roadwise.Open study app

District of Columbia driving lesson · Highway & Roundabout Driving

Roundabouts

A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Highway & Roundabout Driving
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
31, 58

Roundabouts are circular intersections with an island in the center and one or more lanes. Traffic flows one way around the island, and entering drivers yield to everyone already there.

Roundabout

A circular intersection with an island in the center and one or more lanes. Each approach is marked with a yield sign and may have yield line markings.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

After entering, travel counterclockwise. Slow down as you approach and signal where you want to go.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Choosing your lane on entry

Choosing your lane on entry
You plan toPosition
Turn rightStay to the right as you enter
Go straight (dual-lane)Either lane
Turn leftStay to the left as you enter
Handbook p. 31 ↗

When you arrive, yield to:

  • Motorcycles, pedestrians and bicyclists
  • Any vehicles already in the roundabout
  • Any stop sign, yield sign or traffic signal controlling your entry
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Inside, stay in your lane until you're ready to exit, and use your right turn signal to show you're leaving.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Do not overtake large vehicles. Trucks and buses may swing wide on the approach or inside, and may use the full width of the roadway, including mountable aprons. Give them plenty of room.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Before changing lanes or exiting, check for vehicles continuing through beside or behind you. Expect vehicles in your blind spots and glance over your shoulder.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Yield line

A line of triangles across the roadway, used with a yield sign, showing where you must yield or stop if necessary. Often seen at roundabout entrances.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
Roundabout
A two-lane roundabout: traffic circulates counterclockwise and each entry has a yield sign

Put it into practice

You want to go left (the third exit) at a two-lane roundabout. Slow down, take the left lane, and yield to pedestrians, cyclists and circulating cars. Enter when clear, go counterclockwise, then signal right and check your shoulder before exiting.

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.

In a roundabout, which direction must drivers travel after entering?
  1. Counterclockwise
  2. Clockwise
  3. Either direction is fine
  4. Whichever direction has less traffic

Answer: Counterclockwise

After entering a DC roundabout, drivers must travel counterclockwise around the island.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
When approaching a roundabout, who must you yield to before entering?
  1. Only vehicles signaling to exit
  2. Traffic in it, pedestrians and cyclists
  3. No one; entering traffic has priority
  4. Only pedestrians, not vehicles

Answer: Traffic in it, pedestrians and cyclists

Yield to motorcycles, pedestrians and bicyclists, and to any vehicles already in the roundabout.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
If you plan to turn right at a dual-lane roundabout, which position should you take on entry?
  1. Stay to the left as you enter
  2. Take the lane with less traffic
  3. Stay to the right as you enter
  4. Use either lane equally

Answer: Stay to the right as you enter

Drivers planning to turn right should stay in the right lane as they enter the roundabout.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
What should you watch for when a large vehicle like a truck or bus is in a roundabout?
  1. It always stays perfectly within its lane
  2. It has priority to exit at any point
  3. It must stop completely before every exit
  4. It may need to swing wide to fit

Answer: It may need to swing wide to fit

Large vehicles may need to swing wide or use mountable aprons to navigate a roundabout safely.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
Each road approaching a DC roundabout is typically marked with what type of sign?
  1. A yield sign
  2. A stop sign
  3. A one-way sign
  4. A no-entry sign

Answer: A yield sign

Roundabout approaches are typically marked with a yield sign, and may have yield line pavement markings too.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
While inside a roundabout, what should you use to let other drivers know you intend to exit?
  1. Your right turn signal
  2. Your hazard lights
  3. Your horn
  4. Your high beams

Answer: Your right turn signal

Use your right turn signal inside the roundabout to signal your intent to exit to other drivers.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Highway & Roundabout Driving

All District of Columbia lessons