Signal
What does ‘Signal’ assess?
Signal assesses whether you let other road users know what you intend to do before you do it.
Drivers must signal their intentions to turn or diverge by indicating for at least 30 metres or three seconds before doing so. Before moving from a stationary position, they must indicate for three flashes or three seconds.
Signalling your intentions should become almost second nature. You should not have to think consciously about doing it.
When is ‘Signal’ assessed?
Competent drivers signal as part of their regular routine when they:
- turn; or
- diverge (such as, when they change lanes, merge or leave and return to the kerb).
Signal is checked more frequently by the assessor when you are performing complex driving tasks. This helps the assessor to assess whether you can use the indicators without having to think consciously about it.
How is ‘Signal’ Scored?
| YES
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NO
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| When you are moving, you turn on the appropriate indicator at least 30 metres before turning or diverging.
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You turn on the indicator less than 30 metres before turning or diverging.
You do not indicate when you turn or diverge.
You use the wrong indicator for the direction you wish to go. |
| When you are leaving a parked position, you have the indicators on for at least three seconds or three flashes before moving.
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You have the indicators on for less than three seconds or three flashes before you move from the parked position.
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| You keep the indicators on until you have finished the manoeuvre.
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You turn off the indicators before most of the vehicle has entered the new road position.
You forget to turn the indicators on again if they turn themselves off.
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| You make sure the indicators are off after finishing the manoeuvre. They should not flash more than three times after you have finished the manoeuvre.
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You leave the indicators on for more than three flashes after you finish the manoeuvre.
|
Examples of ‘Signal’
The following examples of signal are indicative of the aspects of your driving that assessor will be checking when assessing signal. You should read these examples in conjunction with Drive Safe: A Handbook for Western Australian Drivers. In the following diagrams, you are in the red car.
You use your indicators
Assessment items