Driver phone policies

[MerlinRail 804]

I’ve never really properly understood in-cab phone policies. Obviously it would be kinda stupid to be doomscrolling while driving, but what about when you have a bit of time before departure (eg at a terminus), or sat in a goods loop, or there’s a fault and you’re stranded for the next hour? Is it that strict or does it rely more on discretion?

 

[Hadlow Road]

Discretion, until something goes wrong - surely.

 

[RiverDon]

Discretion, until something goes wrong - surely.

There's no discretion at my TOC. Your phone must be off and preferably zipped in your bag if you are in charge of a train. That means if you have 20 minutes to departure or you are sitting at a red signal somewhere you can't sit on your phone either in the cab or the coach. If the unit has a key in the desk at any time then your phone must be off and managers will come and check for this. Other companies are probably different but mine is really really strict.

 

[Hadlow Road]

There's no discretion at my TOC. Your phone must be off and preferably zipped in your bag if you are in charge of a train. That means if you have 20 minutes to departure or you are sitting at a red signal somewhere you can't sit on your phone either in the cab or the coach. If the unit has a key in the desk at any time then your phone must be off and managers will come and check for this. Other companies are probably different but mine is really really strict.

That sounds much more reassuring, thank you.

 

[driverd]

Highly operator specific. Many operators require drivers to have access to a phone for operational purposes.

In every case, its unacceptable to be messaging/calling/scrolling whilst driving a train, however, beyond this its all different.

For instance, many operators will encourage the use of technology. At my place, I'm allowed to use any mobile device in the cab provided its not connected to data services and is in line with my duties - so think things like forms for degraded working and route maps. Its perfectly acceptable for me to plonk an ipad or phone (in flight mode) on the desk if necessary.

A prime example yesterday where I was cautioned over a small farm crossing that was given with mileage. Out comes the iPad to load up the maps and make sure that I correctly identify the location.

Some operators have a zero tolerance policy (like my former TOC), but this prevents many of the benefits that technology offers being realised.

 

[mike57]

Some operators have a zero tolerance policy (like my former TOC), but this prevents many of the benefits that technology offers being realised.

With the advent of 'GBR' will things like this be brought into line so that a common policy applies across the whole railway?

 

[driverd]

With the advent of 'GBR' will things like this be brought into line so that a common policy applies across the whole railway?

I cant imagine it'll be near the top of the priorities list. Streamlining management and control functions will likely be the immediate low hanging fruit.

 

[D1511]

Highly operator specific. Many operators require drivers to have access to a phone for operational purposes.

In every case, its unacceptable to be messaging/calling/scrolling whilst driving a train, however, beyond this its all different.

For instance, many operators will encourage the use of technology. At my place, I'm allowed to use any mobile device in the cab provided its not connected to data services and is in line with my duties - so think things like forms for degraded working and route maps. Its perfectly acceptable for me to plonk an ipad or phone (in flight mode) on the desk if necessary.

A prime example yesterday where I was cautioned over a small farm crossing that was given with mileage. Out comes the iPad to load up the maps and make sure that I correctly identify the location.

Some operators have a zero tolerance policy (like my former TOC), but this prevents many of the benefits that technology offers being realised.

This seems to strike a good balance between distraction and access to reference information, and that was an excellent example of that you gave. I think the phones off and zipped in your bag policy of other TOCs needs a review - although, as has been said, it will be quite far down the GBR to-do list.

 

[Straus]

With the advent of 'GBR' will things like this be brought into line so that a common policy applies across the whole railway?

Very likely to be Regionally varied depending on the viewpoint of each RMD.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Oct 2025 ==

Highly operator specific. Many operators require drivers to have access to a phone for operational purposes.

In every case, its unacceptable to be messaging/calling/scrolling whilst driving a train, however, beyond this its all different.

For instance, many operators will encourage the use of technology. At my place, I'm allowed to use any mobile device in the cab provided its not connected to data services and is in line with my duties - so think things like forms for degraded working and route maps. Its perfectly acceptable for me to plonk an ipad or phone (in flight mode) on the desk if necessary.

A prime example yesterday where I was cautioned over a small farm crossing that was given with mileage. Out comes the iPad to load up the maps and make sure that I correctly identify the location.

Some operators have a zero tolerance policy (like my former TOC), but this prevents many of the benefits that technology offers being realised.

I would prefer an ipad with no cellular function with tight restrictions on apps allowed.

Unfortunately not all train drivers are made the same and I've witnessed more than one at linespeed with their feet on the dash, book in hand.

 

[RiverDon]

I should of said we are allowed to use the company issued tablet in the cab during a failure (we aren't issued with paper traction manuals!) but it must be on flight mode and it is strictly during failures only. You can't just leave it out on the desk, it has to be in your bag.

 

[bahnause]

In Switzerland, this is regulated by higher-level regulations. Restrictions only apply while the train is in motion: no distracting activities or private conversations. If necessary, the speed must be reduced or the train stopped for work-related conversations or other necessary tasks. Since our iPad contains the timetable and route table, it is always placed in a visible location and online. This means that other documents such as maps or manuals are also quickly accessible during a stop.

 

[Horizon22]

With the advent of 'GBR' will things like this be brought into line so that a common policy applies across the whole railway?

I doubt it. Because for example, many operators are DOO which has a major impact on these policies across TOCs. The operational requirements for each operator will be different, GBR or not.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Phone off while in the driving cab - underway.

Never forgot a driver at a Yorkshire depot a few years ago rang rosters to talk about their Sunday shift. The roster clerk heard the AWS chime, dropped the phone and alerted the Driver Manager. That driver never drove another train for that TOC, and not sure if he does with any other.

