Vehicles | Bicycles | Brochures | Videos

Driving vehicles in a roundabout

• Slow down.
• Watch for and obey traffic signs.
• Move into the correct lane the direction you want to travel as you approach the roundabout.
• Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists as you enter and exit the roundabout.
• Yield to all lanes of traffic on your left before entering.
• Keep your speed low and stay in your lane within the roundabout (do not change lanes within the roundabout).
• Exit carefully to your destination. Use your right-turn signal, in front of the splitter island just prior to your exit, to indicate your intention to exit.

Watch for large vehicles

• 2015 Wisconsin Act 139 requires drivers at roundabouts to yield right-of-way to trucks and other large vehicles (and combinations of vehicles, such as trucks towing boats or RVs towing cars) measuring at least 40 feet long or 10 feet wide.
• Motorists are required to give space to larger vehicles when approaching and driving through roundabouts.
• The law was passed in the interest of safety, as commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and most larger vehicles have an expanded turning radius.
• Drivers are asked to remain mindful that all motorists approaching a roundabout must yield to any traffic already within a roundabout, as signed and per law.
• If two large vehicles approach a roundabout at the same time, the vehicle on the right must yield right-of-way to the vehicle on the left.

Driving bicycles in a roundabout

• If you are riding on the shoulder or bike lane, merge into the traffic lane before the shoulder ends.
• Signal your intent to move into traffic.
• Once inside the roundabout, don't hug the curb.
• Ride close to the middle of the lane to prevent cars from passing and cutting you off.
• Watch for cars waiting to enter the roundabout, as they may not see you.
• If you do not want to ride your bike in the roundabout, use the sidewalk and proceed as a pedestrian.

Brochures - Using roundabouts and safety information

• "Rules for driving roundabouts"
• Driving a roundabout, TURN BY TURN
• What to do when an EMERGENCY VEHICLE approaches a roundabout
• How to drive a multi-lane roundabout, LARGE TRUCKS (with semi trailers)
• Using a roundabout, PEDESTRIANS and BICYCLISTS

• "WisDOT - Roundabout Traffic" - February 2016 Roundabouts Safety Law. (1:47) Video transcript

• "All About Wisconsin Roundabouts" - Benefits and use of roundabouts in Wisconsin. (11:10)  Video transcript

• "WisDOT roundabout television commercial: Take it Slow" (00:30)      

• WisDOT roundabout educational video: Take it Slow. How to navigate a multi-lane roundabout" and four main safety tips (02:09)​