TITLE 43. TRANSPORTATION
PART 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER 25. TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
SUBCHAPTER
A.
The Texas Department of Transportation (department) proposes the amendments to §25.1 concerning Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Under Transportation Code, §544.001, the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) is required to adopt a manual for a uniform system of traffic control devices. The statute further states that the manual must be consistent with the state traffic laws and to the extent possible conform to the system approved by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. The edition of the manual that is currently effective is the 2025 version.
The national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is adopted and published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655, Subpart F. The national 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 Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Texas MUTCD) is required to substantially conform with the federal MUTCD to allow use of a single manual for local, state, and Federal-aid highway projects. The Texas MUTCD is periodically updated to maintain substantial conformance with the national MUTCD.
FHWA issued Revision 1 of the 11th Edition of the national MUTCD on March 5, 2026. Amendments to §25.1 adopt Revision 1 of the 2025 Texas MUTCD by reference, to maintain substantial conformance with the national MUTCD. Amendments to §25.1 also clarify language in subsection (c).
The purpose of Revision 1 to the TMUTCD is primarily to correct FHWA known errors, omissions, and clarify language. In addition, TxDOT is modifying several sections throughout Chapters 2A and 2B (regarding FHWA disclaimers, adding supporting statements, and updating a sign name), 2F (regarding tolling) and 2E (regarding Left Exit signs), and Section 7C.02 (regarding school zone pavement markings) in accordance with an agreement with FHWA regarding issues that were still outstanding when the 2025 Texas MUTCD was first adopted in January 2026.
Revision 1 to the 2025 Texas MUTCD is available for review online at the department's website at www.txdot.gov and at the department's Traffic Safety Division office at 6230 East Stassney Lane in Austin, Texas. The federal MUTCD is available online at https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
FISCAL NOTE
Stephen Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, has determined, in accordance with Government Code, §2001.024(a)(4), that for each of the first five years in which the proposed rules are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of the department's or commission's enforcing or administering the proposed rules.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT
George Villarreal, P.E., Director, Traffic Safety Division, has determined that there will be no significant impact on local economies or overall employment as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed rules and therefore, a local employment impact statement is not required under Government Code, §2001.022.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
Mr. Villarreal has determined, as required by Government Code, §2001.024(a)(5), that for each year of the first five years in which the proposed rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the rules will be a more uniform use of traffic control devices statewide. This uniformity increases user comprehension and therefore improves safety and mobility for all users on all streets and highways open to public travel.
COSTS ON REGULATED PERSONS
Mr. Villarreal has also determined, as required by Government Code, §2001.024(a)(5), that for each year of that period there are no anticipated economic costs for persons, including a state agency, special district, or local government, required to comply with the proposed rules and therefore, Government Code, §2001.0045, does not apply to this rulemaking.
ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT AND REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS
There will be no adverse economic effect on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities, as defined by Government Code, §2006.001, and therefore, an economic impact statement and regulatory flexibility analysis are not required under Government Code, §2006.002.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT STATEMENT
Mr. Villarreal has considered the requirements of Government Code, §2001.0221 and anticipates that the proposed rules will have no effect on government growth. He expects that during the first five years that the rule would be in effect:
(1) it would not create or eliminate a government program;
(2) its implementation would not require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions;
(3) its implementation would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;
(4) it would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;
(5) it would not create a new regulation;
(6) it would not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation;
(7) it would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and
(8) it would not positively or adversely affect this state's economy.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Mr. Villarreal has determined that a written takings impact assessment is not required under Government Code, §2007.043.
SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION AND COMMENTS
Any person that is required to comply with the proposed rule or any other interested person may provide information related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposed rule, including any applicable data, research, or analysis, or may submit written comments on the amendments to §25.1. The information or comments must be submitted to Rule Comments, General Counsel Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2483 or to RuleComments@txdot.gov with the subject line "TMUTCD." The deadline for receipt of the information or comments is 5:00 p.m. on September 14, 2026. In accordance with Transportation Code, §201.811(a)(5), a person who makes a submission must disclose, in writing with the submission, whether the person does business with the department, may benefit monetarily from the proposed amendments, or is an employee of the department.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendments are proposed under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Transportation Code §544.001, which requires the commission to adopt a manual of uniform traffic control devices.
CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTES IMPLEMENTED BY THIS RULEMAKING
Transportation Code, Chapter 544
§25.1.
(a) The 2025 Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Revision 1 was prepared by the Texas Department of Transportation to govern standards and specifications for all traffic control devices to be erected and maintained upon any street, highway, bikeway, public facility, or private property open to public travel within this state, including those under local jurisdiction, and is adopted by reference. Copies of the manual are available online through the Texas Department of Transportation web site, www.txdot.gov, and a copy is available for public inspection at the department's Traffic Safety Division office located at 6230 East Stassney Lane, Austin, Texas 78744.
(b) This manual will be periodically updated. In the intervals between updates, standards contained in "Official Rulings on Requests for Interpretations, Changes, and Experimentation" to the United States Department of Transportation's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways will be inserted in this manual and may be used as interim standards.
(c)
This manual is not intended to preclude the use of sound engineering judgment and experience in the application and installation of devices, [and] particularly in those cases not specifically covered in the manual. However, decisions based on engineering judgment and experience [which] must not conflict with the manual or other applicable state laws.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 30, 2026.
TRD-202603228
Becky Blewett
Deputy General Counsel
Texas Department of Transportation
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 13, 2026
For further information, please call: (512) 416-3200