Flagger Awareness Course (MUTCD): Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: The MUTCD and who sets the rules

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal rules make it the national standard for all traffic control devices on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel. Part 6 of the manual covers temporary traffic control, including work zones and flaggers.

The 11th Edition took effect on January 18, 2024, and Revision 1 took effect on March 5, 2026. States must adopt a new edition within two years. A state may publish its own manual or supplement, such as the California MUTCD, but it must meet the national Standards as a minimum.

For construction work, OSHA rule 29 CFR 1926.201(a) says that flagging signals, the use of flaggers and the warning garments flaggers wear must follow Part 6 of the MUTCD.

Words the MUTCD uses

• Shall (a Standard): something that must be done.
• Should (Guidance): the recommended practice.
• May (an Option): something allowed but not required.

Training and flagger cards differ by state

This course does not give you a flagger card or meet any state training rule. If you are asked to flag without the training your state requires, tell your supervisor before you start.

Lesson 2: The work zone and your equipment

A temporary traffic control (TTC) zone has four parts. Knowing them helps you understand where you stand and why.

High-visibility apparel

• All workers in the road right-of-way, including flaggers, wear apparel that meets ANSI/ISEA 107 Performance Class 2 or 3.
• The background is fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or a mix of both.
• For flagging at night, Class 3 apparel is recommended.
• Police and emergency responders in the zone may wear an ANSI/ISEA 207 public safety vest instead.

Hand-signaling devices

• The STOP/SLOW paddle is the primary and preferred device. It gives drivers clearer direction than a flag.
• The paddle is an octagon on a rigid handle, with STOP on one side and SLOW on the other. At night it must be retroreflective.
• Flags are for emergencies only. They are red or fluorescent orange-red, at least 24 inches square, on a staff about 36 inches long.
• An Automated Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD) lets a flagger control traffic from outside the lane (see Lesson 5).

Lesson 3: Stop, slow and proceed signals

Flaggers must use a STOP/SLOW paddle, a flag (emergencies only) or an AFAD. When controlling one-lane, two-way traffic, hand movements alone are not allowed. Only uniformed law enforcement officers and emergency responders at incident scenes may control traffic with hand movements alone.

In an emergency, a flagger with a flag stops traffic by holding the staff straight out across the lane so the whole flag hangs below it. To slow traffic, the flag is waved in a slow sweep from shoulder level downward. A flag is never used to tell drivers to proceed.

Good habits

• Stay clearly visible to the first approaching driver at all times.
• Stand alone. Do not let workers or equipment gather around your station.
• Stay alert so you can warn workers in time and move quickly away from a vehicle that does not stop.
• Be polite and clear with drivers. Public contact is part of the job.

Lesson 4: Choosing a safe flagger station

A flagger station must be far enough ahead of the work that drivers have room to stop at the planned stopping point. The MUTCD uses the stopping sight distance on a level road as a suggested distance:

The distance may need to be longer on downgrades and in other conditions that make stopping take longer. Your state's rules or the traffic control plan may set their own distances, and you must follow them.

Station checklist

• Advance warning signs are in place before your station (except in emergencies).
• Your station is lit at night (except in emergencies).
• You stand on the shoulder next to the lane you control, or in the closed lane.
• You step into a lane used by traffic only after the vehicles have stopped.
• You have a planned escape route in case a vehicle does not stop.
• The first approaching driver can see you clearly.

Lesson 5: One-lane, two-way traffic control

When traffic in both directions must share one lane, movements from each end must be coordinated. The MUTCD lists several methods: flaggers, flag transfer, a pilot car, temporary traffic signals, and STOP or YIELD signs on low-volume roads.

Flagger method

• Use a flagger at each end of the one-lane section, with one flagger chosen as the coordinator.
• Flaggers talk by voice, by radio or other electronic means, or with hand signals that cannot be confused with flagging signals.
• One flagger may be enough if that flagger can see the whole work zone and traffic from both directions.

Other methods

• Flag transfer: the last driver into the one-lane section carries a red flag or token to the flagger at the far end. It is used only where the section is short, usually no more than 1 mile. California does not allow it.
• Pilot car: a vehicle with a PILOT CAR FOLLOW ME sign leads a line of traffic through the zone.
• AFAD: a remote-controlled STOP/SLOW sign, or red and yellow lights with a gate arm. It may be run only by a trained flagger, must never be left unattended, and is used only where one lane of traffic approaches.

When using an AFAD, never show the SLOW face (or the flashing yellow light) until all oncoming vehicles have cleared the one-lane section.