# Manual turn signals **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175 "2000-03-24T22:06:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/1 "2000-03-24T22:06:00Z")
Is the ole “hang your arm out the window” method of turn signaling still legal in this fast paced age? I know that there are antique cars that pretty much require you to do so (or else mount on new signals, thus ruining your antique car), but could someone in a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee do so legally (without activating their electric signals of course)? Been a while since I took Driver’s Ed or even needed to retest for my license. * * * “I guess one person can make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.” ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/2 "2000-03-24T22:33:00Z")
I suppose that if manual turn signals were illegal, the DMV wouldn’t ask you about them on your test. I can’t see why they would be declared illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/3 "2000-03-24T22:33:00Z")
Is there any legal obligation to signal at all? ---
**Author:** ![Steve-o](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve-o)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/4 "2000-03-24T22:43:00Z")
Yes, I know first hand about it. I got a ticket once (here in Houston, TX) for not using my left turn signal. I was very pleased to get the ticket. It was only three days after I first got my license, and it was around midnight. There were no other cars on the road in this residential neighborhood (other than the police man who was just sitting there in the dark on a road that is not even close to being well traveled). I was as polite as I could be during the whole thing, but did I get a warning??? Nosireebob. ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/5 "2000-03-24T22:55:00Z")
Not got much of a chest then Steve-o… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/6 "2000-03-24T23:10:00Z")
Bob, that’s why I mentioned it’s been a while since I took the test. Actually, even when I took it they didn’t ask about them (if memory serves). * * * “I guess one person can make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.” ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/7 "2000-03-24T23:14:00Z")
just a guess, but not having turn signals or brake lights are an equipment violation not a moving violation. If they are non working and you use hand signals then you won’t get a MV ticket. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/8 "2000-03-24T23:19:00Z")
My guess would be that most state legislatures have enough to do raising taxes, putting additional burdens on local school districts, and looking for local pork so that they are not spending time trying to eliminate ancient highway regulations. Therefore, I suspect that most hand-signal laws are still on the books from the old days (generally with a paragraph from the 1940’s or 1950’s _allowing_ the driver to use those new-fangled blinking lights). * * * Tom~ ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/9 "2000-03-24T23:38:00Z")
From the latest update to the California Vehicle Code 22110 ( ) (a) The signals required by this chapter shall be given by signal lamp, unless a vehicle is not required to be and is not equipped with turn signals. Drivers of vehicles not required to be and not equipped with turn signals shall give a hand and arm signal when required by this chapter. (b) In the event the signal lamps become inoperable while driving, hand and arm signals shall be used in the manner required in this chapter. So, in other words, don’t use hand signals in California if you’re signal lights are working, but if they’re out, you better remember quickly what the hand signals are. ---
**Author:** ![SingleDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@SingleDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleDad)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/10 "2000-03-25T05:15:00Z")
When I took my driving test in California (ca. 1981) the instructor made me demonstrate the hand signals. Of course in Denver, turn signals are not required, indeed they are discouraged. 😉 * * * If Cecil Adams did not exist, we would be obliged to create Him. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/11 "2000-03-25T07:07:00Z")
Of course, the guy behind me will just assume I’m hanging my arm out the window any and still ram into me as I slow down to turn 😉 * * * “I guess one person can make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.” ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/12 "2000-03-25T16:26:00Z")
Heck, they do that even when you use the blinkers. ---
**Author:** ![Ursa\_Major](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@Ursa\_Major](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ursa_Major)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/13 "2000-03-25T16:33:00Z")
_Never signal a lane change!!!_ It just gives the guy behind you in that lane enough warning to speed up and keep you from merging. ---
**Author:** ![InutilisVisEst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d2c977/32.png) [@InutilisVisEst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InutilisVisEst)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/14 "2000-03-25T22:31:00Z")
The big problem with hand signals is that, as Jophiel pointed out, drivers don’t pay attention or don’t care. At least the bright little blinky things (Ooohh, pretty lights…) help catch a driver’s eye. I got rear-ended last night, despite my motorcycle being totally motionless with a working brake light and turn signal. No damage done to either vehicle (or me!) but imagine how often that would happen with hand signals. Legal or not, they’re better off use by cyclists than motorists. * * * I lead a boring life of relative unimportance. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Poto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ab992/32.png) [@Poto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poto)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/15 "2000-03-26T05:25:00Z")
I always felt silly with the hand up signal on a bicycle. I felt I should use a right hand for a right turn. They are legal for bicycles. ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/16 "2000-03-26T07:07:00Z")
I have an old MG that does not have turn signals. I use a hand signal for left turns. I do not signal for right turns. If I raise my hand, people just wave back. ---
**Author:** ![Anti\_Pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Anti\_Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anti_Pro)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2000, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manual-turn-signals/9175/17 "2000-03-26T08:10:00Z")
SingleDad pointed this out already, but when I taught my oldest son how to drive, I taught him the hand signals. They were asked that on the test, and DJ had to demonstrate he knew them when he drove with the policeman for the driving part of the examination. He told me later that it reminded him of the time when I discovered that my right blinker had burned out, it was pouring down rain but I rolled the window down, getting soaked in the process, and used the right hand signal, the driver behind me, who knows what he THINKS I did, but he started honking at me! My sons STILL think that’s funny! :o * * * “Um, according to who? Nothing more than a high brow troll, though occasionally the bi polar personality swung in a constructive direction on innocuous topics.” Omniscient