Sign library · Warning

SLIPPERY WHEN WET

ColorYellow
ShapeDiamond
FamilyWarning
Where you see itBridges, smooth pavement, oil-prone stretches

What it means

This surface loses grip in rain faster than ordinary road. Bridges freeze first and polished asphalt films over with the first drizzle.

What you should do

In any wetness, slow down before this stretch, add following distance, and make no sudden moves: gentle steering, gentle brakes.

Memory trick

The car with the wiggly skid tails is what your car wants to do here in the rain.

The mistake drivers make

Assuming the sign only matters in storms. The first ten minutes of light rain, when water mixes with oil and dust, are the slickest of all.

Test yourself on this sign.

A real practice question from our verified bank, word for word. Tap an answer.

Q.On a slippery road, why should you slow down before a curve?

Related signs

Signs that live in the same family, or get confused with this one.

WINDING ROAD

Yellow · Diamond

9%

HILL / STEEP GRADE

Yellow · Diamond

Keep going.

The library

Every sign, one page each

Browse the full sign library: meanings, memory tricks, and the mistakes to avoid.

Back to the library →
The system

The color and shape codes

One lesson that teaches you to read any sign from its outline alone.

Learn the codes →
All topics

Explore the Learning Center

Six free lessons that cover the whole written test.

See all lessons →

Prefer to study on your phone, in your own language? The same questions live in the app — 19 languages, all 50 states, every answer explained.