FAQs

No. We welcome marshals from all around the world, some travel many thousands of miles to help us every year! Whether it’s one mile or 10,000 miles, we appreciate everyone who gives up their time to help.

Anyone who is 16 years of age or older and who is reasonably physically fit can marshal (16yrs to 18yrs with parental consent).

No. Whilst we’d love you to volunteer for every session, we know this isn’t always possible.

Many people do volunteer for the whole fortnight, many other marshals join us for the evening practice sessions in the first week, fitting their volunteering around their working day, and others help out over the weekends and Bank Holiday Monday.

We are always keen to ensure we have lots of marshals available for each session, so the more you can do, the better - we strongly encourage all new marshals to commit to at least three sessions to assist with their initial training.

You need to be present for the whole of each session, so plan to arrive at your marshal point at least 30 to 45 mins before the advertised road closure time. Expect to be on duty for the duration of the road closure time. In some situations, such as a serious incident, you may be required to remain on duty after the advertised road opening time, but we endeavour to limit this time to a minimum.

Yes. We offer a range of training options, both face to face and online.

Prior to your first marshalling session, you should complete our online training modules as this gives you important information on course procedures.

In addition to this, we have an introductory film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2ld0LPdO7A) and a Marshalling Matters booklet which all contain helpful information, everyone should watch and read these materials before each event.

We also strongly recommend that all marshals attend one of our day-long Incident Management Courses (IMC) which is available to everyone who has gained some experience (3 or more sessions) out on the course in order to learn more about flags, radios etc. It’s free, and lunch is provided. We run more than twenty courses throughout the year, on the island and at venues across the UK. Novice marshals must complete an IMC before they gain full marshal status. Find out more on our training page.

We also hold a drop-in refresher session before each event where marshals can re-acquaint themselves with the equipment and ask questions of our trainers and other senior marshals present, these sessions are open to new and experienced marshals, no booking required, more details are available on on our training page.

Yes, once fully trained, some people like the variety of marshalling at different points around the course, others make firm friends at one marshalling point and return to the same point every year. You can make your selection when you sign-on.

We expect novice marshals to remain at the same point, or within the same sector, as specified by their Chief Sector Marshal. This greatly assists your training and familiarity with the course in your area. You can select which sector you’d like to join when you sign-on.

We sometimes experience shortages in certain areas. When we do, we’d really appreciate your help in offering to move to ensure the course is fully covered. So please do move if asked, it may only be for one or two sessions, and by doing so you will be ensuring the event can go-ahead that day.

First, register your details. You will receive your "identification number" (previously known as a warrant number) by email, and you will be asked to set a password to allow you access to our online system.

Approximately one month before each event, we invite all registered marshals to “sign-on” (tell us what days you’re available and for where) - look out for emails and notification on our website and social media. We encourage everyone to sign-on online as soon as possible but if that is not possible, we can post you a form (on request) for you to complete and return to us.

You can also visit our office at the TT Grandstand during the TT or MGP fortnights to find out more and get involved.

You will need to collect your IOMTTMA-issued identification card, high viz tabard and marshal pack from us before you can go out on duty. Call in to our office at the TT Grandstand or join us at a pack collection night held at various venues around the island. Packs are available one week before the event begins, see our news updates section for more information.

You must display your (IOMTTMA supplied) event identification card (previously known as a warrant card), carry your photographic ID (passport, driving licence, ACU licence or MSA licence) and wear your (IOMTTMA supplied) high-vis tabard over your coat whenever you are on duty.

You will need warm, comfortable outdoor clothes or leathers, waterproof coat, stout footwear, plus sunscreen and a hat! For your own safety please ensure you wear long trousers (not shorts) and stout footwear (not trainers). Sturdy gloves are also advisable.

Bring a good supply of food and (non-alcoholic) drinks, cakes and sweets are optional!

You must display your (IOMTTMA supplied) event identification card (previously known as a warrant card), carry your photographic ID (passport, driving licence, ACU licence or MSA licence) and wear your (IOMTTMA supplied) high-vis tabard over your coat whenever you are on duty.

As a registered marshal signed-on for the event you will be insured by the ACU whilst you are on duty. This insurance also covers you when you are travelling from your (IOM-based) home or accommodation directly to your marshalling point and then from your marshalling point directly to your IOM-based home or accommodation.  

It is important to ensure your “in case of emergency” contact information is up-to-date on our system.  

