Warning Road Sign (W7-2b)
Use Lower Gear Plaque Sign Meaning & Driving Rules
Supplemental plaque mounted below steep grade signs reinforcing the instruction to downshift.
Required Driver Action & Right-of-Way Protocol
Shift transmission to 2nd, 3rd, or 'L' mode before descending.
Detailed Overview & Purpose
The Use Lower Gear plaque (W7-2b) is mounted beneath W7-1 hill signs to provide an explicit word instruction to drivers to use engine compression braking.
Key Standard & Origin: Applies to passenger vehicles towing trailers as well as commercial vehicles.
Where You'll Find This Sign
Mounted below hill warning signs on steep secondary roads.
Common Driver Mistakes to Avoid
Driving in overdrive gear while descending steep hills.
How This Sign Appears on the DMV Knowledge & Road Test
Tests transmission management on downgrades.
Legal Penalties and Moving Violations
Failure to maintain vehicle control carries moving violation points.
When you encounter the official Use Lower Gear Plaque (W7-2b) on a roadway, what is your legal duty?
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