Turns, traffic circles and roundabouts

Key points

1. Do not swing wide before a right turn; turn right from the rightmost part of your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-1

   “Do not swing wide to the left before a right turn. Always turn right from the rightmost portion of your lane.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-1

2. For a left turn, yield to oncoming traffic and turn from the leftmost part of your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-1

   “Yield to oncoming traffic. Always turn left from the leftmost portion of your lane.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-1

3. Traffic circles or roundabouts are sometimes built where heavily traveled roads meet.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-2

   “Traffic circles or roundabouts are sometimes built at intersections of heavily traveled streets and roads.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-2

4. Vehicles approaching a circle or roundabout must yield to vehicles already in it.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-2

   “All vehicles approaching traffic circles or roundabouts must yield the right- of-way to vehicles already in the circle or roundabout”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-2

5. Go counterclockwise, to the right around the center island.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-2

   “Enter a roundabout by proceeding to the right around the raised center island (counterclockwise).”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-2

6. If you will leave a rotary within 2 exits, the rightmost lane is suggested unless markings say otherwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-3

   “If you are going to be turning from a rotary circle within two exits, it is suggested that you should be in the right most lane”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-3

7. Yield to traffic in the circle, enter to the right, follow the lane lines and signal your exit.

   Source: Handbook p. 7-3

   “Yield to the traffic in the circle. Enter a traffic circle to the right and follow the lane lines. Signal your exit.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 7-3

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. When entering a Maine roundabout, which vehicles must an approaching driver yield to?

   1. Only vehicles behind the entering car
   2. Vehicles already in the circle or roundabout
   3. Vehicles waiting on the outside shoulder
   4. No vehicles if the entering car signals
   Show answer

   Vehicles already in the circle or roundabout. Approaching traffic must yield to vehicles already in the traffic circle or roundabout unless an officer or traffic control device directs otherwise. Signaling does not cancel that obligation, and a vehicle behind the entrant has no special priority. Look left for circulating traffic before proceeding to the right around the raised center island. The manual also calls for extreme caution when entering and leaving. A useful cue is location: the vehicle already inside the circle has priority over the vehicle waiting to enter, even when the entrant believes there is enough room to accelerate through.

2. 2. Where are Maine traffic circles or roundabouts sometimes built?

   1. At intersections of heavily traveled streets and roads
   2. Only inside parking garages
   3. Only at railroad crossings
   4. At the end of every one-way street
   Show answer

   At intersections of heavily traveled streets and roads. Traffic circles and roundabouts are sometimes built where heavily traveled streets and roads meet. Their circular design manages intersecting movements around a center island, but it does not eliminate the need to yield or follow signs and pavement markings. Slow before entering, observe vehicles already circulating, and choose the correct lane for the intended exit. The important recognition cue is the circular intersection itself, where traffic flows around the island instead of crossing straight through a conventional junction.

3. 3. When making a left turn, which traffic has priority over the turning vehicle?

   1. Only vehicles approaching from behind
   2. Oncoming traffic that is close enough to create a hazard
   3. No traffic, because the turn signal creates priority
   4. Vehicles parked along the left curb
   Show answer

   Oncoming traffic that is close enough to create a hazard. A left turn crosses the path of vehicles traveling toward you, so the turn must wait when an oncoming vehicle is near enough to create danger. Signaling communicates intent but does not grant priority or make the other driver stop. Vehicles behind you and parked cars are not the traffic described by the manual's left-turn rule. Set up from the leftmost portion of your lane, watch the approaching lane, and turn only after the gap is safely available.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 7: General Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.