The 11th Edition of 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.

Changes from the 2009 Edition

Supplementary documents detailing new content of the 11th Edition of the MUTCD (December 2023), and how the new edition differs from its predecessor, the 2009 Edition with Revisions 1, 2, & 3 incorporated (August 2022), are available in the Rulemaking Docket to assist agencies in understanding the new provisions.

Table of Contents

Part 1 - General

Part 2 - Signs:

Chapter 2A - General

Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates

Chapter 2C - Warning Signs and Object Markers

Chapter 2D - Guide Signs - Conventional Roads

Chapter 2E - Guide Signs - Freeways and Expressways

Chapter 2F - Toll Road Signs

Chapter 2G - Preferential and Managed Lane Signs

Chapters 2H-2N - General Information Signs, General Service Signs, Specific Service Signs, Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs, Changeable Message Signs, Recreational and Cultural Interest Area Signs, and Emergency Management Signs

Part 3 - Markings

Part 4 - Highway Traffic Signals

Part 5 - Traffic Control Device Considerations for Automated Vehicles

Part 6 - Temporary Traffic Control

Part 7 - Traffic Control for School Areas

Part 8 - Traffic Control for Railroad and Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings

Part 9 - Traffic Control for Bicycle Facilities

Appendices A1 and A2 - Congressional Legislation and Metric Conversions