Giving signals

Signals tell other road users you're changing your direction or position on the road. Knowing when and how to give signals is an important part of being a safe rider.

When to give signals

You must signal for at least 3 seconds before you:

• turn left or right
• move towards the left or right – for example, when changing lanes
• stop or slow down
• move out:
  • from a parking space
  • to pass another vehicle
  • to change lanes. 

Signalling when turning right

Signalling at roundabouts

Using your indicators

Use your left indicator or hand signal when you're:

• turning left
• moving towards the left – for example, when you pull back into the left lane after passing another vehicle or you return to the kerb.

Signalling left

Left-turn hand signal

Use your right indicator or hand signal when you're:

• turning right
• moving towards the right (for example, when moving out of a parking space).

Signalling right

Right-turn hand signal

Remember to turn off your indicator. If you don’t, drivers may think you plan to turn and may pull into your path. Check your instrument panel regularly to see if you’ve left your indicator on.

Stopping

Use your brake lights or hand signal to let people behind you know that you are slowing down or stopping. Brake lights are operated by the brake levers. You can help others see you by flashing your brake lights. Tap or pull the front brake lever several times, taking care not to actually apply the brakes.

Brake lights

Stop or slowing hand signal

Hazard lights

Hazard lights are when all your indicators flash at the same time. If your motorcycle has hazard lights, you should turn them on when your vehicle becomes a temporary hazard to other road users, such as when:

• you have to stop on the side of the road because of a problem with your motorcycle
• your vehicle has broken down and is being towed.