Key points
Below 35 mph, signal at least 100 feet before turning.
Source: Handbook p. 44
“you must always use your turn signals at least 100 feet before turning, if you are driving less than 35 mph.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 44At 35 mph or more, signal at least 300 feet before turning.
Source: Handbook p. 44
“If you are driving 35 mph or more, you must signal at least 300 feet before turning.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 44To warn drivers behind you of an unexpected stop, tap your brake pedal three or four times.
Source: Handbook p. 44
“If you are going to brake where other drivers may not expect it, quickly tap your brake pedal three (3) or four (4) times.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 44Below 40 mph on a limited access highway, use your four-way flashers.
Source: Handbook p. 44
“If you must drive below 40 mph on a limited access highway, use your hazard (four-way) flashers to warn the drivers behind you.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 44For a U-turn, make sure drivers from all directions are at least 500 feet away and can see you.
Source: Handbook p. 46
“make sure drivers coming from all directions are at least 500 feet away from you, and they can see you clearly.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 46It is illegal to pass a vehicle in an acceleration lane.
Source: Handbook p. 46
“It is illegal to pass a vehicle ahead of you in an acceleration lane.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 46At 45 mph you need about 1/4 mile of clear road to pass safely.
Source: Handbook p. 47
“At 45 mph, this translates into 1/4 mile of clear roadway you need to safely pass a slower vehicle.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 47Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing, or of a bridge, elevated structure or tunnel.
Source: Handbook p. 47
“You are within 100 feet of or are crossing any intersection or railroad grade crossing, unless an official traffic control device says you may. • You are within 100 feet of any bridge, elevated structure or tunnel.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 47Never stop or back up on the highway, even if you miss your exit.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Do not stop or back up on the highway.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 52
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 100 feet | signal distance below 35 mph | Handbook p. 44 |
| 35 mph | speed that divides the two signal distances | Handbook p. 44 |
| 300 feet | signal distance at 35 mph or more | Handbook p. 44 |
| 3 or 4 taps | brake taps to warn following drivers | Handbook p. 44 |
| 40 mph | speed below which to use flashers on a limited access highway | Handbook p. 44 |
| 500 feet | clear distance for a U-turn | Handbook p. 46 |
| 45 mph | speed in the passing example | Handbook p. 47 |
| 1/4 mile | clear road needed to pass at 45 mph | Handbook p. 47 |
| 100 feet | no passing zone near intersections and crossings | Handbook p. 47 |
3 questions from the Pennsylvania practice test
1. If you are driving 35 mph or more in Pennsylvania, when must you signal before turning?
- At least 100 feet before the turn
- At least 25 feet before the turn
- After entering the intersection
- At least 300 feet before the turn
Show answer
At least 300 feet before the turn. At 35 mph or faster, Pennsylvania requires signaling at least 300 feet before turning. The 100-foot distance applies when driving below 35 mph, so using it at the higher speed shortens the warning other drivers receive. Waiting until the intersection is also too late. Treat the speed threshold as the trigger: at or above 35 mph, begin the signal with enough roadway remaining to provide the full 300 feet of notice, then make the turn only after checking traffic and pedestrians.
2. What must you do before passing another vehicle in Pennsylvania?
- Check mirrors and blind spots for a vehicle already passing you
- Rely only on the rearview mirror
- Move out immediately if the passing lane looks empty ahead
- Sound the horn and ignore the side mirrors
Show answer
Check mirrors and blind spots for a vehicle already passing you. Before beginning a pass, Pennsylvania directs the driver to check the side and rearview mirrors and quickly inspect blind spots for vehicles that may already be passing. Looking only ahead does not reveal a vehicle beside or behind you, and a horn cannot replace a visual check. Make sure the passing lane is clear in front, behind, and beside your vehicle, then signal before changing lanes. This short scan prevents a lane change into another driver who has already started to pass.
3. What should a driver do after missing a highway exit in Pennsylvania?
- Take the next exit
- Cross the median and turn around
- Swerve across lanes at the last second
- Stop and back up on the highway
Show answer
Take the next exit. If you miss an exit, Pennsylvania directs you to take the next one. Stopping or backing on the highway, crossing the median, or swerving across several lanes can cause a high-speed collision and is illegal or hazardous. Continue with the traffic flow, maintain control, and use the next exit to reroute. The cue is simple: a missed ramp is a navigation problem, not an emergency that justifies reversing or making a sudden cross-lane maneuver.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with signals and markings questions from the free Pennsylvania practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3: Learning to Drive. 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.