Is there a right turn waiting gesture?
2 Answers
There is a right turn waiting gesture. The gesture for waiting to make a right turn is when the traffic police officer extends their left arm forward with the palm facing forward, indicating that vehicles directly ahead should stop; then the officer turns their head to face the right, and their right arm and palm swing straight to the left front with the palm facing left, indicating to the vehicles that the officer is facing to make a right turn. Right turn signal: When making a right turn, changing lanes to the right, returning to the original lane after overtaking, or parking by the roadside, the right turn signal should be activated in advance. When exiting a roundabout, the right turn signal should be used to alert vehicles behind and oncoming vehicles. This is a clear stipulation in the new traffic regulations. Previously, many drivers would use the left turn signal when entering a roundabout. Left turn signal: When making a left turn, changing lanes to the left, preparing to overtake, leaving a parking spot, or making a U-turn, the left turn signal should be activated in advance; because entering a highway involves turning left, while exiting a highway involves turning right. Similarly, when entering a main road from a side road, the left turn signal should be used.
I remember when I first started driving, I was always curious if there was a specific hand signal for waiting to make a right turn. Actually, there isn't a separate waiting-to-turn signal because standard driving hand signals are mainly used to directly indicate turning movements. For example, when turning right, you should extend your left arm out of the car window, bend it at a 90-degree angle upward with your fist pointing up—this tells others that you're turning right. At an intersection waiting at a traffic light to turn, if necessary, I would make this signal in advance to indicate my intention, so vehicles behind me and pedestrians can clearly see that I'm not going straight or stopping. Of course, nowadays most vehicles have turn signals, so hand signals are rarely used, but they can still be quite useful if the turn signals are broken or on older vehicles. For safety, I’m used to using hand signals along with flashing hazard lights at night or in the rain to increase visibility. The key is to observe the intersection dynamics carefully—don’t rely solely on hand signals and misjudge the timing. Staying calm while driving helps avoid accidents. New drivers, don’t worry—just read the driving manual and practice with videos, and you’ll get the hang of it. Over time, it will feel natural and safe.
