How many points are deducted for not using the turn signal in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Failing to use the turn signal when turning in Subject 3 deducts 10 points. Deduction standards for turn signals in Subject 3: Turning the steering wheel without using the turn signal for at least 3 seconds deducts 100 points, failing to observe the traffic ahead when turning at an intersection deducts 100 points, not actively yielding to vehicles, pedestrians, or non-motorized vehicles with the right of way deducts 100 points, entering an intersection when it is blocked deducts 100 points, etc. Subject 3 test items: Vehicle preparation, starting, driving straight, gear shifting, changing lanes, pulling over, passing through intersections, left turns at intersections, right turns at intersections, passing pedestrian crossings 10 times, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting other vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving.
When I was taking the driving test for Subject 3, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the importance of turn signals. The slightest mistake could cause you to fail. Forgetting to signal when changing lanes or turning would immediately deduct 100 points and end the test on the spot. One student was so focused on the distance during parallel parking that they forgot to signal when turning the steering wheel. Even more frustrating, some students did signal but moved the steering wheel before the full three seconds, which counts as failing to use the turn signal as required, also resulting in a 100-point deduction. I’ve seen too many people fail because of this detail. My advice is to develop muscle memory during practice—always signal before changing direction, count to three silently, and then move the wheel.
As a frequently invigilating instructor, the deduction for turn signal issues in Subject 3 is extremely strict. Failing to activate the turn signal once results in a 100-point deduction, covering over a dozen scenarios including starting, turning, overtaking, etc. More commonly, candidates turn on the signal but close it prematurely or fail to turn it off after completing the maneuver, which incurs a 10-point deduction. However, during consecutive lane changes, if the signal is flashed only two or three times before being turned off each time, accumulating two such instances is considered improper usage and leads to immediate failure. In actual exams, nearly 30% of failures are due to turn signal mistakes. It's recommended to have the instructor in the passenger seat focus on this issue during practice sessions.
