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Missouri driving lesson · Rules of the Road

Roundabouts

A 3-minute lesson from the Missouri 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
Rules of the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
28, 29

A roundabout replaces a signal or all-way stop with a circular center island. You make a slight right turn to enter, travel counterclockwise, then exit onto another road or continue on the same one. Roundabouts cut fatal and injury crashes by lowering speeds and removing left turns across opposing traffic.

Know the rule

Roundabouts have yield signs at every entrance. Yield to traffic in the circle, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the crosswalks.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Know the rule

Roundabouts also reduce pollution and fuel use, thanks to fewer stops and hard accelerations.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Approaching a roundabout:

  • Slow down before entering
  • In multi-lane roundabouts, follow signs and pavement markings to the correct lane
  • Look left as you approach; yield to traffic in the roundabout, bicyclists and pedestrians
  • Enter at a gap in traffic and merge with the flow
  • NEVER make a left turn to enter a roundabout
Handbook p. 28 ↗

Inside the roundabout:

  • Always stay to the right of the center island
  • Vehicles in the roundabout have the right-of-way
  • Don't stop unless it's the only way to avoid a crash
  • Don't change lanes
  • Give trucks, trailers and other large vehicles room; they may use more than one lane
  • Don't pass any vehicle, especially large trucks
  • Missed your exit? Keep going around until you reach it
Handbook p. 29 ↗

Exiting:

  • Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing
  • Keep a slow speed so you don't lose control or strike traffic islands
  • Use your right turn signal
  • Don't accelerate until you're past the pedestrian crossing at the exit
Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Don't enter a roundabout if an emergency vehicle is approaching. If you're already inside, exit immediately and pull to the right. Never stop inside the roundabout.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Truck apron

The paved area on the inside of a roundabout used by the rear wheels of large trucks when turning. Cars, SUVs and pickup trucks must not use it.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
Single-lane and multi-lane roundabout diagrams
Single-lane and multi-lane roundabouts

Put it into practice

You're in a roundabout and miss your exit. Don't stop or back up. Keep circling to the right of the island until you come back to your exit, then signal right and leave.

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 do you travel around the center island of a roundabout?
  1. Clockwise
  2. The direction of your exit
  3. Counterclockwise
  4. Clockwise on multi-lane roundabouts

Answer: Counterclockwise

Drivers make a slight right turn to go counterclockwise around the circular center island.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
What should you NEVER do while driving through a roundabout, unless it's the only way to avoid a crash?
  1. Signal before exiting
  2. Stay to the right of the center island
  3. Yield to pedestrians
  4. Stop within the roundabout

Answer: Stop within the roundabout

You should not stop within a roundabout unless it is the only way to avoid a crash.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
What should you do if you miss your exit in a roundabout?
  1. Keep circling until you reach your exit
  2. Stop and back up to the exit
  3. Make an immediate U-turn
  4. Change lanes and cut across to it

Answer: Keep circling until you reach your exit

If you miss your exit, continue through the roundabout until you reach your appropriate exit.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
What is a 'truck apron' in a roundabout?
  1. A lane for trucks to pass cars
  2. Paved area for large trucks' rear wheels
  3. A parking area for trucks near the roundabout
  4. A shoulder for disabled trucks to stop on

Answer: Paved area for large trucks' rear wheels

A truck apron is the paved area on the inside of the roundabout used by the rear wheels of large trucks when turning; it should not be used by cars.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are already inside a roundabout, what should you do?
  1. Stop immediately where you are
  2. Reverse out of the roundabout
  3. Exit immediately and pull to the right
  4. Speed up to clear the circle before it arrives

Answer: Exit immediately and pull to the right

If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are in the roundabout, exit immediately and pull to the right.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
Once inside a roundabout, it is safe to change lanes to prepare for your exit at any point.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

You should not change lanes within a roundabout.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
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