Everyday motoring
Quiz patente sulle rotatorie: come ragionare sulla precedenza
At an Italian roundabout, priority depends on signs and general rules, not on the circular layout alone.
At a roundabout, a vehicle does not have priority merely because it is already circulating. Read the signs that govern entry; if they do not set a different arrangement, the general rules in Article 145 apply, including priority to the right.
Read the entrance before the circle
As you approach a roundabout, identify any give-way sign, stop sign, traffic light or road marking in good time. These features, together with the Highway Code, determine what you must do. Do not infer priority from the shape of the road: roundabouts can have different layouts and signs. Reduce speed and observe circulating traffic without entering the intersection until you can do so safely.
If a give-way sign is posted at the entrance, let vehicles with priority pass and enter when there is enough space. If no sign assigns priority differently, apply the general intersection rule and consider vehicles approaching from your right. In a quiz, read the entire illustration: signs, markings, vehicle positions and direction of travel form part of the situation being tested.
Solve the question without overgeneralising
To answer, first list the signs you can see and ask which rule governs entry. Only then compare the vehicles’ positions. A memorised answer such as “traffic already inside always goes first” is incomplete and may be wrong when signs or conditions differ. Article 145 requires drivers to respect priority and not enter an intersection if they cannot clear it promptly.
After answering, explain why a vehicle must wait and which sign or rule leads to that conclusion. Then try a diagram with different signs instead of carrying the previous answer across automatically. Quiz Patente Ufficiale can help you practise priority questions and review mistakes; on the road, always follow the signs actually present.
Review priority and signs with Quiz Patente Ufficiale quizzes, then connect each answer to the applicable Italian rule.
Frequently asked questions
Does a vehicle already in the roundabout always have priority?
No. Priority is determined by signs and the general rules; being inside the circle alone is not enough to establish it.
What if I cannot see a give-way sign?
Apply the general rule in Article 145, including priority to the right, and carefully observe the vehicles and layout of the intersection.