Dip sign
A sharp low spot in the road ahead.
What to do
Slow down before the dip to keep control; water may collect at the bottom after rain.
Slow down before the dip and watch for water collected at the bottom after rain.
Where it's used
Section 2C.26 says a DIP (W8-2) sign should be used in advance of a sharp depression in the road profile, and an Advisory Speed plaque may be added. It is a black-on-yellow diamond word sign. It should not be used for a short sag that could briefly hide a vehicle; that is handled by marking a no-passing zone instead.
Don't confuse it with
- Bump: BUMP warns of a sharp rise, the opposite of a dip.
- Hill: Hill warns of a long downgrade rather than a short sharp low spot.
- Speed Hump: SPEED HUMP warns of a raised traffic-calming hump.
- Type
- Warning signs
- Shape
- Diamond
- Colors
- yellow, black
- MUTCD code
- W8-2
- MUTCD section
- 2C.26
On state permit tests
Our questions for 2 states ask about this sign, including Alabama and Florida.
Test yourself
What does a DIP sign mean? (Alabama practice test)
- Steep hill
- Water on the road
- Speed bump
- There is a dip in the roadway; slow down
Show answer
There is a dip in the roadway; slow down. There is a dip in the roadway; slow down.
A warning sign shows a low place in the road (DIP). What should you do? (Florida practice test)
- Go slowly and be ready to stop and turn around if the dip is filled with water
- Speed up to get through quickly
- Move to the shoulder
- Sound your horn
Show answer
Go slowly and be ready to stop and turn around if the dip is filled with water. A dip is a low place in the road; go slowly and be ready to stop and turn around if it is filled with water.
More warning signs
Turn
Curve
Reverse Turn
Reverse Curve
Winding Road
One-Direction Large Arrow
Two-Direction Large Arrow
Chevron AlignmentFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.26. Sign image: public domain, source.