When parking next to a curb, you should use your turn signals:
- Only when pulling away from the curb.
- When pulling next to, but not away from, the curb.
- When pulling next to or away from the curb. ✓
Answer: C. When pulling next to or away from the curb.
Use your turn signals when pulling next to the curb and when pulling away from it.
Why this is the answer
The California Driver Handbook lists signaling before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb as one of the times you should use your turn signal. It also says to signal even when you do not see other vehicles around you. That makes signaling a two-way habit at the curb: use it as you move in to park and as you leave the parking space. The parallel parking steps separately say to turn on your signal to show that you plan to park, which fits the same rule.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Only when pulling away from the curb. — Signaling only when leaving the curb misses the handbook rule to signal before you pull next to it.
- B. When pulling next to, but not away from, the curb. — Signaling only when approaching the curb leaves out the rule to signal before you pull away from it.
Remember it
Think both ways at the curb: signal on the way in and signal on the way out.