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North Carolina driving lesson · Basic Driving Skills & Rules

Roundabouts & single-point interchanges

A 3-minute lesson from the North Carolina 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
Basic Driving Skills & Rules
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
30, 31

NCDOT builds roundabouts to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists and to reduce backups. Modern roundabouts are smaller than old traffic circles, and speeds of 15–20 mph make them safer.

Single-point interchange

Two intersections compressed into one over or under a free-flowing road, with through and left-turning traffic controlled by a single set of signals.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
15–20 mph

Typical travel speed in a modern roundabout

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Traffic circle and roundabout rules:

  • Travel to the right, counterclockwise, until your street
  • Exit by making a right turn
  • In a multi-lane circle, be in the outside lane before your exit
  • Look and signal before turning or changing lanes
  • Never make a right turn from an inside lane
  • The entire circle is an intersection; vehicles already in it have the right of way
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Approaching, you'll see a yellow roundabout-ahead sign: slow down. Yield to vehicles or bicyclists already inside. Signal when exiting and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Single-lane roundabout: how far to go

Single-lane roundabout: how far to go
ToGo around
Turn rightA quarter of the way
Go straightHalfway
Turn leftThree-quarters, then exit right
U-turnFull circle
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Multi-lane roundabout:

  • Choose your lane from signs and markings before entering
  • Typically, the right lane exits right
  • Use the left lane to go straight, turn left or make a U-turn
  • Do not change lanes inside the roundabout
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Tips & reminders:

  • Give trucks and buses extra room; they may straddle lanes and use the truck apron
  • Never enter while an emergency vehicle with lights and siren is passing through
  • If already inside when one comes, exit first, then pull over
  • Don't pass a bicyclist inside the roundabout
  • Pedestrians use the outer crosswalks, never the middle
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Bicyclists should pick their lane before entering a multi-lane roundabout, ride in the middle of it, and not ride along the shoulder.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Put it into practice

You want to turn left at a single-lane roundabout. Yield to cars already circling, enter to the right, go three-quarters of the way around, signal, and exit right onto your street.

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 what direction do vehicles travel inside a roundabout?
  1. Counterclockwise
  2. Clockwise
  3. Clockwise in the inner lane only
  4. It depends on the posted signs

Answer: Counterclockwise

All vehicles in a roundabout travel to the right around the circle in a counterclockwise direction.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
How do you exit a traffic circle or roundabout?
  1. By making a left turn
  2. By making a right turn
  3. By turning right from an inside lane
  4. By driving straight across the circle

Answer: By making a right turn

You leave the traffic circle or roundabout by making a right turn.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
In a single-lane roundabout, about how far around must you travel to make a U-turn?
  1. A quarter of the way around
  2. Halfway around
  3. The full circle
  4. Three-quarters of the way around

Answer: The full circle

Going full circle inside the roundabout lets you make a U-turn.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
What is a single-point interchange?
  1. A four-way stop with no signals
  2. A roundabout with two lanes
  3. A ramp controlled by a ramp meter
  4. Two intersections merged under one signal

Answer: Two intersections merged under one signal

A single-point interchange compresses two intersections into a single intersection controlled by a single set of traffic signals.

Handbook p. 30 ↗
Typical speeds inside a modern roundabout are around what range?
  1. 15-20 mph
  2. 5-10 mph
  3. 30-35 mph
  4. 40-45 mph

Answer: 15-20 mph

The modern roundabout requires vehicles to travel at lower speeds, around 15-20 mph.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
While driving in a multi-lane roundabout, what should you avoid doing?
  1. Using your turn signal when exiting
  2. Changing lanes inside it
  3. Yielding to traffic already inside
  4. Choosing your lane before entering

Answer: Changing lanes inside it

Do not change lanes while in the roundabout.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
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