RoundaboutUruguay

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Uruguay. 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.


5. 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.

Roundabout connecting departmental route 74 with national routes 6 and 7. (Villa San Felipe, Canelones, Uruguay)
Wikimedia.org • ANDRESMARTELUNA • CC BY-SA
Who has priority at a roundabout in Uruguay?

Read Uruguay’s signs and applicable junction rules before entering a rotonda; do not assume that circular shape alone settles priority. The national circulation regulations also require a driver leaving a roundabout to yield to vehicles advancing on the driver’s right.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, National Road Circulation Regulation, Decree 118/1984; 🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, Law 18,191, article 17, updated text

Mandatory roundabout direction. Mandatory roundabout direction.

Warning for a roundabout. Warning for a roundabout.

English • Traffic sign P-12 • Roundabout. Warns of a junction with roundabout circulation.

Español • P-12 • Rotonda. Advierte la proximidad de una intersección con circulación en rotonda.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 95
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 39

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Original: Vialidad Nacional - Ministerio de Transporte - Presidencia de la Nación Vectorization: Civitas13 • Public domain • Original revision 2022-08-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Original: Vialidad Nacional - Ministerio de Transporte - Presidencia de la Nación Vectorization: Civitas13 • Public domain • Source revision 2022-08-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should you choose a roundabout lane in Uruguay?

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.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, National Road Circulation Regulation, Decree 118/1984; 🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, Law 18,191, article 17, updated text

What should you check when leaving a roundabout in Uruguay?

The national circulation regulation requires drivers leaving a roundabout to give way to vehicles advancing on their right. Check and signal before changing lanes or leaving, and respect pedestrians at designated crossings. Follow the actual signs and do not cut across another vehicle’s path.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, National Road Circulation Regulation, Decree 118/1984; 🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay, Law 18,191, article 17, updated text

1 Uruguay 2 Pedestrian warning 3 Speed bump 4 Stop sign 5 Roundabout 6 Railway crossing 7 Curve 8 Wrong-way driving 9 Traffic lights 10 Location marker 11 No parking 12 Reversing 13 Bus 14 Police 15 Ambulance 16 Pothole 17 Path 18 Particulates 19 Air pollution 20 Rush hour 21 Road code 22 Street gutter 23 Cargo bike 24 Forestry vehicle 25 Construction vehicle 26 Semi-trailer truck 27 Trolleybus 28 Speed pedelec 29 Delivery vehicle 30 Idling 31 Tow truck 32 Four-wheel drive 33 Bicycle 34 Motorcycle equipment 35 Rail track 36 Caravan 37 Trailer 38 Tow hitch 39 Siren 40 Convoy 41 Emergency vehicle lighting 42 Agricultural machinery 43 Electric bicycle 44 Electric vehicle 45 Pedelec 46 Quadricycle 47 Microcar 48 All-terrain vehicle 49 Van 50 Recreational vehicle 51 Scooter 52 Trikke 53 Personal mobility device 54 Skateboard 55 Segway 56 Kick scooter 57 Roller skates 58 Mailman 59 Hitchhiker 60 Toddler 61 Child 62 Disability 63 Motorail 64 km/h 65 mph 66 Speedometer 67 Ride height 68 Dirt road 69 Driving 70 Start-stop system 71 Manual transmission 72 Automatic transmission 73 Throttle 74 Tachometer 75 Steering wheel 76 Power steering 77 Visual scanning 78 Mirror 79 Fuel 80 Fuel gauge 81 Petrol 82 Diesel 83 Diesel exhaust fluid 84 Car insurance 85 First aid kit 86 Fire extinguisher 87 High-visibility clothing 88 First aid 89 Concrete step barrier 90 Barriers 91 Vehicle lights 92 Street lights 93 Dipped beam 94 High beam 95 Fog lights 96 Front fog lights 97 Rear fog lights 98 Side lights 99 Turn signals 100 Hazard lights ...