Fwd: CA MUTCD 2026 Issued
Jim Baross
From: CAMUTCD@DOT <CAM...@dot.ca.gov>
Date: Sun, Jan 18, 2026, 7:44 AM
Subject: CA MUTCD 2026 Issued
To:
Hello CA MUTCD practitioners and stakeholders,
Effective January 18, 2026, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) 2026 to provide uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices in California. CA MUTCD 2026 will replace CA MUTCD 2014 Revision 9 to meet substantial conformance with the 2023 Edition of the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (National MUTCD 2023). 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 received a letter dated January 13, 2026 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the CA MUTCD 2026 substantial conformance with the National MUTCD 2023 for Streets and Highways. Caltrans’ issuance of the CA MUTCD 2026 complies with the two-year window from the January 18, 2024 effective date of the FHWA’s final rule adopting the National MUTCD 2023, as permitted under Title 23 CFR §655.603(b)(3).
In January 2024, Caltrans began the process to review the National MUTCD 2023 by forming 10 Subject Matter Expert (SME) Workgroups, consisting of over 80 CA MUTCD practitioners representing Caltrans, the California Public Utilities Commission, cities, counties, and private consultants. Caltrans conducted the SME Workgroup review meetings throughout 2024 and 2025, and drafted the CA MUTCD 2026 documents based on reviews and recommendations from the SME Workgroups and the California Traffic Control Devices Committee and requirements in the National MUTCD 2023. FHWA California Division reviewed the finalized draft documents and provided comments, which were resolved. Caltrans is grateful to the SME Workgroup members, CTCDC members, the public, and FHWA California Division for providing invaluable time, support, guidance, and direction in the development of the CA MUTCD 2026.
The CA MUTCD 2026 is initially available by individual chapters at the following website: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/safety-programs/camutcd/camutcd-2026. A single file containing the entire CA MUTCD 2026 will be made available shortly.
For submitting general inquiries, reporting errors, or unsubscribing to emails related to the CA MUTCD, please email CAM...@dot.ca.gov.
Thank you,
CA MUTCD Team
CA MUTCD Website | CA MUTCD Contacts
