Driving Test Tips

  • Learn to Drive
  • Driving Theory Test
  • Driving Test Tutorials
  • Tips for Passing the Driving Test
  • Driving Schools
  • Car Tips
  • Driving Tips
Home Driving Hand Signals Explained

Driving Hand Signals Explained

With modern road vehicles having the advantage of electronic light signals, the use of driving hand signals is for the majority of time unnecessary these days, very rarely used.



Part of the training process for driving instructors involves driving hand signals, which they convey to their learner drivers.

However, hand signals are so infrequently used or needed in real-life driving that many driving instructors do in fact not even cover this part of the training process for their learner drivers.

There are certain situations where knowing the appropriate driving hand signals may become helpful and in certain circumstances essential. Detailed are driving hand signals with diagrams and possible reasons why you need them.


What are the driving hand signals

The driving hand signals are as follows:

Driving hand signals explained

Driving hand signals explained

  • Hand signals for turning left
    Extend the right hand at shoulder level, palm facing forward, and rotate it in an anti-clockwise direction.
  • Hand signals for turning right
    Extend the right hand at shoulder level with palm facing forward.
  • Hand signals for slowing down
    Extend the right hand at shoulder level with palm facing downward, and wave it downwards and upwards.



When you may need driving hand signals

The most essential reason for the use of hand signals is if your vehicle has electronic signalling failure, or more commonly if an indicator bulb fails. It’s unlikely that with modern reliable technology that the electronics or wiring that control external lights will fail on a vehicle, but it can happen. In fact it happened to me whilst teaching a learner driver. When we had stopped the car, a courteous driver kindly informed me that we had absolutely no brake lights. This is clearly dangerous, but if you’re in a position where you cannot leave the car, you must give drivers behind a hand signal to inform them that you are slowing or stopping.

Likewise if an indicator bulb fails, especially a rear indicator, a hand signal is essential because if you are making a left or right turn, the driver behind will not know this if you are unable to signal. If the road ahead is clear, this may lead to confusion for the driver if they see only your brake lights. This may provoke them to overtake you which is especially dangerous if you intend on turning right.



Other situations can be for example at a pedestrian crossing. If for instance you are approaching a pedestrian crossing where your side of the road is congested with traffic, but the opposite side is free of traffic, it could be difficult for drivers t see a pedestrian making the cross starting from your side of the road. Especially at a Zebra crossing, the use of the slowing down hand signal can be of benefit to other motorists who may not see a pedestrian or small child.

Driving test and hand signals

Although you may be taught hand signals during driving lessons, it’s highly unlikely you will need to demonstrate them during the actual practical driving test. The driving examiner will not ask you to demonstrate hand signals but in the event of an indicator bulb failure, the use of hand signals may be important.

Although the test is likely to be terminated, showing your drivers hand signal skills may impress the examiner enough to gain a test pass if enough of the test has been completed.

TUTORIALS RELATED TO Driving Hand Signals

  • When to signal / indicate when driving





Driving Test Tips
Comments: 1
  1. Peter Longdon
    at

    Sadly, most modern drivers would wonder why you’re gesticulating. Could even end up in a nasty confrontation!

    ReplyCancel

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Driving Test Tutorials
  • Car Cockpit Drill and Controls Lesson
  • Setting Car Mirrors
  • Use of Mirrors
  • Steering Techniques
  • How to use Car Brakes / Braking Techniques
  • Changing Gears Tutorials
  • Driving Blind Spot
  • Car Instrument Panel
  • Moving Off and Stopping
  • Hill Starts Car Tutorial
  • When to Signal Whilst Driving
  • Stopping in Traffic
  • Anticipation and Planning
  • Speed Awareness for the Driving Test
  • Passing Parked Cars
  • Clutch Control
  • Driving Routines
  • Pulling Up on the Left
  • Driving Test Manoeuvres
  • Traffic Lights
  • Pedestrian Crossings
  • Other Road Users
  • Learning the Emergency Stop
  • Lane Discipline
  • Left and Right Turns
  • Road Junctions
  • Crossroads Junctions
  • Learning Roundabouts
  • One-way Roads, Streets and Systems
  • Level Crossings
  • Overtaking
  • How to Merge into Traffic
  • Dual Carriageway
  • 2 Second Rule Explained
  • Approaching Corners and Driving Through Bends
  • Country Road Driving
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • International Drivers Tips
  • Driving Instructor Training Advice
  • About Driving Test Tips
  • Contact Driving Test Tips
2021 © Driving Test Tips
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT