Why YSK: Your signals alert other drivers as to what you’re doing; a signal bulb costs a few bucks and is usually a quick and easy repair to do yourself (consult YouTube); and any place that regulates motor vehicles probably requires you to have working turn signals. So knowing when and how to replace a burned out signal bulb can save you an interaction with law enforcement.
Adding: You can diagnose which bulb is out by turning on your hazard lights and checking all four corners of your car. It’ll be the one not flashing.
This is also probably a good time to check your brake lights. Put something heavy on the pedal or have a friend hold it down and check that all three brake lights illuminate. Replacing a burned out brake light is also usually pretty cheap, quick, and easy.
A brick
One good way to make sure it isn’t working
Reminds me of that jokes about the two hunters in the woods.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“Help, my friend got bit by a snake, and I think he’s dead!”
“Stay calm, and check to make sure if he’s actually dead.”
BLAM
“Okay, he’s definitely dead”
I think he meant “putting a brick on the brake in order to check yourself” but I guess throwing the brike on the lights also work.