New Release: 11th edition of the MUTCD now available!
On December 19, 2023 the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released the 11th edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). This manual is the national standard for traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings to ensure a uniform and predictable environment for people who walk, bike, and drive.
The newly updated MUTCD includes significant input from members of the public, including state and local traffic engineers, traffic control device technicians, and other transportation safety stakeholders, and is the latest edition since 2009.
States must adopt the 11th Edition National MUTCD or have a State MUTCD or Supplement that is in substantial conformance with the National MUTCD as their legal State standard for traffic control devices within two years. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the final dispositions of major changes from the 2009 Edition, can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-27178
Visit the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways webpage for more information and access the full 11th edition of the MUTCD here
What's the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)?
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways—the MUTCD—defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets, highways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and site roadways open to public travel. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F.
The MUTCD, which has been administered by the FHWA since 1971, is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, and traffic signals. It is updated periodically to accommodate the nation's changing transportation needs and address new safety technologies, traffic control tools, and traffic management techniques.
On December 19, 2023, a Final Rule adopting the 11th Edition of the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register with an effective date of January 18, 2024. States must adopt the 11th Edition of the National MUTCD as their legal State standard for traffic control devices within two years from the effective date. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the final dispositions of major changes from the 2009 edition, can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-27178.
The FHWA issued Interim Approval 23 on January 8, 2025, allowing the optional use of the Residential Driveway Temporary Signal, a device replacing flaggers at residential driveways in one-lane, one-direction work zones. This signal includes a red light and two flashing yellow arrows to indicate when and in which direction vehicles can safely enter the road. Additionally, the MUTCD 11th Edition continues its phased release of sign design details, with the latest update (December 20, 2024) providing specifications for 456 signs across various categories.
What's the current version of the Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)?
The December, 2024 11th edition is the official current edition.
What sections of the MUTCD are most relevant to bicycle safety?
The section that is most relevant to bicycle safety is Part 9 Traffic Control for Bicycle Facilities.
What is the intended audience of the MUTCD?
The MUTCD audience includes, but is not limited to:
- State and local highway agencies,
- public officials,
- owners of private roads open to public travel,
- the insurance industry,
- law enforcement agencies,
- incident management personnel,
- maintenance personnel,
- academic institutions,
- private industry,
- and planning, construction and engineering organizations.
California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices ( CA MUTCD):
As of January 11, 2024, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has made edits, referred to as Revision 8 (Rev 8), to the 2014 edition of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (California MUTCD) to provide for uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices in California. This action was taken pursuant to the provisions of California Vehicle Code Section 21400 and the recommendations of the California Traffic Control Devices Committee (CTCDC). Caltrans has received a letter of substantial conformance from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the CA MUTCD 2014, Rev 8. The CA MUTCD Rev 8 includes policy revisions addressing 15 specific CTCDC recommendations to Caltrans since March 10, 2023, along with other corrections and format changes.
The revised CA MUTCD Rev 7 includes policy revisions addressing eight specific CTCDC recommendations to Caltrans since March 30th, 2021, and other corrections and format changes.
- CA MUTCD 2014 Revision 8 Summary of Changes (PDF)
- CA MUTCD 2014 Revision 8 Release Caltrans Letter to CTCDC (PDF)
- CA MUTCD 2014 Revision 8 (Effective March 10, 2023)
Learn more about the current CA MUTCD and previous revisions on the Caltrans website.