Roadwise States Oregon Driving lessons Roundabouts Oregon driving lesson · Turns, Intersections & Roundabouts
Roundabouts A 3-minute lesson from the Oregon course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Turns, Intersections & Roundabouts
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 51, 52 Roundabouts, rotaries and traffic circles are circular intersections with a center island. Everyone travels one way — counterclockwise — so you only have to look one direction for traffic when you enter. Slow speeds make them safer than many intersections.
Roundabout A circular intersection with a center island where traffic moves in one direction, counterclockwise. A warning sign with arrows in a circle means one is ahead.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Roundabout ahead Know the rule
Watch for people riding bicycles as you approach: they'll either merge into traffic or use the sidewalk.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Know the rule
Inside the roundabout, give a bicyclist who has merged into traffic the full travel lane. Do not pass a person riding a bicycle within the roundabout.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Entering: yield, watch for pedestrians and bicycles Multi-lane roundabouts Before entering, read exit and lane-use signs and pavement markings Enter in the right lane for your exit and keep your lane position until you exit Avoid changing lanes inside the roundabout, if possible Don't overtake or pass any vehicle, especially large trucks and trailers Trucks may straddle both lanes — it's illegal to pass or drive beside a truck in the roundabout Handbook p. 52 ↗ Lane-use sign for a roundabout Emergency vehicles and roundabouts Don't enter a roundabout when emergency vehicles are approaching — pull over to the right Let other vehicles clear the intersection so emergency vehicles can move through Never stop inside the roundabout: continue to your exit Once you exit, pull over to the right shoulder and let emergency vehicles pass Handbook p. 52 ↗ Put it into practice
You're halfway around a roundabout when you hear a siren behind you. Don't stop in the circle. Continue to your exit, leave the roundabout, then pull to the right shoulder and let the emergency vehicle pass.
A useful reminder Entering: yield, wait for a gap, merge. Leaving: right signal. Inside: never pass bikes or trucks.
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 moves: Clockwise around the center island In whichever direction is shortest Counterclockwise Either direction depending on the exit Answer: Counterclockwise
Roundabout traffic always moves counterclockwise.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Before entering a roundabout, you must yield to: No one; entering traffic always has the right of way Only pedestrians, not vehicles Only vehicles signaling to exit All traffic already in the roundabout Answer: All traffic already in the roundabout
You must yield to all traffic already circulating or exiting.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ May you pass a person riding a bicycle while inside a roundabout? Yes, if there is enough room No, you should not pass Yes, if you signal first Yes, only in multi-lane roundabouts Answer: No, you should not pass
Passing cyclists inside a roundabout is not allowed.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ In a multi-lane roundabout, is it legal to pass or drive beside a large truck? Yes, if you have a full lane to yourself Yes, only in the outer lane Yes, if the truck is stopped No, it is illegal Answer: No, it is illegal
Passing or driving beside trucks in a roundabout is illegal.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If an emergency vehicle is approaching as you near a roundabout, you should: Not enter the roundabout and pull over to the right Enter and speed through as quickly as possible Stop immediately in your current lane Continue at normal speed and let the emergency vehicle go around you Answer: Not enter the roundabout and pull over to the right
Stay out of the roundabout and pull right for the emergency vehicle.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are already inside a roundabout, you should: Stop immediately, wherever you are inside the circle Continue to your exit, then pull over Pull toward the center island and stop Keep circling until it has passed Answer: Continue to your exit, then pull over
Exit the roundabout first, then pull over for the emergency vehicle.
Handbook p. 52 ↗ Previous lesson U-Turns and Intersections Next lesson Pedestrians and Crosswalks More in Turns, Intersections & Roundabouts About the source Roadwise’s Oregon course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 51, 52. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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