Dip Sign
The dip sign warns of a sharp low spot in the road ahead where the road surface drops and then rises quickly. At speed, vehicles may bounce, lose traction, or scrape their undercarriage.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
A dip is a concave depression in the road surface, often where a watercourse crosses under the road or where soil settling has created a low point. At normal road speeds, passing through a sharp dip can cause the vehicle to compress its suspension, lose contact with the road surface briefly, or ground out on its undercarriage. In wet conditions, dips collect water and can cause hydroplaning.
Quick Facts
Type
Warning Sign
Shape
Diamond
Colours
Yellow background with black dip symbol
In this guide
What does the Dip Sign mean?
A dip is a concave depression in the road surface, often where a watercourse crosses under the road or where soil settling has created a low point. At normal road speeds, passing through a sharp dip can cause the vehicle to compress its suspension, lose contact with the road surface briefly, or ground out on its undercarriage. In wet conditions, dips collect water and can cause hydroplaning.
What to do when you see it
Reduce speed before reaching the dip. Allow the suspension to travel smoothly through the low point. Avoid heavy braking inside the dip. In wet conditions, be aware of standing water that may cause the steering to pull suddenly.
Where you'll see it in Ontario
Dip signs appear on rural roads where drainage crossings or settled road beds create abrupt low points, near creek crossings, at the base of hills, and on older paved roads where frost heaving has created surface depressions.
G1 test relevance
Dip signs are yellow diamond warning signs. The correct G1 response is to slow down before the dip. The sign is less commonly featured in test questions than curves or hills but falls under general warning sign knowledge.
Common mistakes drivers make
Hitting a dip at highway speed can cause a very hard jolt, potential damage to the vehicle's undercarriage, and a temporary loss of steering control. Drivers often underestimate the severity of the dip until it is too late to slow down.
Related Signs
Bump Sign
The bump sign warns of a raised section of road or a surface irregularity ahead that will cause a sudden jolt if crossed at speed. Drivers should slow down to reduce the impact on the vehicle and passengers.
Learn moreSoft Shoulder Sign
The soft shoulder sign warns that the unpaved shoulder alongside the road is soft or unstable. If a vehicle's wheels drop off the pavement edge onto the shoulder, regaining control requires careful technique.
Learn moreSlippery When Wet Sign
The slippery when wet sign warns that the road surface loses traction significantly in wet conditions. Drivers must reduce speed below the normal limit when the road is wet, icy, or covered in leaves.
Learn morePavement Ends Sign
The pavement ends sign warns that the paved road surface ends ahead and the road transitions to gravel, dirt, or a lower-quality surface. Drivers must reduce speed to maintain control on the changed surface.
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