Roadwise States Wisconsin Driving lessons Communication: Horn, Lights & Signals Wisconsin driving lesson · The Basics
Communication: Horn, Lights & Signals A 3-minute lesson from the Wisconsin 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 The Basics
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 24, 25 Other drivers can't read your mind. Your headlights, brakes, turn signals, hazards and the space you leave tell them you're there and what you plan to do.
Know the rule
Emotions affect your driving. Don't drive if you're very worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed.
Handbook p. 24 ↗ Know the rule
A light tap on the horn gets another driver's attention. Push hard only to warn someone that a crash is about to happen.
Handbook p. 24 ↗ Know the rule
Most vehicles set low beams automatically, but you should know how to turn them on manually and check that they're on when needed.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ You must use your low beams/headlights when You cannot see a vehicle or person 500 feet (about one block) away It's between a half hour past sunset and a half hour before sunrise Handbook p. 25 ↗ 500 ft Headlights required if you can't see a vehicle or person this far away (about one block)
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Low beams are recommended when You are using your windshield wipers It is rainy, snowy or foggy Handbook p. 25 ↗ Know the rule
High beams (brights) let you see twice as far as low beams. Use them when no vehicles are coming toward you, or in an unfamiliar place or construction area.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Know the rule
Switch back to low beams when a vehicle comes toward you. If an oncoming driver leaves their brights on, look toward the right side of the road.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Know the rule
Use parking lights only when you are parked and idling.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Know the rule
Signal before every turn or lane change: turn on the signal, check around you, then move.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ About 3 seconds How early to signal before turning at an intersection (about 100 feet)
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Know the rule
If you're turning just after an intersection, start signaling once you've crossed the intersection.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Put it into practice
An hour after sunset you're on a dark rural road with no one ahead, so you use high beams. A car's headlights appear over the hill. Dim to low beams right away, and if that driver keeps their brights on, look toward the right edge of the road.
A useful reminder Headlights must be on from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, or whenever you can't see 500 feet.
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.
You must use your low beam headlights when you cannot see a person or vehicle how far away? 500 feet 100 feet 1,000 feet 250 feet Answer: 500 feet
Use low beams when you cannot see a vehicle or person 500 feet (about one block) away.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ When should you switch from high beams back to low beams? Only in fog Only inside city limits When you enter a construction area When a vehicle approaches Answer: When a vehicle approaches
Go back to low beams when a vehicle comes toward you.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ When turning at an intersection, you should start signaling about three seconds (about 100 feet) before the turn. True False Answer: True
Start signaling about three seconds (about 100 feet) before turning at an intersection.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Using hand signals, how do you show that you plan to turn right? Arm straight out the window Elbow bent, hand pointing up Hand pointing down to the ground Arm out, waving front to back Answer: Elbow bent, hand pointing up
To signal a right turn, bend your elbow and point your hand up; arm straight out means left, hand down means stop or slow.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Compared with low beams, how far do high beams let you see? About three times as far About 100 feet farther Twice as far About 500 feet farther Answer: Twice as far
High beams let you see twice as far as low beams.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ You plan to turn into a driveway just past an intersection. When should you start signaling? About 100 feet before the intersection About 3 seconds before the intersection Once you have crossed the intersection Just as you begin to turn the wheel Answer: Once you have crossed the intersection
If you are turning after an intersection, start signaling once you cross the intersection.
Handbook p. 25 ↗ Previous lesson Backing & Parking Next lesson Warning Signs I About the source Roadwise’s Wisconsin course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 24, 25. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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