Pavement 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.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
This sign alerts drivers to an upcoming change in road surface from paved to unpaved. Gravel, dirt, or compacted surfaces provide less traction than asphalt and affect braking distances, steering, and stability. Loose stones can damage vehicles and are a projectile hazard to following vehicles.
Quick Facts
Type
Warning Sign
Shape
Diamond
Colours
Yellow background with black pavement-to-gravel symbol
In this guide
What does the Pavement Ends Sign mean?
This sign alerts drivers to an upcoming change in road surface from paved to unpaved. Gravel, dirt, or compacted surfaces provide less traction than asphalt and affect braking distances, steering, and stability. Loose stones can damage vehicles and are a projectile hazard to following vehicles.
What to do when you see it
Reduce speed significantly before the pavement ends. Increase following distance to avoid flying gravel. Steer gently: sharp inputs on loose surfaces can cause fishtailing. Avoid sudden braking. If your vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, apply steady pressure rather than pumping.
Where you'll see it in Ontario
Pavement ends signs appear on rural roads at the boundary between paved and unpaved sections, on municipal roads where paving has not been completed, and at access roads to parks, farms, and resource roads in northern Ontario.
G1 test relevance
This sign is a lower-frequency G1 test topic but falls under general knowledge of warning signs. The expected driver response is to reduce speed, which is the correct answer for nearly all yellow diamond warning signs.
Common mistakes drivers make
Maintaining highway speed onto a gravel road is dangerous. The vehicle may become difficult to control, especially in a curve immediately after the pavement ends. Tires can also lose traction suddenly when transitioning from asphalt to wet gravel.
Related Signs
Soft 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 moreCurve Ahead Sign
The curve ahead sign warns drivers of a gradual curve in the road ahead. Drivers should reduce speed before entering the curve, not during it, to maintain control and stay in their lane.
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 moreSteep Hill Downward Sign
The steep hill downward sign warns of a significant downgrade ahead. Drivers must select an appropriate gear before descending to avoid brake fade, especially in heavy vehicles.
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