Question: I have some new drivers in our house. We were talking the other day and they didn’t know what “hand signs” were. Could you write about it to inform others who may not be aware of it?

Response: Congratulations to the new drivers. It’s an exciting and worrying time as you help them gain more experience and confidence as they go through the process.

When the signal is given by means of the hand and arm, the driver shall indicate his intention to start, stop or turn by extending his hand and arm from and beyond the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and these signals shall indicate the following :

• Left turn: Hand and arm extended horizontally.
• Right turn: Hand and arm extended upward, except that a cyclist or motorcyclist may extend the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle or motorcycle.
• Stop or reduce speed: Hand and arm extended downwards.

Send questions about traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota to: Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol, 1000 Highway 10 W., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. Follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at [email protected].