GovWire

Rule 103

Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see Signals to other road users), of your intended actions. You should always

• give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time
• use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off
• cancel them after use
• make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down
• use an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce your signal if necessary. Remember that signalling does not give you priority.

Rule 104

You should also

• watch out for signals given by other road users and proceed only when you are satisfied that it is safe
• be aware that an indicator on another vehicle may not have been cancelled.

Rule 105

You MUST obey signals given by police officers, traffic officers, traffic wardens (see Signals by authorised persons) and signs used by school crossing patrols.

Laws RTRA sect 28, RTA 1988 sect 35, TMA sect 6 & FTWO art 3

Rule 106

Police stopping procedures. If the police want to stop your vehicle they will, where possible, attract your attention by

• flashing blue lights, headlights or sounding their siren or horn, usually from behind
• directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

You MUST then pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Then switch off your engine.

Law RTA 1988 sect 163

Rule 107

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers have the power to stop vehicles on all roads, including motorways and trunk roads. They will attract your attention by flashing amber lights

• either from the front requesting you to follow them to a safe place to stop
• or from behind directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

It is an offence not to comply with their directions. You MUST obey any signals given (see Signals by authorised persons).

Laws RTA 1988 sect 67, & PRA sect 41 & sched 5(8)

Rule 108

Traffic officers have powers to stop vehicles on most motorways and some A class roads, in England and Wales. If traffic officers in uniform want to stop your vehicle on safety grounds (e.g. an insecure load) they will, where possible, attract your attention by

• flashing amber lights, usually from behind
• directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

You MUST then pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Then switch off your engine. It is an offence not to comply with their directions (see Signals by authorised persons).

Law RTA 1988 sects 35 & 163 as amended by TMA sect 6

Rule 109

Traffic light signals and traffic signs. You MUST obey all traffic light signals (see Light signals controlling traffic) and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary signals & signs (see Traffic signs). Make sure you know, understand and act on all other traffic and information signs and road markings (see Traffic signs, Road markings and Vehicle markings).

Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD schedule 3 part 4, schedule 9 parts 7 and 8, schedule 14 parts 1 and 5, schedule 7 part 6, schedule 15 part 1

Rule 110

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

Rule 111

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting yo

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