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How do drivers and riders signal their intentions and use the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine?

Direction-indicator and arm signals, what each arm signal means, and the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) and PSL routines for changing speed or direction safely.

A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on signalling: direction indicators and arm signals, the meaning of each arm signal, and the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine for safe driving and riding.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.89 min answer

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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  1. What this dot point is asking
  2. The answer
  3. Examples in context
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What this dot point is asking

CCEA wants you to know how road users signal - by direction indicators, brake lights and arm signals - what each arm signal means, and the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine that underpins safe driving and riding. The slowing-down arm signal and the MSM routine are tested in both the written paper and the practical riding activity.

The answer

How drivers and riders signal

Signals tell other road users what you intend to do. The main signals are:

  • Direction indicators (flashing amber lights) - to show you intend to turn or move left or right.
  • Brake lights - come on automatically to show you are slowing or stopping.
  • Arm signals - used by drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists where extra clarity is needed, or where a vehicle (such as a moped) cannot give the signal any other way.
  • Hazard warning lights - to warn that the vehicle is temporarily obstructing traffic, or (on a motorway) to warn of a queue ahead.

You should signal clearly and in good time, and cancel the signal afterwards.

The arm signals

Learn the three main arm signals and their meaning:

On a moped or motorcycle the slowing-down signal must be given by arm (the right arm moved up and down), because the rider cannot give it any other way - this is assessed in the Unit 3 practical riding activity.

When arm signals are still needed

Even with working indicators, an arm signal may be needed to reinforce your intention:

  • To confirm your intention to a police officer or traffic warden directing traffic.
  • To make sure pedestrians at a crossing have seen you.
  • In bright sunlight, when flashing indicators can be hard to see.

The Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine

Every change of speed or direction should follow a set routine so that you act on good information.

The manoeuvre stage is often expanded into Position - Speed - Look (PSL): get into the correct position, adjust to the correct speed, and take a final look before completing the move. The whole sequence is sometimes written MSPSL (Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed, Look).

Worked example: pulling out to overtake

Examples in context

Example 1. Confirming to a pedestrian. At a crossing in low sun a driver gives a right-arm signal as well as the indicator so a waiting pedestrian clearly sees that the car is turning.

Example 2. The riding test slowing-down signal. Approaching a stop in the Unit 3 riding activity, the candidate gives the slowing-down signal with the right arm before braking, then both hands return to the handlebars to brake.

Try this

Q1. What does a right arm held straight out from the shoulder mean? [1 mark]

  • Cue. I intend to turn right (or move out to the right).

Q2. What do the three letters MSM stand for? [1 mark]

  • Cue. Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre.

Q3. Give one situation where a driver should use an arm signal as well as the indicators. [2 marks]

  • Cue. Any one of: to confirm to a police officer directing traffic; to make sure pedestrians have seen you; in bright sunlight when indicators are hard to see.

Exam-style practice questions

Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.

CCEA style3 marksA motorcyclist extends their right arm straight out from the shoulder. According to the Highway Code, what does this arm signal mean? Give one situation where an arm signal would be used instead of, or as well as, the indicators.
Show worked answer →

A right arm held straight out from the shoulder means "I intend to turn right (or move out to the right)".

An arm signal would be used as well as, or instead of, the indicators when extra confirmation is needed - for example to reinforce the message to a police officer directing traffic, to pedestrians at a crossing, or in bright sunlight when the flashing indicators may be hard to see; on a moped or motorcycle the slowing-down signal must be given by arm because the machine has no brake-light arm signal.

Markers reward: right arm out = turning/moving right, plus one valid situation (poor visibility of indicators, confirming to a police officer or pedestrian, or the moped slowing-down signal).

CCEA style4 marksExplain what each step of the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine involves and why following it improves safety.
Show worked answer →

Mirror - check your mirrors (and, where needed, a blind-spot/shoulder check) to know exactly what is behind and beside you before doing anything.

Signal - if necessary, signal clearly and in good time so other road users know your intention.

Manoeuvre - carry out the move (turn, change lane, slow down or stop), often broken down further into Position, Speed, Look (PSL).

It improves safety because you gather information first, then communicate your intention, then act - so you never change speed or direction without knowing what is around you, and others have time to react.

Markers reward a correct description of each step plus the idea that checking and communicating before acting reduces collisions.

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