Are hand signals still legal?

[briantroutman]

I recall that Pennsylvania's driver's manual still included (as of about 2000) the official hand signals for making turns and braking. I believe the manual mentioned it as kind of a backup in case your turn signals stopped working.

But there was a time (up until about the '50s) when the hand signal was still considered primary and any lighted turn signals or little semaphore arms that stuck out from the car's body were considered conveniences for the driver–niceties but not required.

Subsequent federal legislation has mandated that manufacturers build flashing turn signals into new cars, but is it still legal to use hand signals (instead of turn signals)?

[corco]

I know it is in the states I have lived in recently- actually I think it's probably legal everywhere because bicycles are required to use them, and you are required to use them if your turn signal bulb is burnt out.

[Dr Frankenstein]

I'm pretty sure my driver's manual (Québec, Canada) still had them in 2006.

I had to use them last fall when my alternator stopped working (the dashboard cluster was long gone, I had just enough left to fire the spark plugs on the few blocks separating me from home; I almost made it). I'm not sure anyone understood what I was signaling.

I use them on my bike... unlike pretty much everyone else.

[SR669]

In Virginia, as far as I know, it works as corco described it...except that very few people seem to actually use them.

[freebrickproductions]

Alabama still allows it as far as I know. I'll have to check the drivers manual though.

[SignBridge]

My 2010 copy of the New York State Drivers' Manual still has illustrations of hand signals and says you must use either a hand-signal or the car's turn signals.

[formulanone]

Florida required them, probably still do...I had to make a "right turn signal" (left arm up) as part of my driving test. Motorcycle riders still use them often.

[Mr. Matté]

I'd hope they'd still be legal. If my signals went out for some reason, I'm not gonna think to myself, "Well my blinkers broke and since hand signals are now illegal, I guess I'll have to drive like a Pennsylvanian now."

[briantroutman]

I think some of you may be misunderstanding what I mean. I'm not wondering whether hand signals are legal in the event that your signals are broken, if you're in an old car that doesn't have turn signals, or if you're on a bike. Clearly, it's legal (and required) in those cases. What I'm wondering is whether or not it's legal to use hand signals as an alternative to perfectly working turn signals in a modern car.

You're in a 2010 Honda Civic; signals work perfectly; bulbs are fine. But out of preference, you make a right-turn hand signal and move into an exit ramp. Can you be cited for not signaling?

[SidS1045]

Still required knowledge to get a license in Massachusetts.

[DaBigE]

Wisconsin has an interesting way of discussing hand signals in their motorists' handbook. No mention about if your lights are broken or malfunctioning, but instead how they can be used in addition to functioning electronic turn signals.

Hand signals: Sometimes, in addition to using your turn signals, hand and arm signals may be used. An example would be when bright sunlight can make it hard for other drivers to see your flashing turn signals, or when driving an antique vehicle (one manufactured before July 1, 1958) that may not be equipped with turn signals.

[briantroutman]

Hand signals: Sometimes, in addition to using your turn signals...

Now that, to me, looks like pretty clear evidence that you could be cited for using hand signals alone in a modern car with working turn signals–at least in Wisconsin.

[roadman]

Still required knowledge to get a license in Massachusetts.

When I took my Massachusetts driver's road test in the mid-1970s, the examiner not only had me demonstrate the hand signals to him, but made me use them during the test as well.

[DaBigE]

Hand signals: Sometimes, in addition to using your turn signals...

Now that, to me, looks like pretty clear evidence that you could be cited for using hand signals alone in a modern car with working turn signals–at least in Wisconsin.

State Statues clarify the horribly-written DMV statement:

Method of giving signals on turning and stopping. Whenever a stop or turn signal is required by s. 346.34, such signal may in any event be given by a signal lamp or lamps of a type meeting the specifications set forth in s. 347.15. Except as provided in s. 347.15 (3m), such signals also may be given by the hand and arm in lieu of or in addition to signals by signal lamp. When given by hand and arm, such signals, except signals by the operator of a bicycle, who may use either hand and arm, shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner ...

[1995hoo]

I think some of you may be misunderstanding what I mean. I'm not wondering whether hand signals are legal in the event that your signals are broken, if you're in an old car that doesn't have turn signals, or if you're on a bike. Clearly, it's legal (and required) in those cases. What I'm wondering is whether or not it's legal to use hand signals as an alternative to perfectly working turn signals in a modern car.

