Always signal when you turn, change lanes, slow down, or stop. You can signal with your vehicle’s signal lights or with hand-and-arm positions — and you must use your arm when your signal lights are not working, or when bright sunlight makes them hard to see.
The Three Signals
All three are given with your left arm, out of the driver’s window.
| Signal | Arm position |
|---|---|
| Left turn | Arm straight out, pointing left |
| Right turn | Arm up, bent at the elbow, hand pointing to the sky |
| Slow down or stop | Arm down, bent at the elbow, hand pointing to the ground |
🚲 Bicyclists are different. A cyclist may signal a turn with the arm held straight out, pointing in the direction they plan to turn — including a right turn with the right arm. Don’t read a cyclist’s straight-out right arm as anything other than “I’m turning right”.
⏱️ When to Signal
You should signal:
- At least 100 feet before you turn.
- Before every lane change.
- At least 5 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 — the one you did not see is exactly the one that matters.
- When you are almost through an intersection and plan to turn shortly after crossing it — signalling too early there makes drivers think you are turning at the intersection.
✅ Two Habits That Prevent Confusion
- Remember to turn off your signal when you no longer need it. A signal left blinking is worse than no signal: other drivers stop trusting it.
- A signal is a request, not a right of way. Signalling does not give you permission to move — you still have to check that the space is clear and yield to whoever is already there.