How to Drive Through a Roundabout in Ontario
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
When entering a roundabout, slow down, yield to traffic already circulating from your left, and only enter when there is a safe gap. Signal your exit and keep your speed low throughout.
Roundabouts keep traffic moving more smoothly than a standard intersection and reduce the risk of severe, high-speed collisions because everyone travels in the same direction at a lower speed. They can feel unfamiliar the first few times you use one, but the rules are consistent everywhere in Ontario.
Right-of-Way Rules
Traffic already inside the roundabout always has the right-of-way. Vehicles approaching the roundabout must yield at the yield line and wait for a safe gap before entering — there are no stop signs or traffic lights controlling the circle itself.
Step-by-Step Through a Roundabout
- Slow down as you approach and check signage for lane assignment.
- Yield to circulating traffic and pedestrians at the crosswalk.
- Enter when there is a safe gap, keeping to your lane.
- Signal right just before your exit.
- Check your blind spot before changing lanes inside a multi-lane roundabout.
Multi-Lane Roundabouts
Choose your lane before entering based on the destination shown on overhead or approach signs: generally the right lane for the first exit, and the left lane if you plan to go straight through or turn left/around. Avoid changing lanes once inside the roundabout.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stopping inside the roundabout when it is not necessary.
- Forgetting to signal your exit, which confuses drivers waiting to enter.
- Entering too fast without checking for cyclists and pedestrians.