RoundaboutItaly

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Italy. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


18. Roundabout

A roundabout is a circular road arrangement in which traffic travels around a central island in one designated direction. Vehicles enter and leave through connecting roads, and traffic signs or local rules determine who has priority.

Drivers should reduce speed, choose a suitable lane, observe all road users and signal as required when leaving. The direction of travel, entry priority, lane use and rules for cyclists and pedestrians depend on local traffic signs and regulations.

Bilingual direction signs announcing a roundabout. (Bruneck, South Tyrol, Italy)
Wikimedia.org • Mateus2019 • CC BY-SA
Who has priority at a roundabout in Italy?

At an Italian rotatoria, a give-way sign at entry makes entering traffic yield to circulating vehicles. Without a different priority indication, the ordinary priority-from-the-right rule applies and can favour vehicles entering the circle.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38, 40–41, 143, 145, 154, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 154

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 143

Mandatory roundabout direction. Mandatory roundabout direction.

English • Traffic sign II.84 • Roundabout. Drivers must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows within the roundabout area.

Italiano • Figura II.84 • Rotatoria. Obbliga a circolare nel verso indicato dalle frecce, in corrispondenza dell’area con circolazione rotatoria.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 122, comma 6
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.84 • pagina 271

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2010-07-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a roundabout. Warning for a roundabout.

English • Traffic sign II.27 • Roundabout ahead. Warns of a junction with roundabout circulation.

Italiano • Figura II.27 • Circolazione rotatoria. Presegnala un’intersezione regolata con circolazione rotatoria.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 96, comma 6
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.27 • pagina 252

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Original revision 2026-09-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Source revision 2026-09-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should you choose a roundabout lane in Italy?

Choose your intended exit before entering and follow the lane arrows and destination signs. Keep to the marked route and make any permitted lane change only when safe; having priority over entering traffic does not give you priority to change lanes.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38, 40–41, 143, 145, 154, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 154

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 143

What should you check when leaving a roundabout in Italy?

Check the lane you will cross or enter, signal the manoeuvre as required and look for cyclists and pedestrians at the exit. Obey any separate crossing controls and do not force an exit across another vehicle’s path.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38, 40–41, 143, 145, 154, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 154

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 143

1 Italy 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian zone 9 Customs 10 One-way traffic 11 Quay 12 Slope 13 Bus lane 14 Bus stop 15 Dead end 16 Stop sign 17 Give way 18 Roundabout 19 Road narrowing 20 Pedestrian crossing 21 Railway crossing 22 Mandatory direction 23 Overtaking 24 Crossing animals 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Chevron 28 Wrong-way driving 29 Roadworks 30 Height limit 31 Weight limit 32 Traffic lights 33 Pedestrian lights 34 Road markings 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Emergency telephone 39 International border 40 Cycling route 41 End of restriction 42 No parking 43 Disabled parking 44 Traffic management 45 Reversing 46 Road surface 47 Tourist attraction 48 Horn 49 Licence plate 50 Charging station 51 Dangers 52 Cyclist 53 Motorcycle 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 European emission standard 59 Pothole 60 Path 61 Particulates 62 Air pollution 63 Rush hour 64 Road code 65 Street gutter 66 Cargo bike 67 Forestry vehicle 68 Construction vehicle 69 Semi-trailer truck 70 Trolleybus 71 Speed pedelec 72 Delivery vehicle 73 Idling 74 Tow truck 75 Four-wheel drive 76 No vehicles 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ...