Warning signs · W8-1
Bump sign
Archive file: W08-01 Bump/W08-01 Bump 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
A sharp rise in the road surface is ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.26, paragraph 01, PDF page 214.
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Meaning
Bump warns of a sharp rise in the road surface ahead. Alabama tells drivers to reduce speed for the bump. The warning concerns a vertical change in the pavement rather than a turn in the route.
What to do
Reduce speed before reaching the raised section. Use the advance warning to adjust before the wheels reach the bump, rather than discovering the surface change at your current speed.
Where it is used
The federal manual places the warning before the sharp rise. A separate advisory-speed plaque may accompany the sign where a recommended approach speed is provided.
A sign to tell apart
Dip warns of a depression; Bump warns of a rise. Alabama gives a slow-down instruction for both, but the words identify opposite changes in the road profile.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. What road shape does the Bump warning identify in contrast to Alabama’s Dip warning?
- A side road joining from the right.
- A raised part of the road profile.
- A low depression in the road profile.
Answer: B. A raised part of the road profile.
The federal manual distinguishes a sharp rise from a depression; Alabama names each warning separately.
2. What should you do before reaching the bump shown by Alabama’s warning?
- Accelerate to skip over the raised area.
- Move into the oncoming lane regardless of traffic.
- Reduce speed.
Answer: C. Reduce speed.
Alabama explicitly calls for slower driving at the bump.
State source coverage
Handbook coverage and sample questions do not prove that a sign will appear on your exam. Even a published test scope cannot guarantee an individual exam question.
Alabama
Handbook coverage
Alabama illustrates Bump with a slow-down instruction. This documents handbook coverage, without promising selection on an individual exam.
State variations
State-specific variations have not been independently established for this study.
Verified question coverage
These free state-bank questions were independently verified. This does not establish complete state-bank readiness, app availability or what will appear on your permit exam.
No currently verified state-bank question is available for this sign.
The linked 20-question permit quizzes do not currently include this sign.
This meaning is a federal MUTCD reference. Check your state's handbook for its rules and sign coverage; this page does not establish what appears on a state permit exam.
Try the free road sign quiz or find your state's handbook.
