Turning and turn signals

Explanation

Turning. Move into the proper lane well before the turn, using your turn signal: the far-left lane for your direction to turn left, the far-right lane to turn right. Yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

Signals. You must give a proper turn signal before turning or changing lanes. Your vehicle’s lighted signals are the safest. If one of them isn’t working, you may use hand signals — but not on a driving skills exam. The manual pictures the three hand signals:

• Stop or slow: arm extended downward.
• Right turn: arm bent upward.
• Left turn: arm extended straight out.

Example

Your right turn signal stops working on the way home. You may use the hand signal for a right turn (arm bent upward, as pictured in the manual), well before the turn.

Common mistake

Mixing up the right-turn and stop signals. Arm up = right turn; arm down = stop or slow.

What the manual says

The first rule for a safe and legal turn is to move into the proper lane well before the turn, using your turn signal.

You must give a proper turn signal before turning or changing lanes.

If, however, one or more of these signals is malfunctioning, you may use hand signals. You may not use hand signals on a driving skills exam.