FRA Federal Regulations Concerning the Use of Electronic Devices

49 CFR Part 220 Subpart C 

Must be turned OFF with 

earpieces removed when:

• On a moving train

• Any member of the crew is on 

the ground

• Any member of the crew is 

riding equipment during a 

switching operation

• Any RR employee is assisting 

in the preparation of the train 

for movement

Note: A railroad supplied electronic 

device not being used for an

authorized business purpose is subject 

to the provisions of Use of Personal

Electronic Devices in this regulation.

May only be used for authorized business purposes which must be

designated in writing by the railroad

A locomotive engineer operating the controls of a train may NOT use a 

device when –

• On a moving train

• Any crewmember is on the ground

• Any crewmember is riding equipment during a switching operation

• Any RR employee is assisting in the preparation of the train for movement

Use in a controlling cab (freight and passenger locomotives): Railroad 

operating employees shall NOT use a device unless-

• A safety briefing is held between all crewmembers; and

• All crew members agree it is safe to use the device

Use outside freight locomotive cabs is permitted if-

• The freight train crewmember is not fouling a track; and

• All crewmember agree it is safe to use the device

Dead Head Status – §220.311

Use by Dead Heading employees NOT in the controlling locomotive: 

• May use an electronic device only if the employee is not using the device in such a way that interferes with any railroad operating 

employee’s personal safety or performance of safety-related duties. 

Use by Dead Heading employees IN the controlling locomotive: Each electronic device must be turned OFF with earpieces removed when-

• On a moving train

• Any crewmember is on the ground (while any safety-related duty is being performed)

• Any crewmember is riding equipment during a switching operation

• Any RR employee is assisting in the preparation of the train for movement

Use of a device 

to conduct train 

or switching 

operations on a 

RR exempt 

under 

§220.9(b) 

when RR has 

fewer than 

400,000 annual 

working hours

Personal Electronic Devices – §220.305 Railroad Supplied Electronic Devices – §220.307

This document is general guidance only. Refer to 49 CFR Part 220 Subpart C for complete regulatory text.

* Railroad operating rules may implement more stringent requirements than this Federal regulation. *

To respond to 

an emergency 

involving 

operation of 

the RR or 

encountered 

while 

performing 

duty for the 

RR

Use of a personal device to take a photograph of a safety hazard or a violation of rail 

safety law, regulation, order or standard, provided:

•Camera is stand-alone, unless device is provided by RR and used in accordance with 

written guidance

•Camera, unless otherwise permitted, is turned off immediately after documentation

•Crewmember using the device is other than the locomotive engineer on a moving train

(Refer to 49 CFR §220.307 regarding use of RR supplied devices to take photographs)

A Medical 

device 

consistent 

with RR 

standards for 

medical 

fitness for 

duty

Exceptions to Subpart C Prohibitions – §220.309

(Must not interfere with any employee’s performance of safety-related duties)

Storage and 

display 

function of a 

device to 

refer to a RR 

rule, special 

inst., or other 

directive, if 

permitted by 

RR rule

Device is a 

standalone 

calculator 

used for 

authorized 

business 

purposes

Railroad operating employees (Generally T & E employees - refer to 49 CFR §220.5 for complete definition)shall not use an electronic device if 

that use would interfere with their safety-related duties or safety-related duties of another railroad operating employee.

No individual in the cab of a controlling locomotive shall use an electronic device that would interfere with a railroad 

operating employee’s performance of safety-related duties.

General Prohibitions – §220.303