Ontario Traffic Control (Flagger) Course 2026
This course is for security guards and site workers in Ontario who may be asked to direct traffic at road work or a site entrance. It covers Ontario's construction regulation rules for traffic control persons, the STOP/SLOW sign, the high-visibility garment and Book 7 of the Ontario Traffic Manual. It is background knowledge only: Ontario requires your employer to make sure you are competent and to give you written and oral instructions before you direct traffic.
Quick answer
This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 12, 2026.
What you will learn
- Explain who may direct traffic on Ontario roads and on private property
- Apply the section 69 rules for traffic control persons in O. Reg. 213/91
- Describe the STOP/SLOW sign and the required high-visibility garment
- Recognize Book 7 signs and TCP taper lengths
- Use a before-shift checklist and the traffic protection plan
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: C. O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects)
Sections 67 to 69.1 of O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) cover traffic protection, the STOP/SLOW sign and traffic control persons.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: B. A competent worker
Section 69(4) says the worker must be competent. The regulation does not create a provincial TCP licence.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: D. Qualified by knowledge, training and experience for the work
A competent person is qualified by knowledge, training and experience, is familiar with the Act and regulations, and knows the dangers of the work.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: D. Written and oral instructions in a language they understand
Section 69(4) requires adequate written and oral instructions in a language the worker understands, with a description of the signals.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: B. At the project
Section 69(5) says the written instructions must be kept at the project.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: C. No more than one lane
Section 69(2) says a worker may not direct more than one lane of traffic moving in the same direction.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: C. 90 km/h
Section 69(3) says a worker may not direct traffic where the normal posted speed limit is more than 90 km/h.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: C. No, they must do no other work while directing traffic
Section 69(4) says the worker must not do any other work while directing traffic.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: D. Where traffic endangers them as little as possible
Section 69(4) requires the worker to be positioned to minimize the risk of being endangered by traffic.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: D. An octagon 450 mm between opposite sides
Section 68 calls for an octagonal sign 450 mm between opposite sides.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: C. 1.2 m
Section 68 says the sign is mounted on a 1.2 m pole and must be at least as rigid as 6 mm plywood.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: C. Fluorescent chartreuse with black letters
The SLOW side is retro-reflective fluorescent chartreuse with a black diamond border and black SLOW letters 120 mm high.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: A. Fluorescent blaze or international orange
Section 69.1 requires a garment covering at least the upper body in fluorescent blaze or international orange.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: A. In an X pattern
Section 69.1 says the two 5 cm yellow stripes run vertically on the front and form an X on the back.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: B. Silver retro-reflective stripes around each arm and leg
Section 69.1(4) requires silver retro-reflective stripes around each arm and leg at night, or equal side stripes of at least 50 cm² per side.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: D. The employer; the traffic hazards and the protective measures
Section 67(4) and (5) require each employer to write a plan that identifies the traffic hazards and the measures used to protect workers.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: C. At the project, available to an inspector or worker
Section 67(5) says the plan must be kept at the project and made available to an inspector or a worker on request.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: C. Book 7 of the Ontario Traffic Manual
Book 7 of the Ontario Traffic Manual, published by MTO, covers temporary conditions such as road work zones.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: A. Traffic Control Person Ahead
TC-21 is the Traffic Control Person Ahead sign, placed before the TCP in the advance warning area.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: D. 15 m
Book 7's table gives a TCP taper of 15 m at 50 km/h or less, rising to 30 m at 80 and 90 km/h.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: C. Asking the road authority about police help
For single-TCP intersection layouts, Book 7 says to consult the road authority about police help when volumes are high or the intersection is signalized.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: C. Disobeying a STOP or SLOW sign held by a TCP
The handbook says it is an offence to disobey STOP or SLOW signs displayed by a traffic-control person or firefighter.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: B. The fines are doubled
The handbook notes that Highway Traffic Act changes doubled fines for speeding in a construction zone when workers are present.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: B. On private property, such as parking lots
The study guide describes guards controlling traffic on private property, such as gated entrances to buildings and parking lots.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: A. All users, including traffic control persons
Book 7 says all users, including TCPs, must be trained in the manual, along with the job-specific training required under the OHSA.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- In Ontario, a worker who directs traffic on a project must be competent and get written and oral instructions in a language they understand.
- A worker may not direct more than one lane of traffic in the same direction, or direct traffic where the posted speed limit is over 90 km/h.
- The STOP/SLOW sign is an octagon 450 mm across on a 1.2 m pole, red on the STOP side and fluorescent chartreuse on the SLOW side.
- Ontario TCPs wear a fluorescent orange garment with yellow stripes, and add silver stripes around the arms and legs at night.
- Every employer whose workers face traffic hazards on a project must write a traffic protection plan and keep it at the project.
- It is an offence for a driver to disobey STOP or SLOW signs shown by a traffic-control person.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to be a traffic control person in Ontario?
The construction regulation does not create a provincial TCP licence. It requires you to be competent and to get written and oral instructions from your employer, and Book 7 says TCPs must be trained in the manual.
Can a security guard direct traffic on a public road in Ontario?
A security licence gives no power over drivers on public roads. Guards may control traffic on private property. Directing traffic on a road is done by police, or by a competent worker on a road work project under O. Reg. 213/91.
What is the maximum speed limit for flagging in Ontario?
A worker may not direct traffic where the normal posted speed limit is more than 90 km/h.
What is Book 7?
Book 7 of the Ontario Traffic Manual, Temporary Conditions, is the MTO manual that shows standard layouts of signs, cones and traffic control persons for work zones.
Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?
No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.
Sources
- O. Reg. 213/91: Construction Projects (e-Laws)
- IHSA OHS Guide: Traffic control safety (O. Reg. 213/91 ss. 67 to 69.1)
- IHSA OHS Guide: Traffic protection plan
- Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7, Field Edition, April 2022 (MTO)
- Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7, Office Edition (Publications Ontario)
- Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Dealing with particular situations
- Security guard study guide (Ontario.ca)