You're in a 2010 Honda Civic; signals work perfectly; bulbs are fine. But out of preference, you make a right-turn hand signal and move into an exit ramp. Can you be cited for not signaling?

I used a hand signal one day two or three years ago in my RX-7 when I was in front of a cop but my left arm was resting on the door and I didn't feel like moving it to use the blinker (which worked fine). Cop didn't give me any trouble.

[GaryV]

Michigan's "What Every Driver Must Know" shows the hand signals (p. 89 ff):  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/wedmk_16312_7.pdf

It states, "Communicate to other drivers by giving the required signal, either using your left hand and arm, or your vehicle's turn signal."

[jakeroot]

Here's the law for both of my jurisdictions:

Revised code of Washington (state) 46.61.310: Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps

(1) Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) hereof.

     (2) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty-four inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen feet. The latter measurements shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles.

British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act of 1996: Definition 151: Driving on Laned Roadway

A driver who is driving a vehicle on a laned roadway...

    (c) must not drive it from one lane to another without first signalling his or her intention to do so by hand and arm or approved mechanical device in the manner prescribed by sections 171 and 172

[WichitaRoads]

In Kansas, they absolutely are legal. The Handbook illustrates them (with old 50s style artwork), and you need to know them possibly on the exams. As well, I JUST taught them in Driver Ed today (second time I've reviewed it in the class), so I would HOPE it's still legal!

ICTRds

[SidS1045]

When I took my Massachusetts driver's road test in the mid-1970s, the examiner not only had me demonstrate the hand signals to him, but made me use them during the test as well.

Same with me, in January 1968.  When my wife took her road test in 1995, she had to demonstrate them to the examiner, but was allowed to use the car's signals for the road test.

[roadfro]

I couldn't find any mention of hand signals in the Nevada Revised Statutes.

However, the hand signals are still covered in the driver instruction manual online. Also, I do recall demonstrating the hand signals to my road test examiner (before beginning the drive portion of the test, not on the road) when I took my driver license test about 14 years ago.

[agentsteel53]

When I took my Massachusetts driver's road test in the mid-1970s, the examiner not only had me demonstrate the hand signals to him, but made me use them during the test as well.

Same with me, in January 1968.  When my wife took her road test in 1995, she had to demonstrate them to the examiner, but was allowed to use the car's signals for the road test.

I took my test in 1997, with the same experience as your wife.  I had to demonstrate them before we left the parking lot.

[ET21]

I've seen motorcyclists use them, so I'm assuming yes it is still legal

[hm insulators]

When I took my Massachusetts driver's road test in the mid-1970s, the examiner not only had me demonstrate the hand signals to him, but made me use them during the test as well.

Same with me, in January 1968.  When my wife took her road test in 1995, she had to demonstrate them to the examiner, but was allowed to use the car's signals for the road test.

I took my test in 1997, with the same experience as your wife.  I had to demonstrate them before we left the parking lot.

I took my driving test in Hawaii and I had to demonstrate the hand signals before we left the parking lot.

[signalman]

I remember hand signals being in the NJ driver manual in the mid 1990s when I was learning to drive.  I don't remember being asked to perform them on the road test, however.

I remember having to use hand signals while driving my first car when a turn signal light burnt out.  I was on my way to the auto parts store to get a replacement bulb and I encountered a cop waiting to pull out of a side street.  I used a hand signal to tell him that I was planning on turning on to the street he was waiting to pull out from.  He nodded in acknowledgement and then performed his turn as I performed mine. 

As others have noted, I've seen motorcyclists use them.  I've also seen drivers of very old cars use them.  They're about the only examples that I can think of.

[Duke87]

I know it is in the states I have lived in recently- actually I think it's probably legal everywhere because bicycles are required to use them, and you are required to use them if your turn signal bulb is burnt out.

CT had them in the drivers' manual when I was learning to drive (2004-05), and that is how they were taught: to make sure drivers understood what they meant when bicyclists use them, and so that drivers can use them if their turn signals are out. But there were no questions on the test about it.

As for "bicycles are required to use them"... heh. Living in New York City, I encounter bicyclists while driving pretty regularly. Times in my entire life where I have seen a bicyclist use a hand signal: one. I was in Key West (yes, Florida). And it was so unexpected that when I saw the guy making a hand signal pointing left, my first reaction was to look left wondering "what the fuck is this guy pointing at?". Then I saw him move over to the left in preparation for a turn and I started laughing. I was completely floored that someone on a bike was actually making use of a hand signal. You're not supposed to warn other people on the road before you make a move!