Circular Intersection sign
A roundabout or other circular intersection is ahead.
What to do
Slow down, be ready to yield to traffic in the circle, and travel counterclockwise.
Slow down, pick your lane early, and be ready to yield to traffic already circulating before you enter to the right.
Where it's used
Section 2C.41 allows the Circular Intersection (W2-6) sign in advance of a roundabout or other circular intersection, and says it should be used when the approach has a speed limit of 40 mph or more. It is a black-on-yellow diamond with three curved arrows forming a circle in the counterclockwise direction of travel. An educational plaque such as ROUNDABOUT (W16-12aP) or TRAFFIC CIRCLE (W16-12P) may be mounted below it.
Don't confuse it with
- Roundabout Circulation plaque: The Roundabout Circulation plaque is a white regulatory plaque at the roundabout entry showing the direction to travel, while the yellow diamond is an advance warning.
- Cross Road: Cross Road warns of an ordinary four-way intersection, not a circular one.
- Yield Ahead: Yield Ahead warns of a YIELD sign ahead, which you will usually also meet at a roundabout entry, but it does not show the circular layout.
- Type
- Warning signs
- Shape
- Diamond
- Colors
- yellow, black
- MUTCD code
- W2-6
- MUTCD section
- 2C.41
On state permit tests
Our questions for 13 states ask about this sign, including Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Maryland and Nebraska.
Test yourself
What does the roundabout warning sign tell you? (Delaware practice test)
- Speed up to merge
- Reduce speed and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the circle
- Turn left only
- Stop at the circle
Show answer
Reduce speed and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the circle. The roundabout sign means reduce speed and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the circle.
In which direction do you travel in a DC roundabout? (Washington DC practice test)
- Counterclockwise
- Either
- Clockwise
- Depends on the lane
Show answer
Counterclockwise. After entering a roundabout, drivers must travel in a counterclockwise direction.
More warning signs
Turn
Curve
Reverse Turn
Reverse Curve
Winding Road
One-Direction Large Arrow
Two-Direction Large Arrow
Chevron AlignmentFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.41. Sign image: public domain, source.