Mastering Tallahassee's Two-Lane Roundabouts: What Every New Driver Needs to Know

Easy tips to navigate Bannerman Road and Orange Avenue

If you're a new driver in Tallahassee, chances are you'll encounter one of the city's trickier driving challenges: two-lane roundabouts - and two of the most challenging are located on Orange Avenue in the south and Bannerman Road in the north. At Burgess Driving School, we specialize in helping new drivers understand how to safely and confidently navigate these high-traffic intersections.

🎯 The #1 Rule: Your Entry Lane Controls Your Exit Options

Two-lane roundabouts may seem intimidating at first, but they follow a clear logic:

• Entering in the RIGHT lane? You have only two options:

  • Take the first exit (a right turn).

  • Or go straight and exit directly across from where you entered.

  • DO NOT attempt to curve around toward the third (left side) exit because you could hit someone in the left lane trying to exit the second (opposite side) exit.

    
    

• Entering in the LEFT lane?

  • You can go straight across the roundabout.

  • You can take the third exit (a left turn).

  • Or you can even loop around and exit the way you came in (a full U-turn).

  • DO NOT attempt to exit the first (right side) exit because you could hit someone in the right lane trying to exit the opposite side.

Choosing the correct lane before entering is essential - you cannot switch lanes inside a roundabout. Doing so is not only dangerous but also illegal.

🔄 Always Go Right (Counter-Clockwise)

One occasional mistake we see from new drivers is attempting to turn left into the roundabout if it looks clear. There are no shortcuts. Roundabouts must always be entered by curving right and going counter-clockwise around the center island.

⏱️ Yielding (or the Art of Not Stopping)

Another tip: You don’t necessarily need to stop before entering a roundabout, unless you cannot enter safely. But if you time it right, you can often slow down, yield, and merge smoothly behind a passing vehicle without stopping completely.

But here’s the golden rule:

• If you're entering, yield to vehicles already inside the roundabout.

• Don’t force your way in. Wait until the car has passed your entry point, then go.

Being too hesitant and stopping unnecessarily can confuse other drivers—and lead to rear-end collisions. Our instructors at BDS help you practice the timing and confidence needed to enter roundabouts smoothly.

Pop Quiz:

The answer in this case is (b) Red, because it's in the left lane as it enters. The Red car therefore has the option to go straight or curve around and take the left side exit (red arrow). Note how that lane has two options at the very top of the roundabout (near the light gray car at the top of the image). As the red car approaches the second (top) exit, the dashed line allows cars in the left lane to either get in the leftmost lane or the right lane without technically changing lanes. By taking the right side option, the red car can then exit at the red arrow near Moes Southwest Grill.

Ready to Practice Roundabouts With an Expert?

Our behind-the-wheel driving lessons include real-life training on these exact Tallahassee roundabouts. We’ll teach you how to pick the right lane, anticipate traffic, and build the confidence to glide through like a pro.

🚗 Book your first lesson today or join our New Driver Essentials Class to prep before hitting the road!

📞 Call us at (850) 805-5505📧 Email: brian@bdstally.com