What to Expect on Your First Day as a Traffic Controller

First day jitters? I get it. Even the toughest roadworkers feel that knot in their stomach when they’re about to start something new. After training hundreds of green TCs and seeing thousands cycle through the industry, I know exactly what trips people up on day one. Here’s your no-bullshit guide to what’s actually going to happen on your first day as a traffic controller.

Before You Even Leave Home

Your first day starts the night before. Seriously. The most common reason people get scratched (that’s industry talk for “sent home”) on their first day is showing up late or unprepared. Here’s what to do:

  1. Confirm your start time and location - Double check your job sheet or message. Is it 6:30am or 7:00am? Is the site on Smith Street or Smith Road? Tiny details matter.

  2. Check your travel time with traffic - Google Maps will tell you it’s a 25-minute drive at 11pm when you’re checking. But at 6am during peak hour? Could be an hour. Set your “arrival time” in your maps app to see the real travel time.

  3. Pack your gear the night before - Your company should have told you what to bring, but if they didn’t (or were vague), here’s the bare minimum:

  4. Hi-vis long sleeve shirt and pants (or company uniform if provided)
  5. Steel cap boots
  6. Hard hat AND wide-brim hat (bring both)
  7. Sunscreen and safety sunglasses
  8. Gloves (leather riggers’ gloves are best)
  9. Water bottle and food for the ENTIRE day
  10. Rain gear (even if the forecast is clear)
  11. Your traffic control tickets/cards

  12. Charged phone

  13. Set multiple alarms - I’ve trained TCs who’ve lost jobs because they slept through a single alarm. Don’t be that person.

Arrival: The First Impression

Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your start time. Traffic control is an industry where early = on time, on time = late, and late = unemployed.

When you arrive on site, you’ll typically:

  1. Find your crew - Look for a company vehicle driven by someone in the same uniform as you - that’s probably your crew. Go and introduce yourself!

  2. Attend a pre-start or toolbox meeting - This could be formal or casual depending on the site, but it’s where safety issues and the day’s work are discussed. PAY ATTENTION here. I’ve seen new TCs miss critical safety information because they were looking at their phones.

  3. Fill out paperwork - Expect to complete site induction forms, sign-in sheets, and possibly additional safety documentation. Have your tickets/cards ready.

  4. Get assigned to a more experienced TC or team leader - Most companies pair new TCs with experienced staff for at least part of the first day.

The Real Work Begins

Once the administrative stuff is sorted, you’ll get down to the actual job. Here’s what to expect:

Traffic Control Setups

If you’re lucky, you’ll arrive on site when traffic management plans are being implemented. This gives you a chance to see how theory gets put into practice. You might help:

  • Unload signs and devices from trucks or utes
  • Place signs at specific distances according to the plan
  • Set up barriers, cones, or bollards
  • Help deploy truck mounted attenuators (TMAs) if used on site

On the Bat

Most likely, a significant part of your first day will involve holding a stop/slow bat (also called a lollipop). Some key things to remember:

  1. You will be standing for long periods - Depending on the site and team, you might be on your feet for several hours straight. Use your breaks wisely when they come.

  2. Maintain focus at all times - It’s easy to zone out when traffic is flowing smoothly, but that’s exactly when accidents happen. Stay alert.

  3. Radio communication is critical - Listen carefully to instructions and use proper protocols. Don’t cut off the beginning or end of your messages (common rookie mistake).

  4. You’ll need to identify vehicles - Your company should have a standard way of describing vehicles (make, color, plate numbers). If they don’t tell you, ask.

The Unexpected Stuff No One Tells You

Here are the things most training courses conveniently leave out:

1. Bathroom Breaks Are A Challenge

On many sites, especially roadwork, there’s no toilet nearby. You have three options: - Hold it (not recommended for health reasons) - Find a secluded spot when your break comes (yes, even the women) - Speak up if it’s an emergency, but don’t make a habit of it

The reality is that experienced TCs develop “strategic hydration” - drinking enough to stay hydrated but not so much they’re constantly looking for facilities - and “strategic evacuation” - using the bathroom when they can, not when they need to.

