Flagger Awareness Course (MUTCD) 2026
This course is for security officers and site workers who work near traffic at work zones, gates and events. It explains the federal MUTCD rules for flaggers, paddle signals, flagger stations and one-lane traffic control. Many states require hands-on flagger training or a flagger card, so this course is background knowledge only and does not qualify you to flag.
Kort svar
Den här gratiskursen har lektioner på cirka 30 minuter och ett prov med 25 frågor. Med minst 80 % kan du ladda ner ett kursintyg (privat, inte ackrediterat). Kontrollerad mot officiella källor den 13 oktober 2026.
Det här lär du dig
- Explain what the MUTCD is and how OSHA and the states use it
- Name the four parts of a temporary traffic control zone
- Choose the right high-visibility apparel and signaling device
- Give the stop, slow and proceed signals with a STOP/SLOW paddle
- Pick a safe flagger station with an escape route
- Describe how flaggers coordinate one-lane, two-way traffic
Få minst 80 % för att ladda ner ditt certifikat.
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Fråga 1 av 25
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Svar: D. The national standard for traffic control devices on public roads
Federal rules (23 CFR 655) make the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices the national standard for traffic control devices on streets, highways and bicycle trails open to public travel.
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Svar: A. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), part of the US Department of Transportation.
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Svar: D. Two years from the effective date
Under 23 CFR 655.603, states must adopt a new national MUTCD edition, or a state manual that meets it, within two years of the effective date.
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Svar: D. Flagging signals and garments must follow MUTCD Part 6
OSHA 1926.201(a) requires that signaling by flaggers, the use of flaggers and their warning garments conform to Part 6 of the MUTCD.
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Svar: D. 3 years from the date it was issued
WAC 296-155-305 requires each flagger to carry a valid flagger card whose expiration date is no more than 3 years from issue.
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Svar: D. Before being assigned as a flagger
California's section 1599 says flaggers must be trained in the fundamentals of flagging moving traffic before they are assigned as flaggers.
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Svar: A. An Oregon certified flagger card or a reciprocal card
ODOT says flaggers on state highways need training and an Oregon certified flagger card, or a reciprocal card from Montana, Washington or Idaho.
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Svar: A. Tell your supervisor before you start
States such as Washington and California require flagger training or a card before a person flags. Raise it with your supervisor before you start.
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Svar: D. The advance warning area
The MUTCD describes the advance warning area as the part of the road where drivers are informed about the upcoming transition and activity areas.
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Svar: A. Activity area
The activity area is where the work happens. It includes the work space, the traffic space and the buffer space.
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Svar: A. Transition area
The transition area is where road users are redirected out of their normal path. Tapers are commonly used there.
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Svar: A. ANSI/ISEA 107 Performance Class 2 or 3 apparel
Section 6C.05 requires workers in the right-of-way, including flaggers, to wear ANSI/ISEA 107 Performance Class 2 or 3 apparel.
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Svar: C. Fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or both
The MUTCD requires a background of fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or a combination of the two.
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Svar: A. Performance Class 3
The MUTCD guidance calls for ANSI/ISEA 107 Performance Class 3 apparel for flaggers at night.
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Svar: A. The STOP/SLOW paddle
The MUTCD says the STOP/SLOW paddle should be the primary and preferred device because it gives drivers more positive guidance than red flags.
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Svar: A. Only in emergency situations
Under the current MUTCD, flags are for emergency situations only. The STOP/SLOW paddle is used the rest of the time.
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Svar: C. It must be illuminated
Except in emergency situations, flagger stations shall be illuminated when flagging is used at night.
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Svar: B. Aims the STOP side at drivers and raises the free palm toward traffic
To stop road users, the flagger faces traffic, aims the STOP face at drivers and extends the free arm with the palm toward traffic, raised above shoulder level.
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Svar: A. Shows the SLOW side and motions with the free hand to proceed
To let stopped drivers proceed, the flagger aims the SLOW face at them and motions with the free hand for them to go.
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Svar: C. No, only uniformed police and incident responders may
The MUTCD prohibits controlling one-lane, two-way traffic with hand movements alone, except by uniformed law enforcement officers or emergency responders at incident scenes.
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Svar: B. 305 feet
Table 6B-2 lists a stopping sight distance of 305 feet at 40 mph, used as a suggested flagger station distance.
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Svar: D. On the shoulder next to the lane, or in the closed lane
The MUTCD says flaggers should stand on the shoulder next to the lane being controlled, or in the closed lane, and enter an open lane only after vehicles have stopped.
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Svar: B. To get out of the way of a vehicle that does not stop
The MUTCD advises flaggers to identify an escape route so they can move away from an errant vehicle.
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Svar: D. One coordinates; they talk by voice, radio or clear signals
For the flagger method, one flagger is the coordinator. Flaggers communicate by voice, electronically, or with signals that cannot be confused with flagging signals.
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Svar: B. It must never be left unattended
An AFAD may be operated only by a trained flagger, and the flagger shall not leave the AFAD unattended at any time while it is being used.
Tangentbord: 1–4 för att svara, Enter för nästa fråga.
Bra att veta före provet
- The MUTCD is the national standard for traffic control devices on roads open to public travel. States must adopt a new edition within two years.
- OSHA requires construction flagging, including flaggers' warning garments, to follow Part 6 of the MUTCD.
- The 11th Edition of the MUTCD took effect on January 18, 2024. Revision 1 took effect on March 5, 2026.
- Flaggers must use a STOP/SLOW paddle, a flag (emergencies only) or an AFAD. Hand movements alone are not allowed when controlling one-lane, two-way traffic.
- Washington flaggers must carry a valid flagger card that expires no more than 3 years after it is issued.
Vanliga frågor
Does this course make me a certified flagger?
No. Many states and project owners require hands-on flagger training or a flagger card. For example, Washington requires a valid flagger card, Oregon requires a certified card on state highways, and California requires training before a worker is assigned to flag. This course is background knowledge only.
What is the MUTCD?
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is the national standard, published by the Federal Highway Administration, for signs, signals, markings and work zone devices on roads open to public travel. Some states publish their own version that must meet it.
Can a flagger use hand signals without a paddle?
No. Flaggers must use a STOP/SLOW paddle, a flag in emergencies, or an AFAD. When controlling one-lane, two-way traffic, only uniformed law enforcement officers and emergency responders at incident scenes may use hand movements alone.
How far ahead of the work should a flagger stand?
Far enough that drivers can stop in time. The MUTCD uses stopping sight distance as a guide, such as 305 feet at 40 mph and 495 feet at 55 mph on a level road. Follow your traffic control plan and state rules.
Är intyget ackrediterat eller officiellt erkänt?
Nej. Det är ett privat kursintyg, bara för dina kunskaper. Det är inte erkänt, ackrediterat eller godkänt av någon myndighet, tillståndsmyndighet, tillsynsmyndighet eller utbildningsinstitution, och det ersätter inte någon licens, certifiering eller utbildning som krävs enligt lag.
Källor
- FHWA: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
- eCFR: 23 CFR Part 655, Subpart F (MUTCD as national standard)
- OSHA: 29 CFR 1926.201 Signaling
- Caltrans: California MUTCD 2026, Chapter 6C (Pedestrian and Worker Safety)
- Caltrans: California MUTCD 2026, Chapter 6D (Flagger Control)
- Washington State Legislature: WAC 296-155-305 Signaling and flaggers
- Oregon Department of Transportation: Roadside safety training (flaggers)
- Cal/OSHA: Title 8, Section 1599 Flaggers