Turn signals, hand signals and the horn

Key points

1. Always signal when turning, changing lanes, stopping or slowing down.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “A motorist should always give a proper signal when turning, changing lanes, stopping, or slowing down.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

2. Turn on your signal at least 100 feet before the turn and cancel it afterward.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “A motorist should put on the turn signal at least 100 feet before turning and be sure to cancel the signal after making a turn.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

3. Stop or slow down: hand and arm pointing down, palm facing the rear.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Stop or slowing down: hand and arm downward, palm facing to the rear.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

4. Right turn: hand and arm pointing up. Left turn: hand and arm straight out.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Right turn: hand and arm upward. • Left turn: hand and arm straight out.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

5. Bicyclists may also signal a right turn by holding the right arm straight out.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “bicyclists, skateboarders, and inline skaters may extend the right hand and arm straight out to indicate a right turn.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

6. Your horn should be heard from at least 200 feet away.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Under normal conditions, the horn should be able to be heard for at least 200 feet.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

7. If your turn signals do not work, use hand signals until they are repaired.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “A motorist should use hand signals until the turn signals are repaired.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 46

8. Signal first, then move into the proper lane for your turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “Signal first (use turn signals or hand signals) and then move into the proper lane.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

9. If you miss a turn, never back up. Take the next turn instead.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “If a turn is missed, a motorist should never back up. It is better to take the next turn than to risk a crash.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 55

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Jersey practice test

1. 1. What does a driver's left arm pointing straight out signal to other road users?

   1. A left turn
   2. A stop or slowing movement
   3. A request to pass
   4. A right turn
   Show answer

   A left turn. New Jersey's hand-signal instructions assign a straight-out left arm to a left turn. An upward arm indicates a right turn, and a downward arm with the palm facing the rear indicates stopping or slowing. The signal is meant to be visible to nearby motorists, so the arm should extend well outside the vehicle. When a question describes the direction of the arm, match the posture to the maneuver instead of relying on the vehicle's turn signal lights.

2. 2. What does a downward hand and arm signal mean?

   1. The driver is turning right
   2. The driver is stopping or slowing down
   3. The driver is turning left
   4. The driver is passing another vehicle
   Show answer

   The driver is stopping or slowing down. A downward hand and arm signal, with the palm facing the rear, means the driver is stopping or slowing down. An upward arm signals a right turn, while an arm extended straight out signals a left turn. Passing is not represented by this hand signal. The arm should extend well outside the vehicle so other motorists can see it. Even when using the vehicle's turn signals, understand these standard hand signals because a bicyclist or another motorist may use one to communicate an upcoming movement.

3. 3. A New Jersey driver is about to turn and sees no other vehicles nearby. What does the manual say about the turn signal?

   1. Signal at least 100 feet before turning and cancel it after the turn
   2. Flash it once, then turn it off right away
   3. Skip it because no other vehicles are nearby
   4. Turn it on only after the turn has begun
   Show answer

   Signal at least 100 feet before turning and cancel it after the turn. The New Jersey manual says a motorist should always give a proper signal when turning, changing lanes, stopping, or slowing down, and should always use the vehicle's turn signals. The signal should go on at least 100 feet before turning and be canceled after the turn, because not doing so could mislead other motorists. An empty road is not an exception, a single flash gives too little notice, and signaling only after the turn begins is too late.

Source: the New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 3: Driver Responsibility. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-10-12.