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Low Shoulder sign

The shoulder is lower than the travel lane by up to 3 inches.

What to do

Stay on the pavement. If your wheels drop off, slow down and steer back on gently.

If a wheel drops off the edge, do not jerk the wheel; ease off the gas, straighten up and steer back on gently once you have slowed.

Where it's used

Section 2C.29 allows the LOW SHOULDER (W8-9) sign where the shoulder is lower than the travel lane by 3 inches or less. It is a black-on-yellow diamond word sign. A drop of more than 3 inches calls for the Shoulder Drop-Off (W8-17) sign instead.

Don't confuse it with

  • Shoulder Drop-Off: Shoulder Drop-Off is used where the edge drop is more than 3 inches, while LOW SHOULDER is for drops of 3 inches or less.
  • Soft Shoulder: SOFT SHOULDER warns of soft ground, not a height difference.
  • Uneven Lanes: UNEVEN LANES warns of a height difference between two travel lanes, not between the lane and the shoulder.
Low Shoulder sign
Type
Warning signs
Shape
Diamond
Colors
yellow, black
MUTCD code
W8-9
MUTCD section
2C.29

On state permit tests

Our questions for 2 states ask about this sign, including Louisiana and Pennsylvania.

Test yourself

A 'Low Shoulder' sign warns that: (Louisiana practice test)

  • Parking is allowed on the shoulder
  • The shoulder is a bike lane
  • The shoulder is wider than normal
  • There is a sharp drop from the pavement edge to the shoulder
Show answer

There is a sharp drop from the pavement edge to the shoulder. LOW SHOULDER warns that the shoulder sits well below the pavement edge; if you have to drive off the pavement, slow down and hold the wheel firmly.

The LOW SHOULDER sign is used where the shoulder is up to how far below the road? (Pennsylvania practice test)

  • One foot
  • Six inches
  • Three inches
  • One inch
Show answer

Three inches. LOW SHOULDER is used where the shoulder is as much as three inches below the road; SHOULDER DROP OFF marks more severe drop-offs.

More warning signs

Road signs testAll road signs

From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.29. Sign image: public domain, source.