Signaling

Signals tell drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists what you are about to do. Always signal when you turn, change lanes, slow down or stop, using signal lights or hand-and-arm signals.

Know the rule

Use hand-and-arm signals if your signal lights are not working or bright sunlight makes them hard to see.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Hand-and-arm signals (left arm out the window)

Hand-and-arm signals (left arm out the window)
Signal	Arm position
Left turn	Arm straight out
Right turn	Arm bent up at the elbow
Slow or stop	Arm bent down at the elbow

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Hand signal left turn — Left turn hand signal

Hand signal right turn — Right turn hand signal

Hand signal stop or slow — Slow or stop hand signal

Know the rule

Bicyclists may signal a turn with their arm held straight out, pointing in the direction they plan to turn.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

You should signal:

At least 100 feet before you turn
Before every lane change
At least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway
Before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb
Even when you do not see other vehicles around you
When almost through an intersection, if you plan to turn shortly after crossing it

Handbook p. 17 ↗

100 ft

Signal at least this far before you turn

Handbook p. 17 ↗

5 seconds

Signal at least this long before changing lanes on a freeway

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

Turn off your signal when you no longer need it.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Put it into practice

You want to turn into a driveway just past an intersection. If you signal before the intersection, drivers may think you're turning there. Wait until you're almost through the intersection, then signal.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

At least how many feet before a turn should you signal?

50 feet
100 feet
200 feet
25 feet

Answer: 100 feet

You should signal at least 100 feet before you turn.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

How many seconds before changing lanes on a freeway should you signal?

At least three seconds
At least ten seconds
At least five seconds
At least two seconds

Answer: At least five seconds

On a freeway, you should signal at least five seconds before you change lanes.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Should you signal a turn even if you don't see any other vehicles nearby?

No, only when others are nearby
Yes, even with no one around
No, only when pedestrians are present
Only on busy multilane roads

Answer: Yes, even with no one around

The handbook says to signal even when you do not see other vehicles around you.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

If your signal lights fail or are hard to see in bright sunlight, what should you use instead?

Hand-and-arm signals
Your horn
Flashing your headlights
Your emergency flashers

Answer: Hand-and-arm signals

If signal lights aren't working or are hard to see, use hand-and-arm signals.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

How do bicyclists commonly signal a turn?

Left arm bent downward
Arm held straight out toward the turn
Left arm bent upward for either turn
Pointing back over the shoulder

Answer: Arm held straight out toward the turn

Bicyclists may signal a turn with their arm held straight out, pointing in the direction they plan to turn.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

You plan to turn shortly after crossing an intersection. When should you signal?

Before entering the intersection
After you have fully crossed
When you are almost through the intersection
Only after coming to a stop

Answer: When you are almost through the intersection

Signal when you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing it.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Hand-and-arm signals (left arm out the window)

You should signal:

Check your understanding

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