Photo: Arjun Gheewala, Pexels
To drive through a Massachusetts rotary, yield to traffic already in the rotary and to pedestrians, then travel counter-clockwise and signal right before your exit. Never stop inside the rotary. The RMV Driver’s Manual says rotaries are much more common in Massachusetts than in other parts of the country, so you will meet them in practice, on the permit exam and possibly on your road test. Below are the manual’s rules, including which lane to use.
Rotary basics
- A rotary joins roads from several directions around a central island. You do not stop at a STOP sign or signal inside it.
- There are yield signs at each entrance.
- Traffic always travels counter-clockwise.
- Big rotaries are designed for traffic at up to 40 mph, so gaps close fast.
Who has the right of way in a Massachusetts rotary?
Vehicles already in the rotary. You yield to them, and to pedestrians, when you enter, unless signs or a police officer tell you otherwise. Pulling in and causing a crash can cost you: If you pull in and hit someone, note that “collision whileldquo;collision while merging onto a highway or into a rotary” is one of the Massachusetts standards of fault, so a crash like this can count as an at-fault surchargeable event. See SDIP surcharges explained.
Step by step: a single-lane rotary
- Slow down and read the signs as you approach.
- Get in the right lane of the road you are on.
- Yield to vehicles already circulating and to people in the crosswalk.
- Enter when there is a safe gap and travel counter-clockwise.
- Signal right once you are ready to exit.
- Exit into the right lane of the road you want.
Which lane to use in a multi-lane rotary
Follow lane signs first. If there are none, the manual says:
| Where you are going | Enter from | Travel in | Exit onto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter-turn (first right) or straight ahead | Right lane | Stay in the right lane | Right lane |
| Three-quarter turn or U-turn | Left lane | Middle or inner lane | Right lane |
| Any exit, coming from a single-lane road | Right lane | Right lane for the whole turn | Right lane |
In a multi-lane rotary there can be traffic on both sides of you. Check mirrors and blind spots, and do not leave your lane until it is safe.
Missed your exit?
Do not stop and do not cut across. Check the traffic around you and, when it is safe, go around again. Then position your car to exit properly.
Signals in a rotary
Use your turn signals as you would at any other intersection, and always use your right signal before you exit. Signaling tells drivers waiting to enter that you are leaving, so they can go.
Rotary or roundabout: what is the difference?
| Rotary | Roundabout | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large, with a big central island | Much smaller, smaller central island |
| Speed | Big rotaries designed for up to 40 mph | 25 mph or less |
| Markings | Yield signs at entrances | Most have yield lines on the pavement and crosswalks |
| Lane rules | As above | Same rules as a rotary; check signs for your lane on approach |
The slow speeds in roundabouts make them safer for bicyclists. Give cyclists room. For roundabouts in other states, see how to drive a roundabout in the US.
Common mistakes
- Stopping inside the rotary to let someone in.
- Entering from the left lane to go right, then cutting across traffic.
- Forgetting the right signal before the exit.
- Watching cars and missing pedestrians at the crosswalk.
- Waving another driver in. The manual warns that “courtesy” waves cause crashes.
Common questions
Do you yield to traffic on the left when entering a rotary?
You yield to all traffic already in the rotary. Because traffic goes counter-clockwise, it reaches you from the left.
Can I change lanes inside a rotary?
Only when it is safe. The manual warns there may be traffic on both sides of you.
Is it legal to go around a rotary twice?
Yes. The manual tells you to go around again if you miss your exit.
What lane do I use to make a U-turn at a rotary?
Enter from the left lane, travel in the middle or inner lane, and exit onto the right lane, unless signs say otherwise.
Are rotaries on the Massachusetts permit test?
The exam covers rules of the road from the manual, and rotary rules are part of its right-of-way section. Learn them. See the Massachusetts permit test guide.
Related guides
- Learning to drive in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts road test and sponsor rules
- Pedestrians and crosswalks in the US
Sources
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, “Massachusetts Driver’s Manual (Class D), revised April 2026” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, “Surchargeable incidents” (mass.gov)