Signalling on Your Driving Test in 2026: When to Indicate, When Not To, and the Faults That Cost You

Signalling looks like the easiest part of driving. Flick a stalk, a light flashes, everyone understands. Yet “signals – timing” and “signals – necessary” appear on DVSA marking sheets constantly, and plenty of learners fail a test having indicated at every single junction.

The reason is that a signal is not a box to tick. It is a message to other road users, and examiners assess whether the message was useful, correct and correctly timed. This guide covers exactly what that means on a UK practical test in 2026.

What the Examiner Is Marking

The DL25 marking sheet used on your test has three separate signal boxes:

• Signals – necessary: did you give a signal that was needed? Did you give one that was not needed and misled someone?
• Signals – correctly: did you indicate the right way? Left signal for a left turn, right for right – obvious until nerves take over.
• Signals – timed: was it early enough to be useful, and not so early that it confused people?

A single minor in one of these boxes is not a problem. Up to 15 driving faults are allowed. Signalling becomes serious when it actively misleads another road user – for example, indicating left before a side road you are not taking, causing a waiting driver to pull out in front of you.

When You Should Signal

The Highway Code’s principle is simple: signal to warn or inform other road users of your intentions, including pedestrians. In practice, on a driving test, that means:

• Before turning left or right at a junction.
• Before changing lanes on a multi-lane road.
• Before moving off from the kerb, if there is anyone to benefit – traffic behind, a pedestrian, a cyclist.
• Before pulling up on the left or right.
• On roundabouts, according to your exit (covered below).
• Before overtaking or passing a parked vehicle where the manoeuvre involves a meaningful change of course.
• Before entering or leaving a slip road on a dual carriageway.

When You Should Not Signal

This is where marks are lost, because “signal every time” feels safe and is not.

Moving off with nobody around

If the road is genuinely empty in both directions and there are no pedestrians, a signal informs nobody. It is not usually marked as a fault, but a signal given without checking first absolutely is. The observation must come before the signal, never instead of it.

Passing parked cars

Easing out to pass a parked car on a quiet residential street rarely needs a signal. Indicating right can suggest to an oncoming driver that you are turning right into a driveway or side road. If there is a following driver who benefits, signal. If not, do not.

Before a side road you are not turning into

The most dangerous signalling fault. If you indicate left too early and there is a junction before your turning, a driver waiting there may pull out. That is a genuine risk to another road user and can be marked as a serious fault.

When the road bends

A road that curves left is not a left turn. If the main carriageway bends and a side road goes straight on, follow the road without signalling.

Timing: Early Enough, Not Too Early

The right timing depends entirely on speed and road layout. Some working guidance:

• At 30mph on a residential road: signal roughly three to four car lengths before the turn – after you have passed any earlier side road.
• At 60mph on a rural road: signal much earlier, but check there is no intervening junction or driveway that would be misread.
• On a dual carriageway slip road: signal as you begin the merge, having already checked over your shoulder.
• Pulling up: signal after you have identified a safe, legal and convenient place – not before you have checked your mirrors.

The common learner error is signalling at the same moment you begin to turn the wheel. By then nobody can act on the information. The second error is signalling 200 metres out on a road with three side turnings in between.

Signalling on Roundabouts

Roundabout signalling accounts for a large share of signal faults. The standard approach:

• Turning left (first exit): signal left on approach and keep it on until you leave.
• Going straight ahead (usually second exit): no signal on approach. Signal left after you pass the exit before the one you want.
• Turning right (past 12 o’clock): signal right on approach, stay in the right-hand lane where marked, then signal left after the exit before yours.

Two practical notes. First, on mini-roundabouts everything happens quickly – a right signal on approach then a left signal as you commit is often all there is time for, and examiners understand that. Second, if the roundabout has unusual lane markings or destination-based signage, follow the road markings and signs rather than the generic rule.

Other Situations Examiners Watch

Cancelling your signal

A self-cancelling indicator does not always cancel after a gentle turn. Driving down a road with your indicator still flashing is misleading and gets marked. Glance at the dashboard after every turn – the audible click is your cue.

Signalling to thank or invite

Do not flash headlights to invite someone out and do not use indicators as a courtesy signal. The Highway Code is clear that flashing headlights means only “I am here”. On test, waving people across or flashing them out is not the standard the examiner is assessing.

Arm signals

Rarely needed, but valid, and occasionally relevant in bright sunlight or if an indicator fails. You will not normally be asked to give one on a car test.

Hazard lights

Only for warning others of a hazard – a temporary obstruction, or slowing traffic ahead on a fast road. Never used to justify stopping somewhere you should not.

How to Practise Signalling Properly

1. Commentary drive. Say out loud: “Side road on the left, not turning, no signal yet – now signalling for the turn after it.” It feels awkward for two lessons and then becomes automatic.
2. Ask your supervising driver to watch only signals for a whole drive. One focused variable produces better feedback than general comments.
3. Practise on roads with clustered junctions. That is where timing genuinely matters.
4. Drive the same roundabout ten times. Take a different exit each lap and get the signal sequence automatic.
5. Check the indicator is cancelled every time. Make it part of the same glance you use for the speedometer.

Frequently Asked Questions