How far before a turn must you signal?

• A. 100 feet
• B. 25 feet
• C. 50 feet
• D. 200 feet

Answer: (C)

Signaling before a turn gives other drivers and pedestrians enough time to notice your intended movement and adjust their own actions accordingly. On typical Tennessee city streets, 50 feet is the practical lead time that balances being informative without becoming overly long on short blocks. This distance lets drivers behind you anticipate the turn and slow or change lanes as needed, reducing the chance of a surprise move.

If you signal too soon, you can confuse other roadway users, especially on blocks where you aren’t going to turn for a long distance. Signaling too late, like only 25 feet before, leaves insufficient time for others to react, increasing the risk of a collision. On faster or longer highways, you’d generally need a longer cue, but for standard urban driving scenarios, 50 feet is the appropriate requirement. Remember to signal before you start the turn and keep the signal on through the maneuver.