Tennessee Drivers Now Required to Learn Bicycle Hand Signals

CHATTANOOGA, TN(WDEF) — A new state law taking effect this month requires all new drivers in Tennessee to understand the hand signals used by bicyclists on the road.

The move is designed to improve communication between drivers and cyclists, especially on roads where bike lanes are not available. The law focuses on three essential signals: letting drivers know when a cyclist plans to turn left, turn right, or slow down and stop.

Russell Shoup, Assistant Commissioner of Administration for the Tennessee Department of Safety, says the change is part of a broader effort to update driver education and manuals. “The biggest piece of this is for us to update our written test for motorists, but in conjunction with that, it’s also updating our manuals for drivers and making sure that they understand the basic, basic signals for motorists,” Shoup said.

The new requirement will be added to driver education programs statewide, ensuring that new drivers are familiar with bicycle hand signals before getting behind the wheel.

Tennessee drivers are encouraged to review the updated driver manuals and become familiar with the key hand signals to promote safety for everyone on the road.