Stop or slow down hand signal
A driver’s left arm out of the window with the forearm pointing down means they are stopping or slowing down. US state vehicle codes define it as the hand and arm extended downward.
Easily confused with
How to read it
California Vehicle Code §22111 calls it the “stop or sudden decrease of speed signal”, given with the “hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the vehicle”. Florida’s §316.157 and New York’s §1165 name it “stop or decrease speed”, with the hand and arm extended downward. Slowing down and stopping share the one signal. The California, Texas and Pennsylvania handbooks draw it as the arm out of the window and bent down at the elbow, the reverse of the right turn signal.
Also searched as: arm down signal, decrease speed hand signal, hand signal for stopping, slow down hand signal, stop signal hand.
Rules vary by state and country. This explains what each signal means in the state vehicle codes, driver handbooks and the UK Highway Code it cites; it isn’t legal advice.
When it is given
Florida’s §316.155 says no one may stop or suddenly slow a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver behind “when there is opportunity to give such signal”. The California Driver’s Handbook lists a hand signal when slowing and stopping as one of the ways to warn drivers behind of a collision or hazard ahead, with emergency flashers and tapping the brake pedal three or four times. The Texas Driver Handbook pairs the signal with pumping the brakes a few times to attract attention.
The UK’s slowing-down signal
In the UK the signal for slowing down or stopping is not a bent arm. The Highway Code shows the driver’s arm held straight out of the window and moved up and down, and Ireland’s Road Traffic Regulations describe it as the right arm extended fully, palm turned downwards, moved slowly upwards and downwards. See UK arm signals (Highway Code).
Read next
- Next in Driving and cycling hand signalsBike left turn signalA cyclist’s left arm held straight out to the side means they are about to turn left, the same signal a driver gives.
- The same shape in Packaging symbolsTidyman (litter bin symbol)A reminder not to drop litter. It is a trademark of the charity Keep Britain Tidy and says nothing about whether the packaging can be recycled.
More driving and cycling hand signals
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with lines.
Sources
- California Vehicle Code §22111, Cal. Veh. Code §22111 (amended 1976), California Legislative Information, §22111(a)–(c)
- Florida Statutes §316.157: Method of giving hand and arm signals, Fla. Stat. §316.157 (2026), The Florida Legislature, §316.157(1)(a)–(c)
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1165: Method of giving hand-and-arm signals, N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §1165, New York State Senate, §1165(1)–(3)
- California Driver’s Handbook: Introduction to driving (Signaling), California Driver’s Handbook, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Signaling; Communicating with other drivers
- Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), DL-7, revised January 2026, chapters 6 and 9, Texas Department of Public Safety, Chapter 6, How to Signal; Bicycles, Do’s
- Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95), PUB 95 (4-21), chapter 3, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Chapter 3, Signaling when changing direction; Hand signals (p. 44)
- Florida Statutes §316.155: When signal required, Fla. Stat. §316.155 (2026), The Florida Legislature, §316.155(2)–(3)
- The Highway Code: Signals to other road users, The Highway Code (updated 22 October 2025), Department for Transport (GOV.UK), Arm signals
- Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, Second Schedule: Signals, S.I. No. 182 of 1997, Second Schedule, Table A, Law Reform Commission of Ireland (Revised Acts), Table A: Signals to other road users
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. How we research
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