Official Driving School Segment 1 Practice Test

You need to signal long enough before turning or changing lanes so other drivers have time to notice and react. The standard distance for this is 100 ft. That gives about two seconds of warning at typical city speeds, letting following drivers see your signal, judge your speed, and adjust their own path safely. Signaling much shorter (like 50 ft) leaves less time for others to react, increasing the chance of last-minute moves. Signaling much longer (200 ft or 300 ft) can be unnecessary in many urban situations and may confuse other drivers if your plan changes or you’re still signaling when you’ve already turned. The 100 ft rule hits a practical balance, offering clear warning without overextending the signal.