Obviously a totally different matter if the train is standing still due to a failure of train, infrastructure or whatever. Driver takes the key out the desk and can talk.

Common sense really

 

[bengley]

Ahh, I do love the much more common sense attitude of freight operators compared to the silly policies most passengers companies seem to have implemented.

 

[stadler]

I see no problems with using a phone while stationary. It is not going to cause any safety issues if the train is just sitting stationary at a railway station or on a loop waiting for a signal. Obviously phones should never be used while the train is in motion but banning them when the train is stationary is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Recessio]

Ahh, I do love the much more common sense attitude of freight operators compared to the silly policies most passengers companies seem to have implemented.

What are the policies for freight operators?

 

[LCC106]

Stopped in a platform rather than the red a couple of hundred yards away due to a vulnerable person. A Manager (from elsewhere in the business) was on board. Introduced himself and I asked him to phone my partner to say I may not be back in time for school pick up. Worst case scenario I would use my own phone to place dets or do other lineside activities when my key was out, otherwise Guard’s phone all the way! (Or anyone else’s!)

 

[Horizon22]

Stopped in a platform rather than the red a couple of hundred yards away due to a vulnerable person. A Manager (from elsewhere in the business) was on board. Introduced himself and I asked him to phone my partner to say I may not be back in time for school pick up. Worst case scenario I would use my own phone to place dets or do other lineside activities when my key was out, otherwise Guard’s phone all the way! (Or anyone else’s!)

Which is why this cannot apply on a blanket case and there are even differences within operator - a DOO service driver could obviously not use the guard's phone.

 

[bengley]

What are the policies for freight operators?

Obviously they all differ slightly so I don't speak for one in particular, but if stood at a red signal there wouldn't be an issue with a driver using their phone, indeed if control need to get in touch with a driver they may well send a text and ask the driver to call them when safe

 

[bluesfromagun]

My employer are like the Gestapo about it - whether stationary or not, if a key is in the desk then it has to be switched off. There was an incident last year where one of our drivers was photographed stationary at a platform, before departure time, at a red, DRA in - with his phone in his hand. That driver isn't a driver anymore.

 

[Brubulus]

This incident might be a reason why they're strict about it while at stations - despite the incident in question, not being directly caused by phone use. (from 2015)
https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tocs-issued-warning-over-driver-mobile-phone-use-

A warning has been issued for train operating companies (TOCs) to ensure that drivers do not use their mobile phones while operating a train, following an investigation into an incident last year when a passenger’s hand was trapped in a door.

 

[NSEWonderer]

I see no problems with using a phone while stationary. It is not going to cause any safety issues if the train is just sitting stationary at a railway station or on a loop waiting for a signal. Obviously phones should never be used while the train is in motion but banning them when the train is stationary is a bit ridiculous.

Depends on TOC policy. Ours is clear, train in secure, emergency brake on. Step out the cab or in an emergency then away from the controls if you need to use the phone.

 

[Iron_Duke]

This incident might be a reason why they're strict about it while at stations - despite the incident in question, not being directly caused by phone use. (from 2015)
https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/tocs-issued-warning-over-driver-mobile-phone-use-

Add in the incident at Bromsgrove in 2020 as well.

I attended a training event (I'm not a mainline train driver btw) a few years ago where a RAIB made a presentation and talked about analysing phone usage in cabs. They stated they'll analyse data sent/received from the phone via the phone company to judge whether the phone was being used in the cab - no need to unlock devices.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ahh, I do love the much more common sense attitude of freight operators compared to the silly policies most passengers companies seem to have implemented.

With passenger operators there are issues of "optics" as well as actual safety, i.e. how does it look to the public in terms of their confidence. That would explain passenger TOCs having stricter policies on things like this. I don't doubt that the policies on passenger airlines are stricter than freight-only ones, and similarly that policies applying to coach drivers are stricter than lorry drivers, despite the fact that there is little safety difference between them in practice.

 

[bengley]

My employer are like the Gestapo about it - whether stationary or not, if a key is in the desk then it has to be switched off. There was an incident last year where one of our drivers was photographed stationary at a platform, before departure time, at a red, DRA in - with his phone in his hand. That driver isn't a driver anymore.

Absolutely ludicrous

 

[PLY2AYS]

Some TOCs forbid use of an electronic device/phone up to 10 minutes before driving a train.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Some TOCs forbid use of an electronic device/phone up to 10 minutes before driving a train.

What a strange policy! What are the grounds for that?

 

[martin2345uk]

Some TOCs forbid use of an electronic device/phone up to 10 minutes before driving a train.

This seems to be going to a slightly absurd extreme to me

 

[PLY2AYS]

What a strange policy! What are the grounds for that?

Distracting a driver before moving a train apparently.
Presumably a lot of stressful phone conversations/exchanges are had by our drivers before or during work!

This seems to be going to a slightly absurd extreme to me

Agreed.
Alas, that’s the T&Cs at Chiltern!

You’d imagine that a PNB would be yours to do what you want in, but in theory, you’d be limited in phone use towards the end of it.

Whether it means 10mins before prepping a cab, or 10mins before actually putting it into direction and taking a signal however, is something I’ve not really checked.

(Additionally, it’s not exactly an enforceable policy)

 

[renegademaster]

They stated they'll analyse data sent/received from the phone via the phon

I'm guessing this is with company phones otherwise it sounds a bit like my mum insisting she has invisible eyes in the back of her head. It would be very illegal for them to be snooping on your personal phone records