Do I need special training to be a flagger in Quebec?

Yes. The CNESST says a road flagger must hold a flagger training recognized by ASP Construction. Site flaggers who guide reversing vehicles also need flagger training. This course does not replace either one.

Can a flagger work on a highway in Quebec?

The CNESST says flaggers must not direct traffic on autoroutes or on roads posted at 70 km/h or more, apart from exceptions in Tome V. Technical measures such as remote-controlled barriers or temporary traffic lights are used instead.

Tome V – Signalisation routière is the road signs standard of Quebec's Ministry of Transport. Work zone signs must follow it, through a standard drawing or an engineer-sealed signalling plan.

Do drivers have to obey a security guard directing traffic?

Drivers must obey a flag person directing traffic around work sites, exceptional events or sports events under section 311 of the Highway Safety Code. A guard is not a peace officer, so outside those situations call the police.

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.

Quebec Traffic Control (Flagger) Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which Quebec agency enforces workplace health and safety rules for flaggers on road work sites?

The CNESST
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)
The Bureau de la sécurité privée

Show answer

Answer: A. The CNESST

The CNESST enforces the Act respecting occupational health and safety and the construction safety code that apply to road work and flaggers.

Question 2 of 25

What is Tome V – Signalisation routière?

A federal guide for police at crash scenes
The Ministry of Transport's road signs standard
The SAAQ handbook for new drivers
A city parking bylaw for downtown streets

Show answer

Answer: B. The Ministry of Transport's road signs standard

The CNESST says signs on road work sites must follow Tome V, the Ministry of Transport's road signs standard.

Question 3 of 25

According to the CNESST, signs on a Quebec road work site must follow Tome V through which of these?

A plan approved by the property manager only
Whatever signs are left over from the last job
A Tome V standard drawing or an engineer's sealed plan
A sketch drawn by the guard on duty that day

Show answer

Answer: C. A Tome V standard drawing or an engineer's sealed plan

The CNESST says work zone signs must come from a Tome V standard drawing or an engineer-signed and sealed signalling plan.

Question 4 of 25

In Quebec, what is the job of a road flagger (signaleur routier)?

Install new traffic lights at intersections
Guide trucks backing up inside a fenced site
Stop or slow traffic on a public road near work
Issue tickets to drivers who speed in the zone

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Answer: C. Stop or slow traffic on a public road near work

The CNESST describes road flaggers as controlling traffic near road work: stopping or slowing vehicles, alternating one-lane traffic or guiding drivers through the zone.

Question 5 of 25

In Quebec, what does a site flagger (signaleur de chantier) do?

Guides reversing machines and trucks on a site
Writes and seals the site's signalling plan
Directs traffic on autoroutes and highways
Checks workers' licences at the site gate

Show answer

Answer: A. Guides reversing machines and trucks on a site

The CNESST defines the site flagger as the person who directs reversing manoeuvres of machinery and heavy vehicles inside a construction site.

Question 6 of 25

What training does the CNESST say a road flagger in Quebec must have?

A diploma from the Quebec police academy
A flagger course recognized by ASP Construction
Only a basic first aid course
No training, as long as they wear hi-vis

Show answer

Answer: B. A flagger course recognized by ASP Construction

The CNESST says the road flagger must hold a flagger training recognized by ASP Construction. A general awareness course does not replace it.

Question 7 of 25

What colour of high-visibility safety clothing does the CNESST list for road flaggers?

Plain white
Fluorescent yellow-green
Black with a red stripe
Dark blue

Show answer

Answer: B. Fluorescent yellow-green

The CNESST lists a hard hat, high-visibility clothing in fluorescent yellow-green and protective footwear for road flaggers.

Question 8 of 25

Besides hi-vis clothing and protective footwear, what head protection does a Quebec road flagger wear?

A baseball cap
No head protection is needed
A hard hat
A winter toque only

Show answer

Answer: C. A hard hat

The CNESST's equipment list for road flaggers includes a hard hat.

Question 9 of 25

When must Quebec road flaggers have a two-way radio or similar communication device?

Only if the job lasts more than a week
Only during snowstorms
Never; shouting is enough
When more than one flagger is working

Show answer

Answer: D. When more than one flagger is working

The CNESST requires a communication device, such as a two-way radio, when more than one flagger is working.

Question 10 of 25

When may a Quebec road flagger use a flag?

Only at night and in bad weather
Never, under any standard
Only in situations the standard allows
Whenever they prefer it to the sign

Show answer

Answer: C. Only in situations the standard allows

The CNESST lists the flagger's sign as standard equipment and a flag only in situations the standard allows.

Question 11 of 25

On which roads does the CNESST say road flaggers must NOT direct traffic, apart from Tome V exceptions?

Any street inside a city's limits
Autoroutes and roads posted at 70 km/h or more
Gravel roads posted at 30 km/h or less
Streets in school zones during school hours

Show answer

Answer: B. Autoroutes and roads posted at 70 km/h or more

The CNESST says flaggers must not direct traffic on autoroutes or roads posted at 70 km/h or more, except for the exceptions in Tome V.

Question 12 of 25

Where flaggers cannot be used, which measure does the CNESST expect the employer or prime contractor to use instead?

