How to Use Motorcycle Hand Signals (And What They Mean)

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Ride safely and communicate with motorcycle hand gestures
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Before you hit the pavement on your motorcycle, you need to know some basic hand signals that let you communicate with other drivers. These come in handy in any situation, but especially when riding with a group of other motorcyclists. We’ll explain all the hand signs you need to know, fill you in on vital group riding safety tips, and even cover basic riding safety tips so you can enjoy smooth, safe rides anytime.

Most Common Motorcycle Hand Signs

  1. Left turn: Hold your left arm straight out with your fingers extended.
  2. Right turn: Hold your left arm bent with your fist in the air.
  3. Stop: Hold your arm bent with your open palm pointing down and facing behind you.
  4. Slow down: Hold your arm straight out with your palm down, and swing it up and down.
  5. Hazard: Point to hazards on the left with your left arm, or on the right with your right foot.
  6. Pull over: Bend your left arm and point your finger, waving it over your head.
Section 1 of 3:

Motorcycle Hand Signals

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  1. Extend your left arm straight out to tell other drivers and riders that you intend to turn left soon. Keep your fingers extended. [1]
  2. Hold your left arm up and bend your elbow 90 degrees, so that your hand is straight up in the air with your fist clenched. This tells other motorists that you intend to turn right soon. [2]
    • Alternatively, extend your right arm straight out to your right, with your fingers extended.
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  3. Hold your arm at a 90-degree angle, with your forearm pointed downward and your open palm facing behind you. This signals other riders that you intend to stop soon, or immediately, and they should, too. [3]
    • This can be done with either arm, but use the arm that’s most visible to the motorist you want to signal.
  4. When there’s an approaching road hazard on the left, point to it with your left hand. If it’s on the right, point to it with your right foot. [4]
    • Use this for potholes, construction, accidents, or any other dangerous objects or situations in the road.
  5. Straighten your arm at your side with your open palm facing up, then swing your arm upward and back down repeatedly. This signals to other motorists that you want them to speed up. [5]
  6. Hold your arm straight out from your side, with your open palm facing down. Swing your arm downward and back up repeatedly. This tells other motorists to slow down . [6]
  7. Put your left arm out at a downward angle and hold out your middle and index fingers. This is a general wave used for many casual purposes, like a greeting, thank-you, or acknowledgment of another signal. [7]
  8. Extend your arm forward, with your open palm facing forward, to signal to other motorists that you want them to follow behind you. [8]
  9. Hold your arm out low to the side, with your elbow bent and your index finger extended. Sweep your arm forward repeatedly to tell another motorist to come closer from behind you, or to pass you and take the lead. [9]
    • Alternatively, hold your arm straight and point at the motorist you want to signal, then swing your hand forward, pointing to where you want them to go.
    • This signal is also used to tell a rider to “drop off,” which is when they pull over to the side of the road to make sure riders in the back of a spread-out group know where to go.
  10. Raise your arm and point your index finger straight up to signal to other riders that they should ride in single-file. [10]
    • Riding single-file is ideal for turns, narrow roads, or roads without barriers between oncoming traffic.
  11. Raise your arm and point 2 fingers—your index and middle fingers–straight up but apart to signal to other riders that you should ride your motorcycles side-by-side. [11]
    • Riding double file is ideal for larger groups of riders and long distances, when you want to establish a greater presence on the road for visibility.
    • Never ride immediately alongside another rider. Always stagger your formation to give everyone plenty of room.
  12. Hold your left arm out straight and low, and clench your fist like you're shaking a can of paint. This tells other riders that you’re fatigued and want to stop for a rest. [12]
  13. Hold your hand in a fist and extend your thumb. Bring your thumb to your mouth like you’re taking a drink. As you do, turn your head so other riders can see the gesture. This tells others that you want to stop for food or drink. [13]
  14. Hold your arm straight out to the side and bend your elbow, with your finger pointing at your gas tank. This tells other riders that you need to stop for fuel. [14]
  15. To tell someone else that they’ve left their turn signal on by accident, extend the arm on the side that corresponds with the signal—your left arm for a left signal, and right arm for a right signal. Then, open and close your fist, like a blinking turn light. [15]
    • You might also point at the motorist to get their attention, or to specify which motorist still has their turn signal on.
  16. Extend your left arm up and out while pointing your index finger. Wave your finger over your head, side to side, while bending your arm at the elbow. This tells other motorists that you need to pull off the road immediately, and they should follow. [16]
    • This signal is often reserved for urgent situations or emergencies.
  17. Use your left palm to tap the top of your helmet to let other motorists know that there are police ahead, and they should drive extra cautiously. [17]
    • This signal is less often used to tell someone that they have their high beams on. Pay attention to the context!
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Section 2 of 3:

