.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ Previous lesson Traffic signals and lane-use lights Next lesson Speed limits More in Signs, Signals & Road Markings About the source Roadwise’s Alabama course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 53, 59, 60. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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