Phase-In Compliance Periods

Below is a list of compliance dates for your information. Please consult the November 20, 2003 Federal Register (Text, PDF 500KB ) for detailed information regarding the sections you are interested in.

Compliance Dates for MUTCD 2003 Edition

Note: * denotes compliance dates established with 2000 MUTCD final rule that are still in effect.

Section 2A.19 Lateral Offset-crashworthiness of sign supports for roads with posted speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph) or higher-January 17, 2013.

Section 2B.03 Size of Regulatory Signs-increased sign sizes and other changes to Table 2B-1-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.04 STOP Sign (R1-1)-4-WAY plaque requirement-January 17, 2004*.

Section 2B.06 STOP Sign Placement-signs mounted on back of STOP sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.09 YIELD Sign Applications-changes in YIELD sign application criteria from the 1988 MUTCD-January 17, 2011*.

Section 2B.10 YIELD Sign Placement-signs mounted on back of YIELD sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.11 Yield Here to Pedestrians Signs (R1-5, R1-5a)-new section-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.13 Speed Limit Sign (R2-1)-color of changeable message legend of YOUR SPEED-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.25 Reversible Lane Control Signs (R3-9d, R3-9f through R3-9i)-removal of R3-9c and R3-9e signs-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.26 Preferential Only Lane Signs (R3-10 through R3-15)-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.27 Preferential Only Lanes for High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOVs)-new section in Millennium Edition-January 17, 2007*.

Section 2B.28 Preferential Only Lane Sign Applications and Placement-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.37 ONE WAY Signs (R6-1, R6-2)-placement requirement at intersecting alleys- January 17, 2008*.

Section 2B.46 Photo Enforced Signs (R10-18, R10-19)-new section-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2B.52 Hazardous Material Signs (R14-2, R14-3)-change in sign legend-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.04 Size of Warning Signs-increased sizes of W4-1, W5-2, W6-3, and W12-1 signs-January 17, 2008*.

Section 2C.04 Size of Warning Signs-sizes of W1 Series Arrows signs, W7 Series truck runaway signs, W12-2p low clearance signs, and W10-1 advance grade crossing sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.11 Truck Rollover Warning Signs (W1-13, W1-13a)-new section-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.16 NARROW BRIDGE Sign (W5-2)-elimination of symbol sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.25 PAVEMENT ENDS Sign (W8-3)-removal of symbol sign-January 17, 2011*.

Section 2C.26 Shoulder Signs (W8-4, W8-9, and W8-9a)-removal of symbol signs-January 17, 2011*.

Section 2C.30 Speed Reduction Signs (W3-5, W3-5a)-removal of R2-5 Series Reduced Speed Ahead signs and use of W3-5 or W3-5a warning signs instead-15 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2018.

Section 2C.31 Merge Signs (W4-1, W4-5)-Entering Roadway Merge sign (W4-1a)-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.32 Added Lane Signs (W4-3, W4-6)-Entering Roadway Added Lane sign (W4-3a)-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.33 Lane Ends Signs (W4-2, W9-1, W9-2)-new design of W4-2 sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.34 Two-Way Traffic Sign (W6-3)-transition from one-way street-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 2C.37 Intersection Warning Signs (W2-1 through W2-6)-new design of Circular Intersection (W2-6) sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.40 Vehicular Traffic Signs (W8-6, W11-1, W11-5, W11-5a, W11-6, W11-8, W11-10, W11-11, W11-12, W11-14)-new symbol signs W11-1, W11-5, W11-5a, W11-6, W11-11, and W11-14-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2C.41 Nonvehicular Signs (W11-2, W11-3, W11-4, W11-7, W11-9)-elimination of crosswalk lines from crossing signs and use of diagonal downward pointing arrow supplemental plaque (W16-7) if at the crossing-January 17, 2011*.

Section 2C.53 PHOTO ENFORCED Plaque (W16-10)-new section-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2D.38 Street Name Sign (D3-1)-symbol sizes, 150 mm (6 in) letter sizes for lettering on groundmounted Street Name signs on roads that are not multi-lane streets with speed limits greater than 60 km/h (40 mph), other new provisions of Millennium Edition-January 9, 2012*.

Section 2D.38 Street Name Sign (D3-1)-letter sizes on ground-mounted signs on multi-lane streets with speed limits greater than 60 km/h (40 mph) and letter sizes on overhead-mounted signs-15 years from the effective date of the Final Rule of the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2018.

Section 2D.39 Advance Street Name Signs (D3-2)-new section in 2000 MUTCD and revisions in 2003 MUTCD-15 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2018.

Section 2D.45 General Service Signs (D9 Series)-Traveler Info Call 511 (D12-5) sign, Channel 9 Monitored (D12-3) sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2D.46 Reference Location Signs (D10-1 through D10-3) and Intermediate Reference Location Signs (D10-1a through D10-3a)-location and spacing of Reference Location signs and design of Intermediate Reference Location signs-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2E.28 Interchange Exit Numbering-size of exit number plaque-January 17, 2008*.

