The horn, headlights and turn signals

Key points

1. Do not drive if you are very worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Do not drive if you are very worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 20

2. A light tap on the horn should be enough to get another driver's attention.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “A light tap on the horn should be enough to signal to another driver to get their attention on the road.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 20

3. Use headlights when you cannot see a vehicle or person 500 feet (about one block) away.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “You cannot see a vehicle or person that is 500 feet (about one block) away”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 21

4. Headlights are also required from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “It is a half hour past sunset to half hour before sunrise”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 21

5. High beams let you see twice as far. Switch back to low beams when a vehicle comes toward you.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Let you see twice as far as low beams/headlights Go back to your low beams/headlights when a vehicle comes toward you”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 21

6. If an oncoming driver keeps their brights on, look toward the right side of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “If someone is driving toward you and forgets to turnoff their brights, look toward the right side of the road”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 21

7. At an intersection, start signaling about three seconds (about 100 feet) before the turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “If you are turning at an intersection, you should start signaling about three seconds (about 100 feet) before the turn.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 21

8. Hand signals: for a right turn bend your elbow and point your hand up. To stop or slow, point your hand to the ground.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “If you would like to turn right, bend your elbow and point your hand up. If you are stopping or slowing down point your hand to the ground.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 21

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test

1. 1. What visibility condition requires low beams or headlights?

   1. Only when driving on an interstate
   2. When a vehicle or person cannot be seen 500 feet away
   3. Whenever the road has a posted speed limit
   4. Only after midnight
   Show answer

   When a vehicle or person cannot be seen 500 feet away. Wisconsin requires low beams or headlights when a driver cannot see a vehicle or person 500 feet away. The handbook also requires them from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. A posted speed limit and an interstate roadway do not determine this requirement, and midnight is not the controlling time. Use visibility and the daily light cycle as the cues. In rain, snow, fog, or when using windshield wipers, the handbook recommends low beams as an added safety measure.

2. 2. When are Wisconsin drivers required to use low-beam headlights?

   1. Only when driving on an interstate highway
   2. From a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise
   3. Only during rain, snow, or fog
   4. Whenever the vehicle is parked and idling
   Show answer

   From a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. The handbook requires low beams during the period beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before sunrise. It also requires them when a driver cannot see a vehicle or person 500 feet away. Rain, snow, fog, and windshield-wiper use are listed as recommended circumstances, not the only mandatory trigger. Parked vehicles should use parking lights as described separately. Check the lighting control before darkness begins, and return from high beams when another vehicle approaches.

3. 3. When turning at an intersection, when should you begin signaling?

   1. Only after entering the intersection
   2. About three seconds, or about 100 feet, before the turn
   3. About 10 feet before turning
   4. After the turn is complete
   Show answer

   About three seconds, or about 100 feet, before the turn. For a turn at an intersection, begin the signal about three seconds, or approximately 100 feet, before turning. That advance notice gives other drivers time to understand your plan and respond. Signaling after entering the intersection is late, and waiting until the maneuver ends gives no useful warning. The handbook gives a different timing cue for a turn after an intersection: signal once you cross the intersection. Remember the location of the turn before choosing the timing.

Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 3: The Basics. 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.