Turn signals, headlights and bad weather

Key points

1. Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping, or 200 feet where the limit is 45 mph or more.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “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.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 69

2. A left-turn hand signal is the arm straight out. A right turn is the forearm up. Stopping is the arm down.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “To signal a left turn, hold the arm and hand straight out and point the first finger. • To signal a right turn, hold the arm straight out and the forearm and hand straight up, palm facing forward. • To signal stopping and slowing down, point the arm and hand down, palm facing back.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 69

3. Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “The law requires use of headlights from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 71

4. You must use headlights whenever your wipers are on because of bad weather.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “All North Carolina motorists are required to use headlights whenever they are using windshield wipers due to inclement weather.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 73

5. On slippery roads, stopping distances can be 2 to 10 times longer, so keep at least twice the normal following distance.

   Source: Handbook p. 72

   “Stopping distances on slippery pavement increases from two to 10 times farther than on dry pavement; therefore, slow down and allow yourself at least twice the normal following distance.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 72

6. Drive at least 5 to 10 mph slower on wet pavement.

   Source: Handbook p. 72

   “Drive at least five to 10 miles per hour slower on wet pavement than you would on dry pavement.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 72

7. Hydroplaning can start at 30 mph in water little more than 1/8 inch deep.

   Source: Handbook p. 72

   “Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 30 miles per hour and in water little more than 1/8 inch deep.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 72

8. In fog, turn on your low beams and slow down.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “Fog If you must drive during fog: • Turn on the low beam headlights; • Reduce your driving speed”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 73

9. Never drive through standing water on a roadway.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “Never drive through standing water on a roadway.”
   North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 73

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Carolina practice test

1. 1. When does North Carolina require headlights because of darkness or limited visibility?

   1. Only after midnight on roads outside cities
   2. From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less
   3. Only when windshield wipers have run for ten minutes
   4. Only when traveling faster than 45 mph
   Show answer

   From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less. North Carolina requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is 400 feet or less. The rule is based on darkness or sight distance, not on a midnight cutoff, a particular roadway type, wiper duration, or vehicle speed. Headlights help the driver see and help other road users notice the vehicle. Check the light conditions before visibility becomes severely restricted, and use the appropriate beam for the surroundings. The two cues to remember are the daily period from sunset to sunrise and the 400-foot visibility threshold.

2. 2. During rain, what following distance does the handbook recommend?

   1. One car length regardless of speed
   2. The same distance used on dry pavement
   3. Half the normal distance so other vehicles cannot merge
   4. At least twice the normal following distance
   Show answer

   At least twice the normal following distance. Rain makes pavement slippery and increases stopping distance, so the handbook advises allowing at least twice the normal following distance. Keeping the dry pavement interval ignores the reduced traction and longer braking path. A shorter gap is especially dangerous because it removes reaction time, and one car length has no fixed safety value at different speeds. Slow down, use headlights and wipers, and leave a larger time based gap behind the vehicle ahead.

3. 3. When driving in fog in North Carolina, which headlights should a driver use?

   1. High-beam headlights only
   2. Parking lights without headlights
   3. Low-beam headlights
   4. Hazard flashers instead of headlights
   Show answer

   Low-beam headlights. The handbook directs a driver who must travel in fog to turn on low-beam headlights. High beams can reflect from moisture and make the forward view harder to read, while parking lights alone provide too little illumination and visibility. Hazard flashers are not a substitute for the normal lighting instruction. Pair the low beams with reduced speed and attention to taillights ahead. Fog can hide a stopped vehicle or a changing lane edge, so the lighting choice should help the driver see without producing unnecessary glare.

Source: the North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4: Your Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.