Section 2E.28 Interchange Exit Numbering-LEFT on exit number plaques for left exits-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 2E.30 Advance Guide Signs-advance placement distance-January 17, 2008*.

Section 2E.54 Reference Location Signs and Enhanced Reference Location Signs (D10-4, D10-5)-design of Enhanced Reference Location signs and Intermediate Enhanced Reference Location signs-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2E.59 Preferential Only Lane Signs-new section in 2003 Edition-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 2F.05 Size of Lettering-minimum height of letters and numerals on specific service signs- January 17, 2011*.

Section 2I.03 EVACUATION ROUTE Sign (EM-1)-new design and size of EM-1 sign-15 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2018.

Section 3B.01 Yellow Centerline Pavement Markings and Warrants-new section in Millennium Edition- January 3, 2003*.

Section 3B.03 Other Yellow Longitudinal Pavement Markings-spacing requirements for pavement marking arrows in two-way left-turn lanes-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 3B.07 Warrants for Use of Edge Lines-new section in Millennium Edition-January 3, 2003*.

Section 3B.17 Crosswalk Markings-gap between transverse lines of a crosswalk-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 3B.19 Pavement Word and Symbol Markings-typical spacing of lane-use arrows in two-way left-turn lanes shown in Figure 3B-7-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 3C.01 Object Marker Design and Placement Height-width of stripes on Type 3 striped marker- 10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 4D.01 General-location of signalized midblock crosswalks-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 4D.05 Application of Steady Signal Indications-Item B.4 in STANDARD-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 4D.12 Flashing Operation of Traffic Control Signals-duration of steady red clearance interval in change from red-red flashing mode to steady (stop-and-go) mode-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 4E.06 Accessible Pedestrian Signals-new section in Millennium Edition-January 17, 2005*.

Section 4E.07 Countdown Pedestrian Signals-new section-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD for countdown pedestrian signal hardware = Dec. 22, 2013; 3 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD for operational requirements of countdown pedestrian signals = Dec. 22, 2006.

Section 4E.09 Accessible Pedestrian Signal Detectors-new section in Millennium Edition-January 17, 2005*.

Section 4E.10 Pedestrian Intervals and Signal Phases-pedestrian clearance time sufficient to travel to far side of the traveled way-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 5C.05 NARROW BRIDGE Sign (W5-2)-elimination of symbol sign-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 6D.01 Pedestrian Considerations-all new provisions for pedestrian accessibility-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 6D.02 Accessibility Considerations-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 6D.03 Worker Safety Considerations-high-visibility apparel requirements-3 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2006.

Section 6E.02 High-Visibility Safety Apparel-high-visibility apparel requirements for flaggers-3 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2006.

Section 6F.03 Sign Placement-crashworthiness of sign supports-January 17, 2005.

Section 6F.58 Channelizing Devices-crashworthiness-January 17, 2005.

Section 6F.59 Cones-width of retroreflective stripes-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 6F.63 Type I, II, or III Barricades-crashworthiness-January 17, 2005.

Section 6F.66 Longitudinal Channelizing Barricades-crashworthiness-January 17, 2005.

Section 6F.82 Crash Cushions-crashworthiness-January 17, 2005.

Section 7B.08 School Advance Warning Assembly (S1-1 with Supplemental Plaque)-use of AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) or distance plaque (W16-2 or W16-2a)-January 17, 2011*.

Section 7B.09 School Crosswalk Warning Assembly (S1-1 with Diagonal Arrow)-elimination of crosswalk lines from crossing signs and use of diagonal downward pointing arrow supplemental plaque (W16-7) -January 17, 2011*.

Section 7B.12 Reduced Speed School Zone Ahead Sign (S4-5, S4-5a)-15 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2018.

Section 7E.04 Uniform of Adult Crossing Guards and Student Patrols-requirement for high-visibility apparel for adult crossing guards-5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2008.

Section 8B.03 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (Crossbuck) Sign (R15-1) and Number of Tracks Sign (R15-2)-retroreflective strip on crossbuck support-January 17, 2011*.

Section 8B.04 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance Warning Signs (W10 Series)-removal of existing W10-6 series signs-January 17, 2006*.

Section 8D.07 Traffic Control Signals at or Near Highway-Rail Grade Crossings-pre-signals-10 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD = Dec. 22, 2013.

Section 9B.04 Bicycle Lane Signs (R3-17, R3-17a, R3-17b)-deletion of preferential lane symbol (diamond) for bicycle lane signs-January 17, 2006*.

Section 9B.17 Bicycle Warning Sign (W11-1)-elimination of crosswalk lines from crossing signs and use of diagonal downward pointing arrow supplemental plaque (W16-7) if at the crossing-January 17, 2011*.

Chapter 9C Markings-deletion of preferential lane symbol (diamond) for bicycle pavement markings- January 17, 2007*.

Part 10 Traffic Controls for Highway-Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings-automatic gates, flashing-light signals, and blank-out signs-January 17, 2011*.

Section 10C.15 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance Warning Signs (W10 Series)-removal of existing W10-6 series signs-January 17, 2006*.

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