California Flagger Certification Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary responsibility of a flagger?
A. Repairing traffic signals
B. Controlling traffic safely through a construction zone
C. Supervising construction crew activities
D. Operating heavy machinery
A flagger’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and
pedestrians through or around a work zone.
2. Which item is a required part of the flagger’s personal protective equipment
(PPE)?
A. Blue denim jeans
B. High-visibility safety apparel
C. Construction plans
D. Clipboard
Flaggers must wear high-visibility safety gear that meets ANSI Class 2 or Class 3
standards.
3. What color should a flagger’s safety vest be during daytime operations?
A. Gray
B. Fluorescent orange or yellow-green
C. Black
,D. Red
During daylight, vests must be fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent yellow-
green to maximize visibility.
4. How should a flagger signal traffic to stop using a STOP paddle?
A. Swing the paddle in circles
B. Hold the STOP paddle facing traffic with arm extended horizontally
C. Drop the paddle on the ground
D. Wave the paddle rapidly
The STOP paddle should be held high and steady to clearly communicate to
drivers to stop.
5. What does the “SLOW” paddle indicate to drivers?
A. They should stop immediately
B. Proceed with caution
C. Speed up to clear the area
D. Make a U-turn
The SLOW side warns drivers to proceed carefully through the work zone.
6. What is the minimum height at which the STOP/SLOW paddle should be held?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. Shoulder height or higher
D. At ground level
To ensure visibility, paddles should be held at or above shoulder height.
7. What is the correct hand signal for instructing a vehicle to proceed?
A. Motioning with the hand in a sweeping movement toward self
, B. Raising both arms
C. Pointing left
D. Waving the STOP paddle
A smooth, sweeping motion toward the body indicates to drivers that they may
proceed.
8. Where should a flagger never stand?
A. At a visible distance
B. In the lane of active traffic
C. Near the construction supervisor
D. On the shoulder
Standing in the lane of live traffic is extremely dangerous and should always be
avoided.
9. What is the minimum required training before becoming a flagger in California?
A. Caltrans or CA-approved flagger training
B. One-year construction experience
C. First aid certification
D. Commercial driver's license
Flaggers must complete an approved flagger training program that meets
Cal/OSHA and CA MUTCD requirements.
10. What should a flagger do if they lose visibility due to fog?
A. Wait until it clears
B. Inform the supervisor and temporarily suspend flagging operations
C. Continue flagging as usual
D. Walk into the fog to stop traffic
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary responsibility of a flagger?
A. Repairing traffic signals
B. Controlling traffic safely through a construction zone
C. Supervising construction crew activities
D. Operating heavy machinery
A flagger’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and
pedestrians through or around a work zone.
2. Which item is a required part of the flagger’s personal protective equipment
(PPE)?
A. Blue denim jeans
B. High-visibility safety apparel
C. Construction plans
D. Clipboard
Flaggers must wear high-visibility safety gear that meets ANSI Class 2 or Class 3
standards.
3. What color should a flagger’s safety vest be during daytime operations?
A. Gray
B. Fluorescent orange or yellow-green
C. Black
,D. Red
During daylight, vests must be fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent yellow-
green to maximize visibility.
4. How should a flagger signal traffic to stop using a STOP paddle?
A. Swing the paddle in circles
B. Hold the STOP paddle facing traffic with arm extended horizontally
C. Drop the paddle on the ground
D. Wave the paddle rapidly
The STOP paddle should be held high and steady to clearly communicate to
drivers to stop.
5. What does the “SLOW” paddle indicate to drivers?
A. They should stop immediately
B. Proceed with caution
C. Speed up to clear the area
D. Make a U-turn
The SLOW side warns drivers to proceed carefully through the work zone.
6. What is the minimum height at which the STOP/SLOW paddle should be held?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. Shoulder height or higher
D. At ground level
To ensure visibility, paddles should be held at or above shoulder height.
7. What is the correct hand signal for instructing a vehicle to proceed?
A. Motioning with the hand in a sweeping movement toward self
, B. Raising both arms
C. Pointing left
D. Waving the STOP paddle
A smooth, sweeping motion toward the body indicates to drivers that they may
proceed.
8. Where should a flagger never stand?
A. At a visible distance
B. In the lane of active traffic
C. Near the construction supervisor
D. On the shoulder
Standing in the lane of live traffic is extremely dangerous and should always be
avoided.
9. What is the minimum required training before becoming a flagger in California?
A. Caltrans or CA-approved flagger training
B. One-year construction experience
C. First aid certification
D. Commercial driver's license
Flaggers must complete an approved flagger training program that meets
Cal/OSHA and CA MUTCD requirements.
10. What should a flagger do if they lose visibility due to fog?
A. Wait until it clears
B. Inform the supervisor and temporarily suspend flagging operations
C. Continue flagging as usual
D. Walk into the fog to stop traffic