Two minibuses leave the TT Grandstand ninety minutes prior to roads closing for each practice and race session, one travelling course-direction toward Ramsey, the other heading anti-clockwise over the Mountain (for TT, it travels to Creg ny Baa where it forms part of the convoy dropping marshals off over the Mountain). You’ll be collected after the session has finished and brought back to the TT Grandstand.

Seats are free of charge to registered marshals but must be booked in advance each day, in person, at our office. Please book early as seats are offered on a strictly first-come-first served basis.

Bus Vannin provide regular bus services around the island, including a TT Special and Night Owl buses. View bus and train timetables online at: bus.im

You can help too: If you can give a fellow marshal a lift in your car or on your bike, please do. This really helps us get everyone in the right place for the right time.

Arrive at your marshalling point in good time – we recommend at least 30 to 45 mins before the official road closure time. Ask for the Deputy Sector Marshal, she/he will be expecting you, will make you welcome and introduce you to other marshals at that point.

You will not be expected to take an active role at this stage, you will be placed with an experienced team where your role will be to watch and learn, and to ask questions. Take heed of their experience and follow their instructions closely.

Your safety, and that of your fellow marshals, is of utmost importance.

Marshals must not be under the influence of drink or drugs, nor should they use any type of camera or filming device while on duty. Anyone breaching the above rules will be asked to stand down from duty and be reported to the Chief Sector Marshal for further sanction.

We ask marshals to refrain from using or checking/using social media whilst they are on duty. If you wish to take photographs of you and your fellow marshals, please only do it before roads close or once they re-open.

Every new marshal registering with us starts out as a novice marshal, even if you have marshalled at other events or in other motorsports.

For every session you complete you will receive credits (one credit for a practice session, two credits for a full race day).

As of March 2019, as a novice marshal you must gain a minimum of seven credits and also complete our Incident Management Course (IMC) before you gain full marshal status.

Each day we draw an identity/warrant card number at random from the previous day’s practice or race attendance list and the winner will receive a gift voucher. A list of the winners will be announced on social media and via a notice displayed in our office. Winners must bring their identity/warrant card to the TTMA office to collect their prize.

Marshals qualify for a number of discounts, including free entry to many Manx Heritage sites, details can be found in your marshal pack.

As a thank you, we organise a get-together during each event for everyone who’s marshalled at that event. The event is for marshals only, admission is on a strictly first-come-first-served basis, on production of your warrant card only. Details can be found in your marshal pack.

You can travel to the island by boat from Heysham, Liverpool, Dublin or Belfast or fly from several airports in the UK and Ireland.

There are plenty of different types of accommodation available during race periods, from camping to hotels. Homestay, where you stay in someone’s home (similar to Airbnb) is a popular option for many marshals.

Be aware that both travel and accommodation options book up quickly and many marshals re-book a year in advance.

Whilst we are unable to help with the costs of travel and accommodation, the Steam Packet does have several schemes to assist marshals, see the advance booking and discount FAQs.

Arranging accommodation and travel is your responsibility and unfortunately it is not something the IOMTTMA is able to become involved with. We hope these links will help with your planning:

Travelling by boat with IOM Steam Packet: https://www.steam-packet.com/
Travelling by air via IOM Airport: https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/isle-of-man-airport/flight-destinations-and-timetables/

Homestay via Miquando: https://homestay.miquando.com/
IOM TT website accommodation offers: https://www.iomttraces.com/visit/where-to-stay
IOM TT website travel: https://www.iomttraces.com/visit

You may also like to contact these official IOM TT travel partners direct: https://www.iomttraces.com/visit/official-travel-partners

Marshals who sign-on and attend at least 5 sessions at TT (eg TT2019) will be contacted by the Steam Packet in April the following year (eg 2020) and invited to book travel for the following year's TT (eg 2021) in advance of the bookings being opened to the general public. Note: a session is a practice session or a raceday.

Marshals who travel to the island by the Steam Packet for both the TT and MGP may be eligible for a rebate. To qualify you must sign-on and attend a minimum of three sessions at TT and three sessions at MGP in the same year. The rebate, of up to £100, must be claimed after the MGP but before the end of October in the same year. You will be required to provide your booking references for your travel to both events. Note: A session is a practice session or a raceday.

Marshals who qualify for the discount will be emailed by the IOMTTMA at the end of the MGP event.

The Isle of Man TT Marshals Association is a limited company, it is not a charity and so we do not accept donations. If you would like to make a donation to help support Manx motorsport, may we suggest the Rob Vine Fund: robvinefund.im