Which way do you go around a roundabout in Ontario?

Counter-clockwise, keeping the centre island on your left. You enter by turning right.

Who has the right-of-way in a roundabout?

Traffic already in the roundabout. Slow down as you approach, watch for pedestrians at the crosswalk, and yield to vehicles circling from your left. Enter only when there is a safe gap.

When do I signal in a roundabout?

Signal right once you have passed the exit before the one you want to take, so drivers waiting to enter know you are leaving.

What do I do if an emergency vehicle comes while I am in a roundabout?

Do not stop inside the roundabout. Keep going to your exit, leave the roundabout, and then pull over to let the emergency vehicle pass.

How to Drive Through a Roundabout in Ontario

Last updated: October 6, 2026

More and more Ontario towns are replacing intersections with roundabouts, and plenty of new drivers find them stressful at first. The rules fit in one sentence: slow down, yield to traffic already inside, go counter-clockwise and signal before you leave.

Step by step

1. Approach slowly and pick your lane

Watch for the yellow "roundabout ahead" warning sign and slow down. On a single-lane roundabout, just stay in your lane. On a multi-lane roundabout, signs and pavement arrows show which lane to use: usually the left lane to turn left or go straight, and the right lane to turn right or go straight. Pick your lane before you reach the roundabout.

2. Yield to pedestrians, then to traffic in the roundabout

Many roundabouts have a crosswalk just before the yield line, so watch for people crossing. At the yield line, remember that traffic already in the roundabout has the right-of-way. Look to your left and wait for a safe gap. You don't have to stop if the way is clear, but be ready to.

3. Go counter-clockwise

Turn right to enter and travel counter-clockwise, keeping the centre island on your left. Inside the roundabout, don't stop except to avoid a collision, don't change lanes, and don't pass anyone.

4. Signal right and exit

Once you pass the exit before yours, turn on your right signal so drivers waiting to enter know you're leaving. Watch for pedestrians at the exit crosswalk. If you miss your exit, keep going around and take it the next time. Never reverse or stop to back up.

Special situations

Emergency vehicles: don't stop inside the roundabout. Leave at your exit, then pull over to the right and let the emergency vehicle pass. If you haven't entered yet, pull over and wait.
Large trucks and buses: they may need both lanes and may drive over the raised apron around the centre island. Give them lots of room, and don't drive beside them.
Cyclists: a cyclist may ride in the middle of the lane through a roundabout. Stay behind them and don't try to pass.

Common mistakes

Entering without yielding. Traffic on your left, already in the roundabout, goes first.
Going the wrong way. Always turn right to enter and go counter-clockwise.
Not signalling the exit, or signalling left while circling, which confuses drivers waiting to enter.
Stopping inside to let someone in. It feels polite, but it's unexpected and can cause a crash.
Changing lanes inside a multi-lane roundabout.

Roundabouts on the G1 test

Expect questions about which way traffic goes, who has the right-of-way when entering, and the "roundabout ahead" warning sign. You can find that sign on our Ontario road signs page, and practise the questions in the free G1 practice test. For the full rules, read the changing directions chapter of the Official MTO Driver's Handbook.

Roundabouts replace many all-way stops, and unlike a stop sign, they let you keep moving when the way is clear.