Try your brakes sign: what it means
The Try your brakes sign tells you to test your brakes, after crossing a ford or before going down a steep hill.
What does the try your brakes sign mean?
Know your traffic signs describes it as “try brakes after crossing a ford or before descending a steep hill”. Rule 121 explains that brakes can be less effective after deep water.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Test your brakes before going on.
- The road goes through water ahead.
- A steep hill down ahead.
Show answer
A. Test your brakes before going on. It tells you to try your brakes after a ford or before a steep hill (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 121, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
After fords and at the top of steep hills.
What should you do?
Check behind you, then press the brake pedal gently to make sure the brakes work.
What do people get wrong?
Ignoring it because the car felt fine. Wet brakes may not grip until you dry them.
Common questions
How do I dry wet brakes?
The Highway Code, rule 121, says to gently apply light pressure while driving slowly.
Why before a steep hill?
You will rely on your brakes going down, so check they work before you start.
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 (warning signs) and The Highway Code rule 121.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 121, 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.