Driving Tests

Alaska Roundabout Rules: How to Enter, Yield and Exit

informational·how to guide·Published March 31, 2026

How do you drive through a roundabout in Alaska?

Slow down, enter to the right of the center island and yield to any traffic already in the circle. Vehicles travel counterclockwise. Most roundabouts are designed for speeds of about 15 to 20 mph. Once inside, do not stop, and follow the signs or pavement markings for your lane. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists as you exit. If you miss your exit, continue around.

Where the Alaska roundabout rules come from

The steps come from the Intersections section of the Alaska Driver Manual (revised 10/2025). The right-of-way, lane-change, passing and pedestrian rules come from the Alaska Administrative Code, 13 AAC 02 (sections 02.055 and 02.120 to 02.155). The point value comes from the Alaska DMV driver's license point list. The test details come from the DMV practice knowledge test page, the DMV road test page and the manual. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.alaska.gov) before you drive.

How to enter, drive through and exit an Alaska roundabout

1
Slow down and pick your lane
Slow down as you approach the circle. Most roundabouts are designed for speeds of about 15 to 20 mph. If your direction has more than one lane, know where you want to go and be in the proper lane before you enter.
2
Yield to traffic in the circle
Alaska law says a driver who enters a roundabout must yield to a vehicle on the circulating roadway. Wait at the entrance for a gap in that traffic.
3
Enter to the right of the center island
Always enter to the right of the center island. Vehicles travel counterclockwise around the island.
4
Keep moving and follow the lane signs
Once inside, do not stop. Follow the signs or pavement markings that tell you which lane to use.
5
Exit when it is safe
You may exit at any street. If you miss your exit, continue around the circle. As you exit, yield to all pedestrians and bicyclists in the roundabout and those who cross at the marked crosswalk.

Who has the right of way in a roundabout?

Traffic already in the circle has it. A driver who enters must yield to a vehicle on the circulating roadway (13 AAC 02.120(d)).
Inside the circle, a vehicle in front of another vehicle has the right of way over the vehicles that follow it. "In front" means that its front bumper is ahead of the front bumper of the other vehicle (13 AAC 02.120(e) and (g)).
For two vehicles that arrive at the entrance at the same time, the Driver Manual adds a tip: yield to the vehicle if it is on your right. A free practice question covers entering a roundabout.

What to do in common roundabout situations

You miss your exit

Do not stop. Continue around the circle. You may exit at any street.

A vehicle is beside you or ahead of you in the circle

Do not pass it on the right. Passing on the right in a roundabout is against the law (13 AAC 02.055(c)).

You want to change lanes or leave the circle

Wait until you can make the movement safely (13 AAC 02.120(f)). A free practice question covers the rule: changing lanes in a roundabout.

Who yields where: roundabout, stop sign, yield sign and left turn

Who yields where: roundabout, stop sign, yield sign and left turn
Situation	What Alaska requires	Rule
Entering a roundabout	Yield to a vehicle on the circulating roadway.	13 AAC 02.120(d)
Stop sign	Stop, then yield to a vehicle in the intersection or on another roadway so close that it is an immediate hazard.	13 AAC 02.130(b)
Yield sign	Slow to a speed reasonable for the conditions and, if required for safety, stop. Then yield as at a stop sign.	13 AAC 02.130(c)
Left turn	Yield to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction that is in the intersection or so close that it is an immediate hazard.	13 AAC 02.125
Uncontrolled intersection, two vehicles from different roadways at about the same time	The driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.	13 AAC 02.120(a)

The right-of-way rule at an intersection with no sign or light

An uncontrolled intersection has no stop sign, yield sign or traffic light. When two vehicles from different roadways arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
If you come from the right, do not assume the right of way. You have it only when the other driver gives it to you, and only if no other vehicle is already in the intersection. You must still slow down and keep your vehicle under control.
A non-motorized user has the right of way over motorized vehicles at an uncontrolled intersection.

Pedestrians and bicyclists at a roundabout

As you exit, yield to every pedestrian and bicyclist in the roundabout and at the marked crosswalk.
A pedestrian may not enter or stay on the center island of a roundabout or on the roadway that circles it (13 AAC 02.150(c)).
When a vehicle stops at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross, a driver who comes from behind may not pass the stopped vehicle (13 AAC 02.155(c)).
Check your blind spots for bicyclists before you turn, and be alert and courteous to all bicyclists.

Will roundabouts come up on the Alaska knowledge test or road test?

Roundabouts are in the Alaska Driver Manual, and the knowledge test covers only information in the manual, including traffic laws. The DMV General Knowledge Test has 20 questions, and you need 16 correct answers to pass. The Alaska knowledge test guide covers the format and the retake rule.
The DMV road test grades "intersection observance". It is made of normal driving tasks, and the examiner will not ask you to break the law. The Alaska road test guide lists what to bring and what the examiner grades.

Key takeaways

Enter to the right of the center island, drive counterclockwise and yield to traffic in the circle.
Do not stop once you are inside. Follow the lane signs or markings, and continue around if you miss your exit.
Do not pass on the right, and do not change lanes or exit until you can do it safely.
Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in the roundabout and at the marked crosswalk as you exit.
At an intersection with no sign or light, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Next step: practice these rules on the free Alaska Class D permit practice test. It is in English only.

Alaska roundabout rules: common questions

Can I stop inside a roundabout in Alaska?

No. Once you are inside, do not stop. Slow down as you approach, yield to traffic already in the circle at the entrance, and enter when there is a gap. Inside the circle, keep moving and follow the signs or pavement markings for your lane.

Who goes first if two cars reach a roundabout at the same time?

Yield to the vehicle if it is on your right; the Driver Manual gives this tip for two vehicles that arrive at the same time. Both of you yield to traffic already in the circle. Once vehicles are inside, the vehicle in front has the right of way: its front bumper is ahead of the other vehicle's front bumper.

Can I pass another car on the right in an Alaska roundabout?

No. Under 13 AAC 02.055(c), a driver in a roundabout may not overtake and pass another vehicle on the right. You also may not change lanes or exit until you can do it safely, so pick your lane before you enter when there is more than one lane.

Can pedestrians walk across the middle of an Alaska roundabout?

No. A pedestrian may not enter or stay on the center island of a roundabout or on the roadway that circles it. When you drive out of the circle, yield to every pedestrian and bicyclist in the roundabout and at the marked crosswalk.

How many points do I get for not yielding in Alaska?

The DMV point list gives 4 points for a conviction for "failure to stop or yield". Points go on your Alaska record after a conviction or a forfeited bail. At 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months, your driving privilege must be suspended or revoked. A provisional license holder must take a driver improvement course at 6 points in 12 months or 9 in 24 months.