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Kansas driving lesson · Right-of-Way, Turning & Parking

Roundabouts

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

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Right-of-Way, Turning & Parking
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
49, 50

A roundabout keeps traffic moving through an intersection without necessarily stopping. Everyone circles the same way, and the drivers already in the circle have priority over those entering.

Roundabout / traffic circle

A circular intersection where vehicles travel counterclockwise around a raised center island, with entering traffic yielding to circulating traffic.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
15 to 20 mph

Speed to slow to when entering a roundabout's sharp curve

Handbook p. 49 ↗
Roundabout ahead
Roundabout ahead warning sign

Using a roundabout:

  • Slow down as you approach the circle
  • Yield to any traffic already in the circle
  • Arriving at the same time as another vehicle: yield to it if it's on your right
  • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in the roundabout
  • Enter to the right, but steer to the left (counterclockwise)
  • Follow signs and pavement markings to your exit
Handbook p. 49 ↗

Know the rule

In a multi-lane roundabout, know where you're going and be in the proper lane before entering. Once inside, don't change lanes or pass other vehicles.

Handbook p. 49 ↗

Signaling in a roundabout

Signaling in a roundabout
GoingSignal
RightSignal right while approaching, until you exit
StraightNo signal approaching; signal right before your exit
LeftSignal right after going three quarters of the way
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Don't drive alongside large vehicles, such as trucks and buses, in a roundabout. A sign may warn you to keep away from them.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Roundabout traffic flow (composite)
Paths for right, straight and left, and the keep-away-from-trucks sign
Roundabout and lane diagram (composite)
U-turn path and a roundabout layout

Put it into practice

You want to turn left at a roundabout. Slow to about 15 to 20 mph, yield to circulating traffic, enter to the right and go counterclockwise. After three quarters of the way around, signal right and 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.

In a roundabout, traffic travels in which direction around the center island?
  1. In whichever direction is shortest
  2. Clockwise
  3. Either direction depending on the state
  4. Counterclockwise

Answer: Counterclockwise

Vehicles in a roundabout travel counterclockwise around the raised center island.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
When entering a roundabout, you should slow to about what speed?
  1. 30 to 35 mph
  2. 15 to 20 mph
  3. 40 to 45 mph
  4. 5 to 10 mph

Answer: 15 to 20 mph

The handbook recommends slowing to about 15 to 20 mph when negotiating the sharp curve entering a roundabout.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
In a roundabout, who has the right-of-way, entering or circulating traffic?
  1. Entering traffic always
  2. Traffic already exiting has priority over both
  3. Whichever vehicle is larger
  4. Circulating traffic already in the roundabout

Answer: Circulating traffic already in the roundabout

Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already circulating in the roundabout.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
If you intend to turn left at a roundabout, when should you signal your exit?
  1. Immediately upon entering
  2. After traveling three-quarters of the way around
  3. Signal left the whole way around
  4. Only after exiting

Answer: After traveling three-quarters of the way around

For a left turn, signal right to indicate your exit once you have traveled about three-quarters of the way around the roundabout.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Entering traffic at a roundabout must yield to vehicles already circulating inside it.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Circulating traffic has the right-of-way over vehicles attempting to enter the roundabout.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
You should change lanes and pass other vehicles freely once inside a multi-lane roundabout.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

The handbook advises choosing the correct lane before entering and not changing lanes or passing while inside the roundabout.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
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