Turn Signal Rules in NY: The 100-Foot Rule

By Amir

Turn Signal Rules in NY: The 100-Foot Rule

In New York, the law requires you to signal every turn and every lane change at least 100 feet before you make it, using your turn signals or hand signals. Signal before you start to brake, keep the signal on until you finish, and make sure it turns off afterward. Missed signals are a common mark on the road test.

Reviewed by Michael, Professional Driving Instructor
Last updated: October 12, 2026

This guide covers when New York expects you to signal, the three hand signals, and the habits that keep your signals clear to everyone around you.

Table of Contents

Turn Signal Rules in NY: The 100-Foot Rule

Why Signaling Matters

A signal is the only way other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians know what you are about to do. Most crashes happen at intersections when a driver turns, so a late or missing signal takes away the warning everyone else is counting on. On the road test, the examiner watches for it on every turn, lane change and pull-out.

Signals work best together with good lane habits. Before you change lanes, make sure you are staying centered in your lane and have checked your mirror and blind spot.

How to Make a Clean Turn

Signal early, before you start to brake, so the drivers behind you know why you are slowing down. Keep both hands on the wheel as you turn, and leave the signal on until the turn is complete. Then make sure it turns off, because a signal left blinking tells other drivers you are about to turn again.

When New York Expects You to Signal

Situation	What to do
Turning at an intersection	Signal at least 100 feet before the turn, ideally before you start braking
Changing lanes	Signal at least 100 feet ahead, check your mirror and blind spot, then move
Pulling out from the curb or a parking space	Signal before you move into traffic
Pulling over to the curb	Signal before you slow and move right
Leaving an expressway	Signal at least 100 feet before the exit ramp. New to expressways? Read our tips for your first highway drive
Leaving a roundabout	Turn on your right signal as you approach your exit
Three-point turn	Signal right to pull over, then left before you turn across the road

From the NY Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Chapter 8 and Chapter 10.

Slowing down and stopping are shown by your brake lights, not your turn signal, and your reverse lights tell others when you are backing up.

Hand Signals in New York

If your signals stop working, New York allows hand signals, given with your left arm out of the driver's window:

Left turn: arm straight out to the side.
Right turn: arm out, bent up at the elbow.
Stop or slow down: arm out, bent down at the elbow.

Should You Use Turn Signals in Parking Lots?

Yes. Parking lots are full of people walking and cars backing out, so signal when you turn down an aisle and when you pull into or out of a space. It costs nothing and gives everyone a moment to react.

Using Turn Signals When No Cars Are Around

Signal anyway. Signaling should be a habit, even when the road looks empty. Experienced drivers signal without thinking about it, and that habit protects the cyclist or pedestrian you did not notice.

Conclusion

Good signaling is a habit, and habits are built with practice. Signal 100 feet early, cancel it when you finish, and pair every signal with a mirror and shoulder check. If you want an instructor to coach those habits before your road test, compare options on driving packages.

Choose your borough:

Build road test habits with an instructor: see driving packages

See Driving Packages

Not sure which package fits? Call the Drive Rite CSR team.

About the author

Amir writes for Drive Rite Academy, a driving school serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Reviewed by

Michael, Professional Driving Instructor at Drive Rite Academy.

How we made this guide

We checked every rule in this guide on the official New York DMV and New York City pages listed below on October 12, 2026. Rules can change, so check the linked pages before you go. If you spot something out of date, let us know and we will fix it.

Sources: NY DMV, Driver's Manual Chapter 5: Intersections and Turns; NY DMV, Driver's Manual Chapter 8: Defensive Driving; NY DMV, Driver's Manual Chapter 10: Special Driving Conditions.

Turn Signal Rules in NY: The 100-Foot Rule