Communicating and hand signals — North Carolina Permit Test

Signal your intention any time you plan to slow down, stop, turn, change lanes or pull away from the curb, even when you see nobody on the road, after first checking that the move can be made safely.

The driver you did not see is the one the signal is for. A habit does not need an audience.

Be in the habit of signalling your movements even when you do not see others on the road.

Hand signals are given from the driver’s window with the left arm: straight out for a left turn, forearm up with the palm forward for a right turn, and arm down with the palm back for slowing or stopping.

With the arm out the window, up is the only way to point right. The three positions are the whole vocabulary.

To signal a right turn, hold the arm straight out and the forearm and hand straight up, palm facing forward.

To signal stopping or slowing by hand, point the arm and hand down with the palm facing back.

A hand pointed down is the one position that cannot be mistaken for a turn. It is the brake light for a car without one.

To signal stopping and slowing down, point the arm and hand down, palm facing back.

To signal a left turn by hand, hold the arm and hand straight out and point the first finger.

The arm points where the car is going. A left turn is the only signal that literally points at the turn.

To signal a left turn, hold the arm and hand straight out and point the first finger.

Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping, and at least the last 200 feet where the speed limit is 45 mph or more; flashing signals are a legal substitute for hand signals and are easier to see at night.

At 45 mph a car covers 100 feet in a second and a half. The faster the road, the earlier the warning has to come.

Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping. If the speed limit is 45 mph or more, signal at least the last 200 feet before turning.

Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping; flashing light signals are a legal substitute for hand signals.

A hundred feet is a few seconds at town speed, enough for the driver behind to ease off before you brake.

Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping. If the speed limit is 45 mph or more, signal at least the last 200 feet before turning.

In late afternoon and early morning the sun can reflect off turn signal lenses so flashing signals are hard to see; use whichever signal communicates best, and at night the flashing signal is sufficient.

Low sun lights up the lens whether or not it is flashing. A hand out the window cannot be mistaken for a reflection.

In late afternoon and early morning, the lenses may reflect sunlight, making it difficult to tell whether the signals are flashing.

When should you signal a turn or lane change?

Every time, even if you see no one on the road. The driver you did not see is the one the signal is for. A habit does not need an audience. North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.68: “Be in the habit of signalling your movements even when you do not see others on the road.”