UK arm signals (Highway Code)

How to read it

The Highway Code gives arm signals “for use when direction indicator signals are not used, or when necessary to reinforce direction indicator signals and stop lights”, and “also for use by pedal cyclists and those in charge of horses”. It lists three: “I intend to move in to the left or turn left”, “I intend to move out to the right or turn right” and “I intend to slow down or stop”, each shown in a photograph for a driver and for a cyclist, without a written description. Ireland’s Road Traffic Regulations 1997 describe the same three in words. Drivers in both countries give them with the right arm, from the right-hand window.

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The signals one by one

The descriptions are those of Ireland’s Road Traffic Regulations, and the Highway Code’s photographs show the same positions.

How they differ from the US signals

US drivers signal from the left window, and their stop or slow signal is the arm bent down at the elbow (Stop or slow down hand signal), with a right turn as the arm bent up (Right turn hand signal). In the UK the arm stays straight for slowing down, and the movement up and down is the signal. Hong Kong’s Road Users’ Code, also for traffic on the left, describes its cyclists’ slowing-down signal the same way: the arm level with the shoulder, palm facing downwards, moved up and down at least three times.

When they are used

Rule 103 of the Highway Code mentions an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce a driver’s signal if necessary, and adds that signalling does not give priority.