Turns, lanes, passing and parking
You plan to change lanes on a multi-lane road. What is the minimum distance the law sets for signaling before the lane change?
- 100 feet Correct answer
- 200 feet
- 50 feet
Why
New York uses the same distance for turns and lane changes: turn signal lamps or hand and arm signals at least 100 feet before you move over. The idea is that other road users need time to see what you are about to do. The other two numbers come from different rules in the manual. 200 feet is the distance an oncoming vehicle must still be from you when you finish passing on a two-way road, and 50 feet is the no-parking zone around a railroad crossing. A good habit the manual adds for turns: when possible, signal before you start braking. Whether you are turning or only moving over a lane, the distance to remember is the same 100 feet.
Where this comes from
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), April 2026 version. The correct answer is 100 feet.
More on turns, lanes, passing and parking
- You are making a right turn onto a road with several lanes, and no signs tell you otherwise. Which lane should you turn into?
- You are on a one-way road and will turn left onto another one-way road that has two lanes. How should you make the turn?
- You have pulled into an intersection and are waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so you can turn left. How should your front wheels be pointed while you wait?
- You want to make a U-turn near the top of a hill. Other drivers can see your car only from about 300 feet away. May you make the U-turn there?