Waved flag
Green
The track is clear of danger.
Shown on the first lap of practice, the sighting lap, the warm-up lap and at the post after the last yellow flag.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Rider reference · FFM 2026
Track flags
Recognise the flags, understand the signal, then test your knowledge. Based on the French Motorcycling Federation’s general circuit-racing rules.
Read the signals
All 15 entries in the circuit table of article 1, with their context. The final three concern a race start or the race direction vehicle.
In article 1 of the FFM 2026 rules, all flags are waved. Signals must be obeyed immediately.
LED panels may supplement or replace flags: their light signals have the same meaning.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
Yellow
Danger beside the track: slow down, with no overtaking.
If a rider or motorcycle remains on track after a crash, the relevant post shows double yellow. Yellow accompanies the SC panel for a safety car. On the inspection lap it marks the marshal’s position.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
Double yellow
Danger on the track: slow down, with no overtaking.
The previous marshal post waves a single yellow. Double yellow is used in particular when a rider or motorcycle remains on track after a crash.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
Red flag or red light
Race or practice stopped: return to the pits at reduced speed.
The flag is shown by race direction or post chiefs, only on the race director’s instruction.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
Yellow with vertical red stripes
Slippery surface for a reason other than rain.
Oil, gravel, grass, debris or a damp patch. After a crash on track it accompanies yellow, even if the bike ends up in the gravel; it is removed once the post chief has checked that grip has not changed.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
White with a red St Andrew’s cross
Drops of rain or rain affect this part of the circuit.
Marshals show it when rain starts at a point on the circuit and immediately inform the race director.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Waved flag
Blue
You are about to be overtaken: let the following rider pass at the first opportunity.
CNV 2026 gives this rule for practice and the race, without restricting it to lapping. “Information” does not mean optional: do not overtake within the group being passed. Blue + chequered at the finish: if the race leader is about to overtake a backmarker, that backmarker still has one lap to complete.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Waved flag
White
A slow-moving vehicle is on track; you may overtake it.
Shown when a vehicle is moving slowly on the track.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Waved flag
Black with orange disc + number
The indicated rider must leave the track as quickly as possible.
Shown by race direction or post chiefs, only on the race director’s instruction. Article 1 does not specify the reason for this signal here.
The illustrated number is an example: the signal applies to the rider whose number is displayed.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Waved flag
Black + number
The indicated rider must return to the pits and may not restart.
An individual stop signal, shown by race direction or post chiefs only on the race director’s instruction.
The illustrated number is an example: the signal applies to the rider whose number is displayed.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Waved flag
Black-and-white chequered
End of race or practice.
Do not confuse this with the chequered flag shown from the race direction vehicle, described below.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Panel + waved yellow
SC panel + yellow
Safety car on track: do not overtake it or other riders.
The SC panel is accompanied by a waved yellow flag when the safety car is on track. The panel drawing is schematic: the article does not specify its colours.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Waved flag
Race context
National flag — race start
Start of the race.
Starting lights must be used if the circuit has them. The national flag is used only if the lights fail or in endurance races.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
Race context
National flag — race direction vehicle
The track is closed to non-competitors.
This meaning applies to the national flag shown from the race direction vehicle, not the starting signal.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Waved flag
Race context
Chequered — race direction vehicle
The track is open to non-competitors.
This meaning applies only to the chequered flag shown from the race direction vehicle.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3Schematic drawings: illustrative colours and proportions, without animation. The national flag illustration represents France.
Test your signal reading
A set of 8 questions with four choices each. Choose the signal’s meaning in the stated context. The other choices describe signals from the same rules.
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Questions about the signals
Should I distinguish stationary and waved flags?
In article 1 of the FFM 2026 rules, all flags are waved. There is no separate stationary meaning in this table. LED panels may supplement or replace flags with the same meaning.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2What is the difference between one and two yellow flags?
A single yellow signals danger beside the track; double yellow signals danger on the track. In both cases, slow down and do not overtake. A single yellow is waved at the marshal post before the double yellow.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Which flag signals rain?
White with a red St Andrew’s cross indicates drops of rain or rain affecting the surface on that part of the circuit. Marshals must immediately inform race direction.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 3What should I do at a red flag or red light?
On a circuit, the race or practice is stopped: return to pit lane at reduced speed. The red flag is shown only on the race director’s instruction.
FFM 2026 · art. 1 · p. 2Sources
Règles générales CNV 2026 — VitesseArticle 1 “Official signals”, pages 2 and 3. 2026 edition, version dated 1 December 2025. Hill-climb rules and detailed starting procedures are outside this page’s scope.
Document read on October 18, 2026.
Original document in French. These explanations are paraphrases and translations of the French rules, not rules for other countries.
FFM publication page