Permis PrêtHand signals: what do they mean, and when must you use them?
The driver’s hand signals when turn signals or brake lights don’t work, and the signals cyclists give.
Short answer: drivers signal with their turn signals. Hand signals are required only if the vehicle doesn’t have to be equipped with turn signals or brake lights, or if those lights are defective: arm straight out to turn left, forearm up to turn right, forearm down to slow down or stop. Cyclists must give an arm signal before every turn, unless doing so would put their safety at risk.
Drivers: turn signals come first
Before turning, changing lanes, making a U-turn or pulling back onto the road from the shoulder or a parking area, a driver must signal with the turn signals and make sure the manoeuvre is safe (Code de la sécurité routière, Quebec’s Highway Safety Code, s. 372). To pass, the driver also uses the turn signals and may flash the headlights as well (s. 376).
Hand signals become mandatory in two situations (ss. 373 and 374):
- the vehicle is exempt from having turn signals or brake lights;
- those lights are defective.
The signal must be given continuously and over a sufficient distance so as not to endanger other road users (s. 375). The SAAQ’s Conduire un véhicule de promenade handbook reminds drivers to use hand signals to show their intentions when needed.
The driver’s three signals
The arm is placed outside the vehicle:
| Intention | Driver’s signal | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Turn left | Arm held out horizontally | s. 373 |
| Turn right | Forearm held vertically, pointing up | s. 373 |
| Slow down or stop | Forearm held vertically, pointing down | s. 374 |
Cyclists: the arm signal is the rule
The Code requires cyclists to signal before turning, continuously and over a sufficient distance (s. 490):
| Intention | Cyclist’s signal |
|---|---|
| Turn left | Left arm held out horizontally |
| Turn right | Left forearm held vertically, pointing up, or right arm held out horizontally |
Section 490 covers turns only: it sets no slow-down signal for cyclists. It also excuses cyclists from signalling if doing so would put their safety at risk; the Guide de la route repeats this (ch. 4, “Le cycliste”).
Riders of electric scooters and other motorized personal mobility devices give the same signals as cyclists, or use turn signals if the device has them (Pilot project concerning the use of motorized personal mobility devices, s. 24).
What drivers should take from this
- A cyclist may turn without raising an arm if signalling would be unsafe, so the SAAQ asks drivers to be extra careful with cyclists at intersections (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 4, “Avec les cyclistes”).
- A cyclist holding the right arm straight out is signalling a right turn, not a left turn.
- If your turn signals or brake lights are defective, hand signals become mandatory.
Failing to signal manoeuvres properly (ss. 372 to 376) exposes a driver to a $100 to $200 fine (s. 509). A cyclist who breaks s. 490 faces an $80 to $100 fine (s. 504).
Key points for the test
- Drivers: hand signals only when turn signals or brake lights are absent (exempt vehicle) or defective.
- Arm straight out = left turn; forearm up = right turn; forearm down = slowing down or stopping.
- Cyclist turning right: left forearm up or right arm straight out.
- Signal continuously and over a sufficient distance.
Original questions with an explanation and a source, “Highway Safety Code” section.
Practise for free
See also
- Free SAAQ practice test: 15 questions
- Passing a cyclist in Quebec: how much distance do you need?
- Blind spots: how do you check them, and when?
- Roundabout rules in Quebec: who yields, and when to signal?
Official sources
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 372 to 376, 490, 504 and 509
- Pilot project concerning the use of motorized personal mobility devices (CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 39.1.002), s. 24
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 4, “Signaler ses intentions et sa présence” and “Le cycliste”
- SAAQ, Conduire un véhicule de promenade (2022, French), ch. 4, “Communiquer sa présence et ses intentions” and “Avec les cyclistes”
General information page, current as of 2026-10-29. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.