Warning signs · W8-2
Dip sign
Archive file: W08-02 Dip/W08-02 Dip 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
A sharp depression 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
Dip warns of a sharp depression in the road profile. Alabama explains that a low section lies ahead and instructs drivers to reduce speed. The warning identifies a vertical surface change rather than an intersection or a sustained hill.
What to do
Ease speed down before entering the low section. The advance warning gives time to respond to the pavement change before driving through it.
Where it is used
The warning is placed before the depression and may have an advisory-speed plaque. The federal manual distinguishes this use from a low stretch that temporarily hides a vehicle; that hidden-vehicle problem requires no-passing treatment where centerline striping is used.
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 — Section 2C.26, paragraph 01 · PDF page 214 · Checked
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 — Section 2C.26, paragraph 02 · PDF page 214 · Checked
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 — Section 2C.26, paragraph 03 · PDF page 214 · Checked
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 — Section 2C.26, paragraph 04 · PDF page 214 · Checked
A sign to tell apart
Bump identifies a sharp rise; Dip identifies a sharp depression. Alabama tells drivers to slow for either warning, while the sign’s word tells you which surface shape lies ahead.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. Which road condition does Dip identify, compared with Alabama’s Bump warning?
- A new lane beside the existing roadway.
- A side road at the bottom of every hill.
- A low section rather than a raised section.
Answer: C. A low section rather than a raised section.
The federal manual describes a depression in contrast to a sharp rise.
2. How should you respond to Alabama’s Dip warning?
- Slow before reaching the depression.
- Increase speed to pass through it faster.
- Ignore it when no other vehicles are present.
Answer: A. Slow before reaching the depression.
The warning’s slow-down instruction applies to the road surface ahead.
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 Dip 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.
