Steep hill downwards sign: what it means
The steep hill downwards sign warns of a steep downhill slope ahead. The figure shows how steep: 10 per cent means the road drops 1 metre for every 10 metres.
What does the steep hill downwards sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says 10 per cent is the same as a gradient of 1 in 10. Plates may say “Low gear now” or tell you to try your brakes.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- A steep hill up ahead.
- The road bends ahead, here to the right.
- A steep hill down ahead.
Show answer
C. A steep hill down ahead. A steep hill downwards ahead (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 122, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On hilly roads, often on country roads and in towns built on hills.
What should you do?
Slow down before the hill and choose a lower gear so the engine helps to slow the car. Do not coast in neutral: rule 122 says coasting removes engine braking and the car’s speed downhill increases quickly. Leave more room to the vehicle in front.
What do people get wrong?
Riding the brakes all the way down. Long braking can make the brakes less effective (rule 122). Use a lower gear instead.
Common questions
What does 10 per cent on a hill sign mean?
The road drops 10 metres for every 100 metres. Know your traffic signs says 10 per cent is the same as 1 in 10.
Why use a low gear going downhill?
Engine braking helps control your speed, so you do not have to use the footbrake so much (The Highway Code, rule 122).
Compare with
Steep hill upwards signA steep hill up ahead.
Bend ahead signThe road bends ahead, here to the right.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (warning signs) and The Highway Code rule 122.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 122, 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.