Roundabouts, lane use and parking

Key points

1. Vehicles travel counterclockwise around a roundabout, and entering traffic yields to circulating traffic.

   Source: Section 5

   “Vehicles travel counterclockwise around a raised center island, with entering traffic yielding the right-of-way to circulating traffic.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

2. You cannot change lanes once you are in the roundabout. Once inside, keep moving and do not stop.

   Source: Section 5

   “Once you have entered the roundabout, keep moving. Do not stop or change lanes.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

3. Use the 1st exit to turn right, the 2nd to go straight, the 3rd to turn left and the 4th to make a U-turn.

   Source: Section 5

   “Use the 1st exit to turn right. Use the 2nd exit to go straight. Use the 3rd exit to turn left. Use the 4th exit to make a U-turn.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

4. On a road with four or more lanes, drive in the right lane and use the lane just right of center to pass and turn left.

   Source: Section 5

   “When driving on a road with four or more lanes, drive in the right lane. Use the lane just right of center to pass and make left turns.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

5. Park facing traffic, parallel to and no more than 12 inches from the right curb.

   Source: Section 5

   “Vehicles must be parked facing the direction of traffic on that side of the street, parallel to and not more than 12 inches from the right curb.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

6. Do not park within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk.

   Source: Section 5

   “In or within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk;”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

7. Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant or within one foot of another parked vehicle.

   Source: Section 5

   “Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant; Within one foot of another parked vehicle;”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

8. On a hill, turn the front wheels toward the curb side, shift to park, set the parking brake and turn off the engine.

   Source: Section 5

   “turn the front wheels toward the curb-side of the road to stabilize the vehicle, shift from “DRIVE” gear to “PARK” gear, set the parking brake, and turn the engine off.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Ohio practice test

1. 1. In which direction must vehicles travel after entering an Ohio roundabout?

   1. Straight across the center island
   2. Clockwise around the center island
   3. Either direction based on the exit
   4. Counterclockwise around the center island
   Show answer

   Counterclockwise around the center island. Vehicles enter and circulate counterclockwise around a roundabout's raised center island. Clockwise travel moves against the manual's traffic pattern, and neither the selected exit nor the island permits a straight crossing. The direction stays the same for every exit. A helpful visual cue is to picture traffic flowing around the island with the island kept to the driver's left while circulating.

2. 2. What should a driver do with lane position after entering an Ohio roundabout?

   1. Do not change lanes once inside
   2. Change lanes only at the center island
   3. Change lanes before every exit
   4. Stop and wait before changing lanes
   Show answer

   Do not change lanes once inside. The manual says a driver cannot change lanes once inside the roundabout. The safest preparation is choosing the appropriate lane before entry and then following the circulating path to the exit. Changing at every exit or at the center island ignores the restriction, while stopping to change creates a separate hazard. The cue is simple: lane choice before entry, steady movement inside.

3. 3. How far before a turn must an Ohio driver activate a turn signal?

   1. At least 25 feet before the turn
   2. At least 100 feet before changing direction
   3. Only after beginning the turn
   4. At least 500 feet before every lane change
   Show answer

   At least 100 feet before changing direction. Ohio requires a turn signal at least 100 feet before changing direction. Signaling after the vehicle has started turning gives other road users too little time to react, while 25 feet is shorter than the stated distance. The manual does not require 500 feet for every lane change. Use the 100 foot cue for turns and other direction changes, then keep checking traffic and cancel the signal after the maneuver so it does not confuse following drivers.

Source: the Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 5: Learning to Drive. 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.