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Traffic Controller (Stop-Slow) Free Practice Test

Control traffic with a stop-slow bat

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This is practice for the knowledge behind the national unit RIIWHS205E, Control traffic with stop-slow bat: preparing for work, positioning and sight distance, signals, queues, pedestrians, hazards and fatigue.

There is no single official exam. A training provider assesses the knowledge and a practical on a live road, and a state body issues any card.

The question count, pass mark and time limit are ExamRoo practice settings, shown in the facts box.

Many questions use Queensland guides and say so. Some states, including Victoria, have moved to newer courses, so check which applies to you.

Free, no sign-up. 70+ questions with every answer explained. Practise, use flashcards, or sit a 20-question timed exam in 30 minutes.

Questions per test
20(ExamRoo setting)
Pass mark
16/20(ExamRoo setting)
Timer
30 minutes(ExamRoo setting)
Run by
Your training provider (a registered training organisation). Standards: Queensland Transport and Main Roads, WorkSafe Queensland and the national unit RIIWHS205E

Question count, pass mark and timer are ExamRoo practice settings, not an official format; see the regulator for the real test. Question pool: 70+ source-checked questions. Sources checked on .

10 practice questions with answers

Tap Show answer under a question to see the answer and why. These are 10 of the 70+ questions in the full test.

Question 1 · Positioning

Traffic has stopped at your station and a long queue is forming behind the first vehicle. In Queensland, what must you do about your position?

  1. Stay exactly where you stopped the first vehicle until it moves off
  2. Walk to the lead vehicle to talk to the driver
  3. Return to the taper and wait there
  4. Move if needed so you are clearly visible to approaching traffic
Show answer and explanation for question 1

Answer: D. Move if needed so you are clearly visible to approaching traffic

Once traffic has stopped, a traffic controller changes position as necessary to stay clearly visible to approaching traffic (QGTTM Part 7, s 2.7.3).

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Question 2 · Hand signals

A stack of pipes beside your station partly hides your signalling arm from approaching drivers. What is the correct response?

  1. Raise the bat higher so drivers can still see it over the pipes
  2. Rely on the advance warning signs to tell drivers what to do
  3. Reposition so your hand signals are clear and unobstructed
  4. Use the radio to tell the driver ahead
Show answer and explanation for question 2

Answer: C. Reposition so your hand signals are clear and unobstructed

Hand signals with the bat must be visibly clear and unobstructed, so the obstruction has to be dealt with before you signal (RIIWHS205E, PC 2.2).

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Question 3 · Hierarchy of control

When working through the hierarchy of controls, which control is the aim because it is the most effective?

  1. Eliminating the hazard
  2. Wearing high-visibility clothing
  3. Writing an administrative procedure
  4. Reducing the hazard with a warning sign
Show answer and explanation for question 3

Answer: A. Eliminating the hazard

You must work through the hierarchy of controls aiming to eliminate the hazard, which is the most effective control (WorkSafe Queensland, Workers struck by vehicles).

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Question 4 · PPE

In Queensland, when must traffic controller specific garments be worn?

  1. Only while holding a STOP / SLOW bat in a lane carrying live traffic
  2. On STOP / SLOW duty, operating a PTCD or supervising a trainee
  3. Only during night works or low-visibility conditions
  4. Only on roads with a speed limit above 60 km/h
Show answer and explanation for question 4

Answer: B. On STOP / SLOW duty, operating a PTCD or supervising a trainee

The garments are worn for STOP / SLOW duties, while operating a portable traffic control device, and while supervising a trainee who may need to be relieved (QGTTM Part 7, s 2.5.1).

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Question 5 · Queues

The queue at your station is approaching its maximum length. In Queensland, what should you do first?

  1. Hold traffic longer so fewer vehicles join the queue
  2. Tell the supervisor the queue is near its maximum so planning can start
  3. Place extra warning signs behind the queue yourself
  4. Wait until the queue passes the end-of-queue marker before telling anyone
Show answer and explanation for question 5

Answer: B. Tell the supervisor the queue is near its maximum so planning can start

Initially the traffic controllers advise the site supervisor that queues are approaching their maximum length so contingency planning can be put in place (QGTTM Part 3, s 4.8).

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Question 6 · Breaks

You operate a portable traffic control device while seated. In Queensland, do you still need to be relieved from traffic control duty?

