Requirements/CaliforniaPE stamp required

Caltrans (California DOT) traffic control plan requirements

California requires traffic control plans signed and stamped by a California Registered Civil or Traffic Engineer. Conemap does not produce stamped plans. Use it to draft, then have a licensed engineer review and stamp before submitting.

Check a plan against these rules Where to submit

This jurisdiction requires a PE stamp

Plans here must be signed and stamped by a licensed engineer. Conemap does not produce stamped plans — use it to draft, then have a licensed engineer review and stamp.

Published requirements

Transcribed from Caltrans (California DOT)'s own published document. Each entry cites where it came from and when it was last checked.

No published requirements recorded for this jurisdiction yet.

Source

https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/ep

Agencies revise these documents without notice. If something here is out of date, tell us at hello@conemap.com and it will be corrected. Report a discrepancy.

Taper length for a Caltrans (California DOT) work zone

Taper geometry here comes from the CA MUTCD, not the federal MUTCD on its own. What Caltrans (California DOT) adds is the checklist above.

What governs in California

CA MUTCDProvisional

California publishes its own manual, the CA MUTCD 2026.

California publishes its own manual; the CTCDC reviewed a 2026 Part 6 in October 2025.
Outside the launch states — California TTC plans are generally PE-gated, which is a licensing barrier this product does not clear. Its Part 6 has not been transcribed.

We have not read this state’s Part 6 directly, so the figures below are federal MUTCD values. Check them against the governing document before you submit.

California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Posted speed

Posted speed limit, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or anticipated operating speed.

Lateral offset (W)

How far traffic is moved sideways — usually the width of the closed lane.

Taper type

Open this in the plan builder

Merging taper length

245ft

L = W × S² ÷ 60 = 12 × 35² ÷ 60 = 245.0 ft

MUTCD 11th Ed, Tables 6B-3 and 6B-4 — at least L

Plan view

8 devices at 35 ft

Length is to scale; the lateral offset is exaggerated so the taper is legible.

All taper types at these conditions

MUTCD 11th Ed, Tables 6B-3 and 6B-4

Merging taper

at least L

245 ft

Shifting taper

at least 0.5 L

125 ft

Shoulder taper

at least 0.33 L

85 ft

One-lane, two-way traffic taper

50 ft min, 100 ft max

50 ft

Downstream taper

50 ft min, 100 ft max

50 ft

Channelizing devices

MUTCD 11th Ed, Section 6K.01

Maximum spacing in this taper

1 × 35 mph

35 ft

Devices required

One at each end, evenly spaced between

We have not read this state’s Part 6 directly, so this is the federal MUTCD figure. Check it against the governing document before you submit.

Table 6B-3 states these lengths as minimums. Longer tapers are not automatically better — MUTCD Section 6B.08 notes that extended tapers tend to encourage sluggish operation and delay lane changes, particularly in urban areas with short blocks or frequent driveways.