B.C. Roundabout Rules: Who Yields, Which Lane, How to Exit
How do you use a roundabout in B.C.?
In British Columbia, slow down and choose your lane before you enter: in a multi-lane roundabout, the left lane to turn left, the right lane to turn right, and either lane to go straight. Yield to pedestrians at the entry crosswalk and to traffic already in the roundabout. Go counter-clockwise, stay in your lane, signal right before you exit, and be ready to yield at the exit crosswalk.
Where these roundabout rules come from
The steps in this guide come from ICBC's driver guide, Learn to Drive Smart chapter 4, Rules of the road. The pedestrian, cyclist and large-vehicle advice comes from chapter 6, Sharing the road of the same guide, as of 2026. Confirm the rules with ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) at icbc.com.
How to enter, drive through and exit a roundabout in B.C.
- 1Slow down and choose your lane
Slow down. Decide where you want to go, and get into the correct lane before the entry.
- 2Yield to pedestrians at the entry
Look at the crosswalk before the entry. Yield to a pedestrian who is crossing or about to cross.
- 3Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Let every vehicle that is already in the roundabout go first, including a large truck. Then enter.
- 4Drive counter-clockwise in your lane
Drive counter-clockwise. Stay in the lane that you entered from.
- 5Signal right and exit
Signal right before your exit. Watch the crosswalk at the exit, and be ready to yield to a pedestrian.
Which lane to use in a multi-lane roundabout
Lane signs, markings and lane changes in a multi-lane roundabout
Some roundabouts have more than one lane. Lane use signs and markings may be displayed at the approaches to show where you can go in each lane, so read them before you reach the entry. Do not change lanes inside a roundabout. The practice questions on choosing your lane and not changing lanes test both rules.
Traffic circle or roundabout: what is different in B.C.?
| Topic | Traffic circle | Roundabout |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is and how big | Mostly in residential neighbourhoods | Usually larger than a traffic circle |
| Signs | Obey any posted Yield or Stop sign | Lane use signs and markings may be displayed at the approaches |
| How you turn | Turn right to enter and right again to leave. Go counter-clockwise | Go counter-clockwise. From the left lane, go straight or turn left. From the right lane, go straight or turn right. |
Who goes first at a traffic circle when two cars arrive together?
At a traffic circle, yield to any traffic already in it. If another vehicle arrives at the same time as you, yield to the vehicle on your right. Treat a traffic circle with no Yield or Stop sign as an uncontrolled intersection: an intersection with no signs or traffic lights. The rules for stop signs and uncontrolled intersections are in the guide to four-way stop right of way in B.C..
Pedestrians at a roundabout
Watch two crosswalks at a roundabout: the one before the entry, where you yield to a pedestrian who is crossing or about to cross, and the one where you exit, where you should be ready to yield. You must also yield in a marked crosswalk when a pedestrian is close to your half of the road. The driver must always avoid hitting a pedestrian. The practice question on yielding to pedestrians covers entry and exit.
Cyclists at a roundabout
- A cyclist has the same rights and duties on the road as a driver, so yield to a cyclist as you would to a car.
- A cyclist may move out toward the middle of the lane for safety, for example when the lane is narrow or has glass or a pothole on the right.
Trucks, buses and emergency vehicles at a roundabout
- Do not ride alongside a large vehicle such as a truck or a bus in a roundabout. It may need more than its own lane to get through.
- Large vehicles have large blind spots behind and beside them. Keep out of those blind spots, or the driver will not see you.
- Emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens always have the right of way. Do not block the roundabout: stop for the emergency vehicle before you enter, or exit and then stop to let it pass.
Key takeaways
- Yield to traffic already in a roundabout, go counter-clockwise and do not change lanes.
- Choose your lane before you enter: left lane to turn left, right lane to turn right, either lane to go straight.
- Yield to pedestrians at the entry crosswalk, be ready to yield at the exit crosswalk, and signal right before you exit.
- Keep clear of trucks and buses in a roundabout, and stop for emergency vehicles without blocking the roundabout.
- Next step: practise the roundabout questions on the free British Columbia Class 7 practice test.
B.C. roundabout rules: common questions
Who has the right of way in a roundabout in B.C.?
You must yield to traffic that is already in the roundabout before you enter. Yield also to pedestrians who may be crossing in the crosswalk before the entry. An emergency vehicle with flashing lights and sirens always has the right of way.
Do you signal in a roundabout?
Yes. Signal right before you exit the roundabout. In general, you signal when you prepare to turn left or right, change lanes, park, or move toward or away from the side of the road.
Can you change lanes in a roundabout in B.C.?
No. Do not change lanes in a roundabout. Choose your lane before you enter: the left lane to turn left, the right lane to turn right, or either lane to go straight. If you entered in the left lane, stay in it. From that lane you may go straight or turn left.
Do pedestrians have the right of way at a roundabout crosswalk?
Yes. A pedestrian who is crossing or about to cross at the entry crosswalk goes first, so yield before you enter. At your exit, a pedestrian may be in that crosswalk too, so be ready to yield there. The driver must always avoid hitting a pedestrian.
Can you drive beside a truck in a roundabout?
No. Keep out of the space beside a truck or a bus in a roundabout, because it may need more than its own lane. Large vehicles also have large blind spots behind and beside them. Stay out of those blind spots, or the driver cannot see you.
What do you do if an emergency vehicle comes while you are at a roundabout?
Emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens always have the right of way. If you are not in the roundabout yet, stop before the entry. If you are already in it, leave by your exit and then stop. Do not stop inside the roundabout, because that blocks it.
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