  1. No, sitting down is not tiring
  2. No, the break rule applies only to bat operators
  3. Yes, but only after four hours
  4. Yes, the requirement for a break still applies
Show answer and explanation for question 6

Answer: D. Yes, the requirement for a break still applies

Where a controller operates a portable traffic control device while seated, the break requirement still applies (QGTTM Part 7, s 2.4.7).

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Question 7 · Pedestrians

You are asked to guide pedestrians past a worksite. In Queensland, do you need to show the STOP / SLOW bat to them?

  1. No, bats and other devices are not required for pedestrians
  2. Yes, the bat must be shown to every pedestrian
  3. Yes, but only the SLOW face
  4. No, pedestrians must manage themselves
Show answer and explanation for question 7

Answer: A. No, bats and other devices are not required for pedestrians

Traffic controllers managing pedestrian activity are not required to use a STOP / SLOW bat or other portable traffic control devices (QGTTM Part 7, s 2.4.2).

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Question 8 · Housekeeping

Your shift has finished and your bat and radio are dirty and damp. What should you do with them?

  1. Leave them on the vehicle seat for the next shift
  2. Clean, check and store them
  3. Store them wet so the dust stays off
  4. Hand them over without checking
Show answer and explanation for question 8

Answer: B. Clean, check and store them

At the end of the job you clean, check and store tools and equipment (RIIWHS205E, PC 3.2).

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Question 9 · Positioning

A work truck is about to be parked between you and the taper. What does Queensland guidance say about parking it there?

  1. It may park there if you are still visible from the front of the queue
  2. It may park there if the driver stays in the cab
  3. It must not be parked there: it can hide you from approaching drivers
  4. It may park there if cones are placed in front of it
Show answer and explanation for question 9

Answer: C. It must not be parked there: it can hide you from approaching drivers

A work vehicle must not be parked where it affects the traffic controller's visibility, or between the traffic controller and the taper (QGTTM Part 3, s 5.10.2).

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Question 10 · Authority

In Queensland, which of these is within a traffic controller's authority where traffic control is required on a roadway?

  1. Issuing fines to drivers who ignore the STOP sign
  2. Controlling cyclists and pedestrians
  3. Changing the traffic guidance scheme to suit conditions
  4. Overriding the directions of a police officer
Show answer and explanation for question 10

Answer: B. Controlling cyclists and pedestrians

Queensland adds to a traffic controller's authority the control of cyclists and pedestrians, including people in a wheelchair or on a personal mobility device (QGTTM Part 7, s 2.2.2).

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What the test covers

Revising away from the screen? Print our hierarchy of risk controls cheat sheet.

The mistakes that cost people the test

  • Staying put when traffic backs up. In Queensland you move if needed so you stay clearly visible to approaching drivers. Source for common mistake 1
  • Letting a parked vehicle hide you. Queensland guidance says a work truck must not be parked between you and the taper. Source for common mistake 2
  • Raising the bat when something blocks your signal. Reposition so your signals are clear and unobstructed. Source for common mistake 3
  • Treating a high-visibility vest as the main protection. The aim is to eliminate the hazard first. Source for common mistake 4
  • Assuming sitting down removes the need for breaks. In Queensland the break requirement still applies when you operate a portable traffic control device seated. Source for common mistake 5

A 7-day study plan

  1. Learn the role and authority of a traffic controller and who may do the work.
  2. Study garments, equipment and pre-job checks.
  3. Practise positioning and sight distance questions.
  4. Learn bat signals, communication and radio use.
  5. Study queues, intersections, pedestrians and cyclists.
  6. Cover hazards, fatigue, weather, night work and end-of-job housekeeping.
  7. Sit a timed exam and check which course your state road authority requires.

What happens if you fail

Your training provider decides how reassessment works. The unit calls for a knowledge assessment and supervised practice on a real road, so ask your provider what happens if you are not yet competent. Source for what happens if you fail

Names people use for this test

You may see it called: traffic controller, stop slow bat, RIIWHS205E, traffic control ticket, stop-slow bat course, traffic controller card.

Frequently asked questions

The licence process

Is there an official traffic controller exam I can practise for?

