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North Dakota driving lesson · Turning, Roundabouts & Highway Driving

Roundabouts

A 2-minute lesson from the North Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Turning, Roundabouts & Highway Driving
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
27

Roundabouts are designed to cut the number and severity of crashes and keep traffic moving. Traffic flows one way around a center island. Slow down, pick your lane early, and yield to walkers, bikes and circling traffic as you enter.

Roundabout

A circular intersection where vehicles travel around a center island in a counter-clockwise direction.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
Roundabout entry (yield triangles, center island)
Multi-lane roundabout with yield signs at each entry

When approaching a roundabout:

  • Reduce your speed
  • Choose the correct lane if there is more than one
  • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists
  • Yield to circulating traffic when entering
  • Stay in your lane within the roundabout
  • Assume trucks need all available space: do not pass them
  • Clear the roundabout so emergency vehicles can pass; don't enter if one is approaching
Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

With more than one lane, use the left lane to turn left, the right lane to turn right, and any lane to go through, unless signs and pavement markings direct otherwise.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

Roundabouts are designed for all vehicle types, including trucks with trailers. The center island has an apron for the rear wheels of large trucks.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Put it into practice

You're entering a two-lane roundabout to turn left. Slow down, use the left lane, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and cars already circling, then enter at a gap. Stay in your lane until your exit.

Know the rule

If an emergency vehicle approaches while you're in the roundabout, clear the roundabout so it can pass. If you haven't entered yet, wait.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

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 which direction do vehicles travel around a roundabout's center island?
  1. Either direction, driver's choice
  2. Counter-clockwise
  3. Clockwise
  4. Clockwise on multi-lane roundabouts

Answer: Counter-clockwise

A roundabout is a circular intersection where vehicles travel around a center island in a counter-clockwise direction.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
When approaching a multi-lane roundabout, which lane should you use to turn left?
  1. The left lane
  2. The right lane
  3. Any lane is acceptable for a left turn
  4. The center lane only

Answer: The left lane

Use the left lane to turn left, the right lane to turn right, and all lanes to go through, unless directed otherwise.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
Who must you yield to when entering a roundabout?
  1. No one, entering traffic has the right of way
  2. Circulating traffic already in the roundabout
  3. Only vehicles behind you
  4. Only pedestrians, not vehicles

Answer: Circulating traffic already in the roundabout

You must yield to circulating traffic already in the roundabout when entering it.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
Why should you never try to pass a truck inside a roundabout?
  1. Trucks travel faster than cars in roundabouts
  2. Trucks may need all available space
  3. Trucks always use the first exit
  4. Trucks have the right-of-way over all traffic

Answer: Trucks may need all available space

You should always assume trucks need all available space in a roundabout and never attempt to pass them there.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What should you do when an emergency vehicle is approaching a roundabout you are in?
  1. Speed up to exit before it arrives
  2. Stop immediately inside the roundabout
  3. Continue circulating as normal
  4. Clear the roundabout and do not enter if one is approaching

Answer: Clear the roundabout and do not enter if one is approaching

Clear the roundabout to allow emergency vehicles to pass, and do not enter the roundabout if one is approaching.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What feature helps large trucks navigate a roundabout's center island?
  1. A lower speed limit for trucks
  2. Trucks are prohibited from all roundabouts
  3. A separate truck-only lane
  4. An apron for the vehicle's rear wheels

Answer: An apron for the vehicle's rear wheels

The center island includes an apron to accommodate the rear wheels of large truck and trailer combinations.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
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