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Missouri driving lesson · Safe Driving Basics

Signaling, the horn and slow driving

A 3-minute lesson from the Missouri course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Safe Driving Basics
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
60, 61

Other drivers expect you to keep doing what you're doing. Signals warn them before you change direction or slow down, your horn is only for warnings, and driving too slowly can be as dangerous as speeding.

Know the rule

Use your turn signals before you change lanes, turn right or left, merge into traffic or park. Signal every time, even when you don't see anyone around.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
100 ft

Signal at least this far before you make your move

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Know the rule

If streets, driveways or entrances lie between you and your turn, wait until you've passed them to signal. Do the same if another vehicle is about to enter the street between you and your turn.

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Know the rule

After a turn or lane change, make sure your signal is off. After small turns it may not cancel itself, and others may think you plan to turn again.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Know the rule

Use your horn only to warn other drivers, never to show anger or frustration. Needless honking can distract drivers and cause a crash.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Know the rule

It's illegal to drive slower than the posted minimum speed under normal conditions. You may go slower in bad weather, heavy traffic or on a bad road.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Know the rule

Even with no posted minimum, it's illegal to drive so slowly that you block traffic. If vehicles line up behind you, pull over and let them pass. Slower is not always safer.

Handbook p. 61 ↗

Put it into practice

You plan to turn right into the second driveway ahead, and a side street comes first. Pass the side street before you signal; otherwise the driver behind may think you're turning there.

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.

How far in advance should you signal before changing lanes, turning, or merging?
  1. At least 100 feet
  2. At least 50 feet
  3. At least 300 feet
  4. At least 500 feet

Answer: At least 100 feet

Try to signal at least 100 feet before you make your move, whether turning, changing lanes, or merging.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
You want to turn, but there's a driveway or street between you and the turn. When should you signal?
  1. Immediately, before the driveway
  2. Wait until you've passed it, then signal
  3. At least 300 feet before your turn
  4. Only once you are in the intersection

Answer: Wait until you've passed it, then signal

If there are driveways or streets between you and your turn, wait until you've passed them before signaling.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
When should you use your vehicle's horn?
  1. To show you are upset with a driver
  2. To tell a slow driver to hurry
  3. Only to warn other drivers
  4. To tell a driver the light changed

Answer: Only to warn other drivers

There is only one reason to use your horn: to warn other drivers. It should not be used out of anger or frustration.

Handbook p. 61 ↗
Once your turn signal is off automatically after a small turn, you never need to check it manually.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

After small turns, the signal may not turn off by itself, so check and turn it off manually if needed.

Handbook p. 61 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

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