United States Permit Test Coach
Warning signsQuestion 53 of 223

A USE LOW GEAR plaque is below a hill sign. What does it advise?

  1. Shift to a lower gear as well as use the brakes
  2. Use only the brakes on the hill
  3. Drive faster to save fuel
  4. Stop at the top of the hill
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Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear as well as use the brakes

On a long steep downgrade, brakes alone may not be enough. The plaque tells you to use a lower gear too.

Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (FHWA, December 2025), Section 2C.14 Hill Signs (W7-1 and W7-1a), page 208

Practice warning signs

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026