Nothing; work goes ahead with no control
Asking drivers by phone to slow down
A guard waving drivers from the centre line
Temporary work traffic lights

Show answer

Answer: D. Temporary work traffic lights

The CNESST lists technical measures such as remote-operated barriers, temporary traffic lights or a road closure with a detour.

Question 13 of 25

How far behind the "LIGNE D'ARRÊT" sign does the CNESST say the road flagger stands?

About 7 m
About 150 m
About 1 m
About 50 m

Show answer

Answer: A. About 7 m

The CNESST says the road flagger stands about 7 m behind the "LIGNE D'ARRÊT" sign.

Question 14 of 25

How should a Quebec road flagger stand?

Behind the sign, where drivers cannot see them
Sitting in a vehicle with the window open
In the middle of the open lane, facing the crew
Upright, facing traffic, on the shoulder

Show answer

Answer: D. Upright, facing traffic, on the shoulder

The CNESST says the flagger stands upright and faces traffic, on the shoulder or in the closed lane if the layout requires it.

Question 15 of 25

Drivers cannot see the flagger from the minimum stopping sight distance in Tome V. What does the CNESST say must happen?

The work zone is made longer
The flagger moves into the open lane
Drivers are expected to stop suddenly
The flagger waves the sign faster

Show answer

Answer: A. The work zone is made longer

If the work area cannot be seen from a safe distance, the CNESST says the activity zone is extended so the flagger is visible at the minimum stopping sight distance.

Question 16 of 25

A road flagger works between sunset and sunrise. What must the employer do?

Give the flagger a small pocket flashlight
Nothing extra; hi-vis is enough at night
Light the flagger so drivers can see them
Move the flagger closer to the work crew

Show answer

Answer: C. Light the flagger so drivers can see them

For work between sunset and sunrise, the CNESST says the employer must light the flagger so they can be seen at the minimum stopping sight distance.

Question 17 of 25

What must the employer arrange for a road flagger's rest and meal breaks?

The flagger leaves the sign on the road and goes on break
A replacement flagger
Drivers wait until the flagger returns
Breaks are not allowed during flagging

Show answer

Answer: B. A replacement flagger

The CNESST says the employer must provide a replacement during rest and meal breaks.

Question 18 of 25

For a Quebec construction site with more than 10 workers, what does the CNESST ask for?

Only a sign at the main gate
A police officer on site at all times
A second fence around the whole site
A traffic plan showing where flaggers stand

Show answer

Answer: D. A traffic plan showing where flaggers stand

The CNESST asks for a traffic plan showing flagger positions on construction sites with more than 10 workers.

Question 19 of 25

How often does the CNESST expect work zone signs to be inspected?

Only when a driver complains
Only at the end of the project
Once a year
Every day

Show answer

Answer: D. Every day

The CNESST's control measures include inspecting signs daily to make sure they are compliant and in place.

Question 20 of 25

A site flagger is guiding a truck that is backing up. A worker on foot goes out of the flagger's sight. What should the flagger do?

Walk behind the truck to find the worker
Tell the driver to back up faster
Signal the driver to stop right away
Keep the truck moving and look for the worker later

Show answer

Answer: C. Signal the driver to stop right away

The CNESST says the site flagger signals the driver to stop as soon as a worker on the ground is out of sight.

Question 21 of 25

Where should a site flagger stand while guiding a reversing vehicle?

Directly behind the vehicle, in its path
Where the driver sees them, out of the path
Anywhere, as long as they use a whistle
Inside the cab with the driver

Show answer

Answer: B. Where the driver sees them, out of the path

The CNESST says the site flagger stays visible to the driver and outside the vehicle's path.

Question 22 of 25

Under section 311 of Quebec's Highway Safety Code, what must drivers do when a flag person directs traffic around a work site?

Obey only if the flag person shows a badge
Follow the signs and ignore the flag person
Obey only in daylight hours
Obey the flag person, even against the signs

Show answer

Answer: D. Obey the flag person, even against the signs

Section 311 says every person must obey a flag person directing traffic around work sites, even if the signals are contrary to existing signs.

Question 23 of 25

Besides work sites, in which situations does section 311 of the Highway Safety Code cover a flag person directing traffic?

Private parking lots at shopping malls
Exceptional events and sports events
Funerals and weddings only
Any time a guard thinks traffic is heavy

Show answer

Answer: B. Exceptional events and sports events

Section 311 lists work sites, exceptional events, and sports events or competitions.

Question 24 of 25

Does a Quebec security agent licence make a guard a peace officer who can direct traffic anywhere?

Yes, every licence holder is a peace officer
Only if the guard wears a reflective vest
Yes, but only at night
No, the licence gives no peace officer status

Show answer

Answer: D. No, the licence gives no peace officer status

Section 3 of the Private Security Act says no provision of the Act grants the status of peace officer to an agent licence holder.

Question 25 of 25

A driver ignores your signal and drives through the work zone. What is the safest response?

Step in front of the car to stop it
Block the next car so it cannot pass
Note the plate and time, then report it
Chase the vehicle on foot to get the plate

Show answer

Answer: C. Note the plate and time, then report it

Your safety comes first. Record the details and report them; enforcing the Highway Safety Code is a job for the police.

Quebec Traffic Control (Flagger) Course 2026

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