Ramp sign: what it means
The RAMP sign at road works warns of a temporary sudden change in the level of the road, such as the edge of new surfacing.
What does the ramp sign mean?
Know your traffic signs describes it as a temporary sudden change in level of the carriageway. Hitting it fast can jolt your vehicle.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Road humps ahead.
- A sudden change in the road level ahead.
- The road surface ahead is uneven.
Show answer
B. A sudden change in the road level ahead. It warns of a temporary sudden change in the road level (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At road works where the old and new road surface meet.
What should you do?
Slow down before the ramp. Motorcyclists and cyclists should take extra care.
What do people get wrong?
Mixing it up with road humps, which are permanent traffic calming.
Common questions
Is a ramp the same as a road hump?
No. This is a temporary change in level at road works. Road humps are built to slow traffic.
Why slow down?
A sudden step can unsettle your vehicle or damage it.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (signs for road works and temporary situations).
- Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.