Massachusetts Permit Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

A rotary, more commonly known as a roundabout, typically operates in a counter-clockwise direction in the United States, including Massachusetts. This means that vehicles entering the roundabout yield to those already circulating in the roundabout, which reduces the risk of collisions and improves traffic flow.

In a roundabout, vehicles traveling clockwise would create confusion and increase potential hazards since the design is intended to facilitate traffic going counter-clockwise. This design is standardized across many road systems in the U.S. to maintain consistency and predictability for drivers.

Other options, such as the idea that the movement could be random or depend on the country, do not accurately describe the organized nature of a properly designed rotary system. While it is true that in some countries, the direction of traffic might differ due to different driving systems (like driving on the left side of the road), the predominant rule in Massachusetts is that roundabouts operate counter-clockwise for all vehicles.