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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes the MUTCD, which contains all national design, application, and placement standards for traffic control devices. The purpose of these devices, which includes signs, signals, and pavement markings, is to promote highway safety, efficiency, and uniformity so that traffic can move efficiently on the Nation's streets and highways.

What is the legal status of the MUTCD?

The MUTCD is adopted by reference in accordance with title 23, United States Code, Section 109(d) and Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655.603, and is approved as the national standard for designing, applying, and planning traffic control devices.

Does this mean that all traffic control devices must comply with MUTCD standards?

Yes, all traffic control devices nationwide must conform to the MUTCD. There are no exceptions.

The FHWA publishes the MUTCD, but who decides which traffic control devices are selected and installed?

Although the FHWA adopts the standards, the individual State and local highway agencies, not the FHWA, select, install, operate, and maintain traffic control devices on all roadways (including the Interstate and the U.S. numbered systems) nationwide.

Does the MUTCD contain information about particular brands or manufacturers of equipment?

The MUTCD does not include, nor does it endorse any copyrighted or patented device. All devices included in the MUTCD or included in an FHWA experimentation are in the public domain. They are available for reproduction without prior approval, except for the Interstate route signs, which must be approved by AASHTO.

How often do MUTCD standards change?

The MUTCD is a dynamic document because standards change to address travel patterns and road conditions, and to incorporate technology and materials advancements. The job of totally rewriting the manual is undertaken about every 10 to 20 years. The FHWA has previously relied on periodic updates, usually every 2 to 3 years, to revise existing manuals. For example, the 1988 edition has been updated 7 times. The practice of keeping field personnel abreast of amendments to the MUTCD by mailing updates has proved unsatisfactory because traffic planners and engineers have difficulty identifying whether or not they are applying the most recent "updated" version. This is one reason why the manual is now published in multiple formats, including 3-ring binder format, CD-ROM, and on the Internet.

What is the process for changing or updating a MUTCD standard?

Submit your written request for changes to MUTCD standards to Federal Highway Administration, Office of Transportation Operations (HOTO), 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20590. For additional information, refer to Section 1A.10 (Interpretations, Experimentations, and Changes). The FHWA will consider suggestions of merit for future rulemaking changes.

Click here to review the Amendment Process for updating the MUTCD.

Now that information about the MUTCD is available on the Internet, can responses to an Advance Notice of Proposed Amendment or a Notice of Proposed Amendment be made on line?

Yes. You may submit or retrieve comments on line through the Document Management System (DMS) at http://dmses.dot.gov/submit. Acceptable formats include: MS Word (versions 95 to 97), MS Word for Mac (versions 6 to 8), Rich Text File (RTF), American Standard Code Information Interchange (ASCII)(TXT), Portable Document Format (PDF), and WordPerfect (versions 7 to 8). Signed, written comments should refer to the docket number and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001

What is the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), and what is its role in updating or changing the MUTCD?

In the 1920s, members of the Joint Committee (JC) on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which included representatives of the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) and the National Conference on Street and Highway Safety (NCSHS), were responsible for writing and formatting the MUTCD. In 1954, the Joint Committee became the National Joint Committee (NJC) on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

In 1971, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) assumed control of the MUTCD. As a result, the role of the NJC shifted to an advisory capacity. The NJC then changed its name to the National Advisory Committee (NAC) on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. In 1979, the NAC disbanded after FHWA withdrew its sponsorship in order to comply with President Carter's policy to limit the number of Federal advisory committees. Later that same year, former NAC members reorganized themselves into an independent committee called the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD).

The NCUTCD is a private organization that has no official association with the Federal government. Its current members are State and local employees of agencies directly involved with traffic engineering activities or representatives of other organizations who have a major interest in traffic control issues. NCUTCD members are volunteers and they receive no compensation for their contributions. Committee members meet twice a year to discuss the manual and develop comments, which come from 150 to 200 experts who are involved in the daily operation of highways or streets. These comments are then submitted to the FHWA for consideration.

How can I get a copy of the MUTCD?

You can print your own copy directly from this website or you can purchase a copy through a number of national associations.

Click here to print a copy from this website.

American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Institute, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

The larger MUTCD sections won't print, or print badly. What is wrong?

Certain chapters and sections of the MUTCD have very large file sizes due to the large page count, number of illustrations, or both, contained within (example, Section 6H, 96 pages with 46 illustrations). These large files can present problems when printing, depending on the printer used. This is often due to the amount of memory within the printer itself, which is often minimal, especially with the printers sold through office supply outlets. If the printer will not print the file, or prints it with errors, sending the file to the printer in smaller sections (10-20 pages at a time) often solves the problem.

If you are still experiencing difficulties after making the suggested adjustments, please submit your problem on the Technical Feedback Page, and you will receive a reply.