There is no single official exam. The national unit RIIWHS205E Control traffic with stop-slow bat is assessed by a registered training organisation, and the unit's assessment requirements call for a knowledge assessment plus control of traffic with a stop-slow bat on at least two occasions on a real live road under supervision. This practice test covers the knowledge behind the unit; it is not the official assessment.

Source: Assessment Requirements for RIIWHS205E Control traffic with stop-slow bat, Release 2 (training.gov.au); RIIWHS205E Control traffic with stop-slow bat, Release 2 (training.gov.au).

How many questions are in this practice test and what is the pass mark?

The test draws 20 questions with a 30 minute timer and an 80% pass mark. These are ExamRoo practice settings only. The unit's assessment is set by each training provider, and no question count, time limit or pass mark is published for it. Try a Timed exam →

Source: Assessment Requirements for RIIWHS205E Control traffic with stop-slow bat, Release 2 (training.gov.au).

State differences

I work in NSW. Does this cover the NSW traffic control card?

NSW issues its own SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) card, and training for it must be done with a SafeWork NSW authorised training organisation. SafeWork NSW lists RIIWHS205E among the units for its Traffic controller course. This practice test has no NSW-specific questions, so check the SafeWork NSW page for what applies to you.

Source: SafeWork NSW, Traffic control training course overview.

Is RIIWHS205E still the course in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory?

Not for new training. Transport Victoria says new traffic controller training under the Austroads Temporary Traffic Management National Training Framework became mandatory in Victoria on 1 March 2024, and older traffic controller qualifications, including RIIWHS205, are recognised only until the earliest of the card expiry, three years from issue, or 1 March 2027. Its table of interstate qualifications treats South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania as states where the Austroads framework applies. Austroads names the traffic controller skill sets as RIISS00058 and RIISS00059. This practice test is not written from those skill sets, so ask your training provider or state road authority which course applies to you.

Source: Transport Victoria, Temporary traffic management training; Austroads, Temporary Traffic Management National Training Framework.

Who needs a traffic control card in NSW, and how old do I have to be?

SafeWork NSW calls the card mandatory for workers doing traffic control work on or adjacent to public roads in NSW. You must be at least 17 and have completed training and assessment for the relevant class with a SafeWork NSW authorised training organisation. Exempt groups listed include school crossing supervisors, heavy vehicle inspectors, emergency services personnel, and Defence and Commonwealth employees. This is the NSW rule only.

Source: SafeWork NSW, Traffic control training course overview.

What is the difference between the traffic controller, implement and prepare plan courses in NSW?

SafeWork NSW lists three. Traffic controller (TCR) covers stopping and starting traffic with a stop-slow bat or boom gate and includes RIIWHS205E, but does not qualify you to set up or work with traffic control plans. Implement traffic control plans (IMP) covers putting a work zone traffic management plan into effect. Prepare a work zone traffic management plan (PWZ) covers designing, modifying and inspecting plans. This practice test covers only the stop-slow bat knowledge.

Source: SafeWork NSW, Traffic control training course overview.

Can I direct traffic while I am still training?

In NSW, SafeWork NSW says students with a valid Statement of Completion can do supervised work until they pass their final assessment. The Queensland guide separately requires the supervising traffic controller to stay close to a trainee practising with a stop-slow bat in live traffic. Rules differ by state, so ask your training provider and state road authority what applies to you.

Source: SafeWork NSW, Traffic control training course overview; Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management, Part 7: Traffic Controllers (Transport and Main Roads).

About this test

Where do the rules in the questions come from?

Most come from the free Queensland Transport and Main Roads guides, the Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management Parts 3 and 7 and the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 (November 2025), plus the unit RIIWHS205E and WorkSafe Queensland guidance. A question that tests a Queensland rule says "In Queensland". The Queensland guide Part 7 is a list of differences from the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management Part 7 and takes precedence over it in Queensland, so other states may differ.

Source: Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management, Part 7: Traffic Controllers (Transport and Main Roads, November 2025); Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management, Part 3: Static Worksites (Transport and Main Roads, November 2025); WorkSafe Queensland, Workers struck by vehicles.

Official resources

ExamRoo is an independent study aid, not affiliated with any regulator or training provider. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with Queensland Transport and Main Roads, WorkSafe Queensland and the national unit RIIWHS205E (training.gov.au).

We could not confirm on the official page: the current Queensland course code.

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