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, it is suggested that you be in the rightmost lane.

   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. On quiet dead-end streets with very little traffic
   3. In front of schools and shopping centers to slow traffic
   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. You are waiting to turn left, and a bicyclist is coming toward you from the opposite direction. What must you do?

   1. Turn first because cars have priority over bicycles
   2. Yield, and turn only if you can do it safely without interfering
   3. Sound the horn so the rider stops for your turn
   4. Turn quickly before the rider reaches the intersection
   Show answer

   Yield, and turn only if you can do it safely without interfering. Maine requires drivers turning left to yield to bicycle and roller ski operators coming from the opposite direction. You may not turn in front of them unless you can do it safely and without interfering with their travel. Bicycles are vehicles with the same rights as other drivers, so a car has no special priority. Riders can move faster than they look, and experienced cyclists can easily go over 30 mph, which makes racing ahead of one a poor bet. A horn used close to a bicycle can startle the rider into your path, so wait until the rider has passed.

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.