What is the penalty for not using turn signals when turning?

[Roman]

In default situations (such as changing lanes or turning), failing to indicate with turn signals violates the regulation on proper use of vehicle lights. According to traffic laws, improper use of lights can result in a fine ranging from 20 to 200 RMB and a 1-point deduction on the driver's license. Here are relevant regulations: 1. When overtaking: National regulations stipulate that when overtaking, motor vehicles must activate the left turn signal in advance, alternate between high and low beams, or sound the horn. 2. Use of turn signals: The left turn signal must be activated in advance when making a left turn, changing to the left lane, preparing to overtake, leaving a parking spot, or making a U-turn. The right turn signal must be activated in advance when making a right turn, changing to the right lane, returning to the original lane after overtaking, or parking by the roadside.

[LouisRose]

Last time I saw my buddy driving, he was too lazy to use his turn signals when turning, and after getting caught three times, he really learned his lesson. Nowadays, in most parts of the country, the first offense will cost you 100-200 yuan, but the real pain is the points deduction! Just one missed turn signal can cost you 1 point, and you only have 12 points on your license. The worst part is getting caught at a neighborhood intersection or on a rainy day—sometimes the police will add a dangerous driving penalty, bumping the fine up to 300 yuan. I’ve seen the unluckiest case where someone lightly brushed against an e-bike while turning, and because of this small detail of not signaling, they ended up bearing full responsibility and paying thousands in compensation. A word to the wise: with surveillance cameras everywhere now, one slip-up is all it takes to land you in the records.

[DiTeagan]

Traffic regulations are now strictly enforcing turn signal violations. In my years as a ride-hailing driver, I've noticed young car owners are most prone to getting caught. Last month while dropping off a passenger at the high-speed rail station, I was pulled over immediately after turning into the service lane. The officer used a bodycam to record my front wheel direction, resulting in a 150-yuan fine plus penalty points. The real damage was beyond the ticket: our platform's driver rating dropped a star, leading to 20% fewer ride requests. These violations have high detection rates, especially during rush hours at intersections where traffic officers watch meticulously. Developing the turn signal habit is literally just a finger flick away.

[MacKeira]

From the perspective of fines, the most basic penalty is a 100-yuan fine with 1 point deducted. However, when I helped my dad handle a traffic violation last year, I discovered that penalties can accumulate progressively. He was caught three times in three months for not using turn signals, and on the third occasion, he was summoned by the traffic police for an interview and required to complete four hours of safety training. Such violations become even more troublesome during car insurance renewal—when the insurance agent checked the records and saw multiple instances of failing to use turn signals, the premium was directly increased by 5%. If you fail to use turn signals in situations like yielding to school buses or giving priority to ambulances, you’ll likely face the maximum fine of 300 yuan. The key issue now is that reporting violations is incentivized—if a passerby captures the violation on their phone and uploads it to a reporting platform, the process becomes even more complicated.

[AmaraLee]

Over a dozen new turning monitoring probes were installed in our area, and I got flashed last week on my way to buy groceries. Checked the record on Traffic Management 12123: 1 point deducted and a 100-yuan fine. Specifically asked the officer on duty, who said fines vary significantly across provinces. In special zones like Shenzhen, it's at least 300 yuan; on Inner Mongolia's grassland highways, warnings are more common; but tourist cities generally enforce strictly. The officer also shared a tip: if the first car at an intersection signals, following cars might avoid fines by turning together. But note that turning from a bus lane requires signaling at least three seconds in advance—they catch every violation of this rule.

[LaKylie]

The act of using turn signals may seem minor, but the cost of neglecting it is substantial. Last week, my neighbor was pulled over for not signaling while picking up his child. When presenting his documents, the officer discovered it was a commercial vehicle (he was driving a rented car for passenger transport), resulting in a doubled fine of 400 yuan. What's worse, during rainy days when road markings are unclear, even if the police don't catch you on the spot, they can still issue a ticket afterward using dashcam footage as evidence. At my auto repair shop, we often see drivers who tried to save those three seconds end up spending hundreds to clear penalty points. Especially at highway exits, consecutive lane changes without signaling can result in multiple violations being recorded—losing all 12 points on your license is no empty threat.