2. The Public Will Test Your Patience

Prepare to be: - Yelled at by drivers who are late for work - Questioned about why you’re “standing around doing nothing” - Asked directions to places you’ve never heard of - Occasionally threatened (rare but it happens)

The key is to remain professional. Don’t engage with aggressive drivers and never take it personally. They’re angry at the delay, not at you personally.

3. Weather Is Your Constant Companion

You’ll be intimately familiar with the weather forecast, but it won’t always be right: - Hot days feel hotter on asphalt - Cold days feel colder when you’re not moving much - Rain makes everything harder and less pleasant

Dress in layers when possible and always have sun protection. Australian sun will absolutely fry you, even on cloudy days.

4. Time Moves Differently

Some shifts will fly by, others will drag on forever. Your perception of time gets warped when you’re doing traffic control. The busier sites often feel easier because there’s less standing around.

End of Day Procedures

As the shift ends, you’ll likely:

  1. Help pack up equipment if the job is finishing
  2. Complete any required paperwork such as timesheets or safety observations
  3. Debrief with your supervisor about how things went
  4. Get information about your next shift (if you’re lucky)

Don’t just disappear when the clock hits knock-off time. Make sure you’ve been properly signed out and know what’s happening next.

Will There Be A Second Day?

Whether you get called back depends almost entirely on these factors:

  1. Did you show up on time? Reliability is the #1 factor in who gets regular work.
  2. Did you follow instructions? Safety is paramount in this industry.
  3. Did you complain constantly? Nobody wants to work with a whinger.
  4. Were you on your phone all day? This is a massive red flag to supervisors.
  5. Did you bring proper gear? Showing up unprepared suggests poor planning.

I’ve seen countless green TCs never make it past day one because they failed one of these basic tests.

The First Day Survival Checklist

To recap, here’s what you absolutely must do to survive (and thrive) on your first day:

  • Arrive 15 minutes early
  • Bring ALL required PPE and equipment
  • Stay off your phone except during breaks
  • Ask questions if you’re unsure (but listen when told)
  • Be willing to learn from more experienced staff
  • Maintain a positive attitude regardless of conditions
  • Stay hydrated and sun-safe
  • Follow all safety procedures without exception

Do these things, and you’ll be miles ahead of most new starters.

What Happens After Day One?

If you’ve made it through your first day and haven’t been told “we’ll call you” (code for “we won’t”), congratulations! You’re on your way.

In the coming days and weeks, you should:

  1. Absorb as much knowledge as possible from experienced TCs
  2. Learn the specific protocols of your company
  3. Build relationships with supervisors and management
  4. Consider additional qualifications to increase your value

Every day gets a little easier as you build confidence and experience. The learning curve is steepest at the beginning, but with the right attitude, you’ll be showing the ropes to other newbies before you know it.

You’ve Got This!

Your first day as a traffic controller might be challenging, but with proper preparation and the right mindset, you’ll do fine. Remember, everyone in this industry had a first day once - even the most seasoned supervisor was a green TC at some point.

Want more insider tips to make sure you absolutely nail your first day? Download our FREE First Day Kit for a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know, including what to pack, how to make a great impression, and how to avoid the mistakes that get new TCs fired in their first week.

About the author: Roger has 17 years of experience in the Traffic Management industry, working his way up from a green TC to managing major infrastructure projects across Australia. Through various roles from Supervisor to National Safety Manager, he’s personally trained hundreds of new controllers and witnessed thousands of people enter and exit the industry. This extensive experience has helped him identify what truly makes a top gun in Traffic Management and recognize the significant gap between RTO-delivered training and real-world job expectations. Roger founded Traffic Control Academy with a commitment to helping newcomers avoid the common pitfalls that push so many out of the industry within their first month.

Traffic Control Academy brings together industry professionals at all experience levels to create a collaborative learning community. Our mission is to provide traffic controllers with relatable training resources based on real-world knowledge, while building a space where controllers can share insights, ask questions, and support each other’s growth. By joining Traffic Control Academy, you’re not just downloading a resource—you’re becoming part of a movement to transform how traffic controllers learn, connect, and advance in their careers.