Driving Tests

How to Drive a Roundabout in Texas: Who Yields and Which Lane

informational·how to guide·Published April 2, 2026

Who yields at a roundabout in Texas?

In Texas, the driver who enters a roundabout yields to traffic already in the circle. The Texas Driver Handbook gives four steps: slow down, yield, enter when there is an acceptable gap and follow the loop counterclockwise, then make a right turn to exit. In a multi-lane roundabout, choose your lane from the advance lane movement sign and do not change lanes in the circle.

Where these Texas roundabout rules come from

The steps in this guide come from the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026) of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Roundabouts use yield signs, so the yield duties come from Transportation Code 545.153 and the stop rule from Transportation Code 544.010. Transportation Code 545.059 adds the rule to drive to the right of a rotary traffic island. Each roundabout step below is handbook guidance, as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Texas Department of Public Safety (dps.texas.gov) before you drive.

What is a modern roundabout in Texas?

A modern roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection where traffic goes counterclockwise around a center island. Yield signs, not traffic lights, control the cars that enter. There are two types: single-lane and multi-lane. Road signs, pavement markings and the design of the roundabout guide you through it, so watch for them from the approach.

How to drive a single-lane roundabout in Texas

1
Slow down on the approach
Slow down as you approach the roundabout and watch for posted advisory speed signs. Look for bicyclists and pedestrians in the crosswalks on the approach.
2
Yield to traffic in the circle
Yield to traffic that is already driving in the circle, and wait at the entry while it goes by.
3
Enter at an acceptable gap
When there is an acceptable gap, enter the circle and travel counterclockwise around it.
4
Signal and turn right to exit
Use your turn signal and make a right turn to leave the circle. Look again for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk at the exit.

Who has the right of way at a Texas roundabout?

Traffic in the circle goes first, and the entering driver yields. Yield signs control each entry, and Texas law sets the duties at a yield sign: slow to a speed that is reasonable under the existing conditions, and yield to a vehicle in the intersection or one so close that it is an immediate hazard. You must stop only if safety requires. The free yield sign question shows the same slow-and-check duty in a practice question.

Which lane to use in a multi-lane roundabout in Texas

Go through the same steps as in a single-lane roundabout, then add the steps below.
As you approach, read the advance lane movement sign and use it to choose the correct entry lane.
Follow the traffic signs and the pavement markings on the approach and inside the roundabout.

Can you change lanes inside a Texas roundabout?

No. Do not change lanes while you drive in the circle. Stay in the lane that you entered until you make the right turn to exit. To practice the first step, who goes first at the entry, try the free question on entering a single-lane roundabout.

Emergency vehicles, pedestrians and large trucks at a roundabout

Emergency vehicles, pedestrians and large trucks at a roundabout
Who or what	What to do
Emergency vehicle on the approach or exit	Pull over for it. If you cannot pull over to the right, slow down and leave a clear path
Emergency vehicle while you are in the circle	Do not stop in the circle. Clear the circle first, then pull over
Pedestrians and bicyclists	Look for them in the crosswalks on the approaches and exits. At a crosswalk with no traffic sign or signal for pedestrians, give pedestrians the right-of-way
Semitrailers, buses and fire trucks	Give them space, because they need more than one lane to go around the circle

Are roundabouts safer than a four-way signal?

Yes, by the handbook's numbers. A modern roundabout has eight potential conflict points, against 32 at a traditional four-way signalized intersection, and modern roundabouts reduce severe intersection crashes by an average of 80 percent. For the stop-sign rules at another common intersection, read the guide to who goes first at a four-way stop in Texas.

Key takeaways

In Texas, the driver who enters a roundabout yields to traffic already in the circle, then enters at an acceptable gap and goes counterclockwise.
Slow down on the approach, and stop at the yield sign only if safety requires.
In a multi-lane roundabout, use the advance lane movement sign to choose your entry lane, and do not change lanes in the circle.
Do not stop for an emergency vehicle inside the circle. Clear the circle first, then pull over, and give space to large trucks and buses.
Next step: practice on the free Texas Class C learner license practice test.

Texas roundabout rules: common questions

Which way do you go around a roundabout in Texas?

Counterclockwise, to the right of the center island. Texas law says a driver moving around a rotary traffic island must drive only to the right of the island. You enter when there is an acceptable gap, follow the loop counterclockwise and leave with a right turn.

Where do I stop at a roundabout if I have to stop?

Stop at the clearly marked stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before you enter the crosswalk on the near side. If there is neither, stop at the place nearest the circle where you can see the traffic that comes toward you. You must stop only when safety requires, for example when a car in the circle is close.

Do I need to use my turn signal in a roundabout?

Yes, when you leave. Use your turn signal as you make the right turn to exit the circle, and look for pedestrians and bicyclists in the exit crosswalk. Turn the signal off once the turn is complete.

What happens if I crash after I enter a roundabout without yielding?

Texas law says that if you must yield at a yield sign, drive past it without stopping and then collide with a vehicle in the intersection, the collision is prima facie evidence that you failed to yield. Under a related rule, a driver who must yield at an intersection and then collides or interferes with traffic is presumed not to have yielded.

What are the lights in the road before some roundabouts?

They are in-roadway lights, set into the road surface. They warn you that you are coming to a condition on or near the road that you may not see, and that you may need to slow down or come to a complete stop. They are also used at midblock crossings, school crosswalks and marked crosswalks on uncontrolled approaches.