Motorcycle Group Safety

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  1. Before you head out, meet with the other riders. Decide on where you’re going, how you’ll get there and what route you’ll take, and how long you expect it to take or where you’d like to stop. This keeps everyone on the same page, and helps others find their way if they get lost. [18]
    • Choose who’ll ride point, and who will ride in the back, and if or when you’ll switch or rotate.
    • Also exchange contact information, if you haven’t already, and make sure each rider has a first-aid kit.
  2. When riding in a group, it’s safest to ride in formation. There are a couple of different formations, and each formation has a different purpose. Use your hand signals to communicate to other riders which formation to ride in: [19]
    • Staggered double-file: Ride 2 motorcycles wide in the lane, but avoid riding right alongside another rider. This keeps the group close, improves your visibility to other riders, and can even improve fuel economy.
    • Single-file: Ride in a single-file line. This formation is best when rounding turns and curves and entering or exiting freeways and highways.
  3. Always check your mirrors to make sure the group is together. [20] Make frequent stops, even if others aren’t signaling to stop, to check in and make sure everyone is comfortable and riding well.
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Section 3 of 3:

Riding a Motorcycle Safely

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  1. Protective gear is a must for any motorcycle ride, even short ones. Even if you’re not concerned for safety, you may be pulled over, ticketed, or be served another punishment by law enforcement for riding without proper safety equipment. Before you ride, make sure you have: [21]
    • A helmet
    • Sturdy jacket and pants
    • Sturdy boots or shoes
    • Gloves
    • A first-aid kit
    • A road maintenance kit
  2. As you ride, keep 3 seconds of distance between you and the vehicles in front and behind you. This gives you and other vehicles adequate time to react to sudden stops or other maneuvers, and ensures you’re always visible to other motorists. [22]
  3. The hand signals here are handy for any sort of motorist, and you should use them frequently. [23] That said, they’re not as well-known by drivers of cars or other vehicles, so don’t assume other drivers know what they mean.
    • If you must, communicate with more universal hand signs, or natural pantomimes.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.msi.org.za/motorcycle-hand-signals/
      2. ↑ https://www.msi.org.za/motorcycle-hand-signals/
      3. ↑ https://www.in.gov/rsi/files/motorcycle-operators-manual.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.in.gov/rsi/files/motorcycle-operators-manual.pdf
      5. ↑ https://msf-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/motorcycle-operator-manual.pdf
      6. ↑ https://msf-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/motorcycle-operator-manual.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.parking-mobility.org/2022/09/26/the-courtesy-wave/
      8. ↑ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Motorcycle%20Manual.pdf
      9. ↑ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Motorcycle%20Manual.pdf
      1. ↑ https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/S-Motorcycle%20%20Manual%2023.pdf
      2. ↑ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Motorcycle%20Manual.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/S-Motorcycle%20%20Manual%2023.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/S-Motorcycle%20%20Manual%2023.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/S-Motorcycle%20%20Manual%2023.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.in.gov/rsi/files/motorcycle-operators-manual.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.in.gov/rsi/files/motorcycle-operators-manual.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/motorcycle-hand-signals-chart/
      9. ↑ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Motorcycle%20Manual.pdf
      10. ↑ https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/S-Motorcycle%20%20Manual%2023.pdf
      11. ↑ https://www.in.gov/rsi/files/motorcycle-operators-manual.pdf
      12. ↑ https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/S-Motorcycle%20%20Manual%2023.pdf
      13. ↑ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/Motorcycle%20Manual.pdf
      14. ↑ https://msf-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/motorcycle-operator-manual.pdf

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