How to Properly Use Your Turn Signals on the Road

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Learn when and how to use your turn signals effectively

Co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: February 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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Making a Turn

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Merging with Traffic

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Your turn signals, or “blinkers,” are lights on either side of your vehicle, and they’re important for communicating where you’re going to other drivers. Using your turn signals is required by law in most areas, and it’s so easy to get in the habit of using them properly. Keep reading to learn when and how to activate your turn signal so you can drive safely.

Things You Should Know

Activate your turn signal whenever you’re rounding a corner or merging into traffic. Turn on the signal 100 feet (30 m) from a turn or 5 seconds before merging.
Move the signal lever down for a left turn and push it up to indicate a right turn. Shift the lever to the middle position if it doesn’t automatically turn off afterward.
Alternatively, put your left arm straight out horizontally for a left turn, or bend your elbow and hold your hand up for a right turn if your turn signals don't work.

Section 1 of 2:

Using Turn Signals at a Turn

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The turn signal is a long lever behind your steering wheel on the left side. When you move the lever up or down, the signal lights on either the left or right side of your car will flash.^{[1]
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Note: The turn signal only activates the signal lights on your vehicle if it’s running.
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Use your signal 100 feet (30 m) before making a turn. Wait to activate your turn signal until there are no other streets or alleys between you and where you’re turning. If you put on your car blinkers too soon, a person may think you’re turning sooner than expected, which could lead to being cut off in traffic or an accident.^{[2]
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- Turn on your signal before braking to let other drivers know why you are slowing.
EXPERT TIP

Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor
Ibrahim Onerli is a Driving Instructor and the Manager of Revolution Driving School in New York City. His mission is to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over eight driving instructors. He specializes in teaching defensive driving and stick shift driving.

Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor

Give other drivers plenty of notice before your turn. By law, you need to start signaling about 100 feet in advance of your turn, but it's best if you start signaling about a half a block before you plan to switch a lane or make a turn.

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Push the lever down to turn on the left turn signal. Make sure you’re in the left-turn lane or the leftmost lane. Push the turn signal lever down gently with your left hand. When the lever locks into place, a flashing left arrow will blink on your dashboard. The signal makes a ticking sound that clicks in time with the flashing light to indicate that the signal is operating properly.^{[3]
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- Keep your right hand on the wheel while flicking the signal lever down with your left hand. Usually, you can flick the lever down with a finger so you don’t have to fully let go of the wheel.
- If your car blinkers aren’t working properly, use a hand turn signal to alert other drivers. Roll down your window and hold your left arm straight out horizontally.^{[4]
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Move the lever up to turn on the right turn signal. Move into the right-turn lane or the rightmost available lane, and move the lever up with your left hand. Once you move the lever up into position, a flashing right arrow will appear on your dashboard paired with a clicking sound.^{[5]
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- If your lights aren’t working properly, roll down your window to do a hand turn signal. Put your left arm out the window, and bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle so your hand is straight up.^{[6]
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- If you’re driving in a roundabout, put on your right turn signal just before the exit you want to get off on.^{[7]
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Check that your turn signal shuts off after completing your turn. Normally, your turn signal will automatically turn off after you finish turning, but it may stay on if the turn was less than 90 degrees. Check your dashboard to see if the light is still flashing or if there’s still a ticking sound. If there is, push the signal lever back to the middle “off” position.
- Leaving your turn signal on after finishing your turn can confuse other drivers who are expecting you to make a turn.
While it might seem unnecessary to use your signal in a dedicated turn lane, it’s still important to put your blinkers on. Your turn signal still alerts oncoming traffic and drivers who are not familiar with the area which direction you’re going so you stay safe.^{[8]
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Many state laws require you to put on your signal whenever you’re turning, so it’s good to get in the habit of using it each time.

Section 2 of 2:

Using Turn Signals to Merge with Traffic

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1
Turn on your turn signal whenever you want to change lanes. If you need to move to a different lane to pass vehicles or make a turn, activate your signal when there’s a gap in traffic. Put on your signal about 5 seconds before you plan on merging so vehicles have time to slow down and make room. To move into the right lane, push your turn signal lever up. To move into the left lane, push your turn signal lever down.^{[9]
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- When the lane is all clear, turn your wheel slightly toward the lane. Once you’re completely within the boundaries of the lane, move your left hand to your turn signal lever and switch it off.
- Avoid crossing multiple lanes of traffic after only activating the turn signal once. Instead, wait for about 5 seconds in your new lane so the next lane knows you’re planning to merge.
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Put on your turn signal when you’re pulling out from the curb. Before leaving a parking spot on the side of the street, put on your turn signal to alert traffic which direction you want to merge. If you are parked on the right side of the street, activate your left-hand turn signal by pulling down on the signal lever. If you’re merging into a lane on your right, then use right turn signal.^{[10]
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- Before you pull out from the curb, check your side mirror to ensure there isn’t any oncoming traffic in the lane. Then, turn your wheel hard to the left and accelerate gently to pull out.
- Your turn signal may not turn off automatically, so push the lever back into the middle “off” position.
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Active your turn signal when you’re merging onto a highway. When merging onto the highway, accelerate quickly from the entrance ramp to match the speed of other vehicles. When you’re halfway along the ramp, put on the turn signal on the side you plan on merging with. While cars should slow down or move over so you can merge, be cautious and check your mirrors before changing lanes.^{[11]
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- Once you’ve found a gap between vehicles, merge quickly onto the lane. Only spend about 2-3 seconds to change lanes and enter the highway.
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Flip on your turn signal when you’re exiting the highway. Pay attention to the highway signs and change lanes so you’re in the correct lane for your exit. Use the turn signal that’s on the same side as your exit, and turn it on when you’re about 300 feet (91 m) from the off-ramp. Only once you’ve hit the off-ramp, use your brakes to slow down.
- After you get off the highway, immediately adjust your signal for which direction you’re going at the end of the ramp.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I switch the turn signal off?

Community Answer

Simply push the signal lever into the neutral position. The neutral position is located between the left and right turn signal positions, and is the default signal lever position on a car.

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When turning out of a parking lot, do I have to use my turn signal?

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Yes. It is always good practice to use your blinker. It keeps you safe and it lets those around you know where you're going.

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When passing another vehicle, do I need to use my turn signals?

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Yes, you must use your turn signals when moving into and out of any lane. This is true whether passing on a highway or overtaking another car on a regular road.

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Tips

Always check for other drivers when changing lanes, and watch out for pedestrians when you’re going around a corner.

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Some vehicles will blink the signal lights 3 times if you slightly move the lever up or down without locking it into place.

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Warnings

When signaling, make sure at least one hand is on the wheel at all times.

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Drive safely and always look where you are going. If there’s oncoming traffic, wait until it’s clear before making a turn.

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