What is the difference between “effective” vs. “adoption” dates for the MUTCD?
The “effective date” applies to the Federal Register final rule. It is a 30-day period after which the changes officially become a part of the National MUTCD. The “adoption date” applies to Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655.603, which provides States 2 years from the effective date to adopt the changes in the National MUTCD. For example, the final rule for the 2003 MUTCD was published in the November 20, 2003 Federal Register. The effective date of the 2003 MUTCD was December 22, 2003. A compliance date stated as “5 years from the effective date of the Final Rule for the 2003 MUTCD” would be December 22, 2008. The States’ MUTCD adoption date must be no later than December 22, 2005.
