Operation Tramline: What Every Professional HGV & PCV Driver Must Know
Key takeaways
- Unmarked HGV “supercabs” have recorded 51,500+ offences across 35 police forces since launch.
- The cabs are owned and maintained by National Highways and loaned to police for targeted operations.
- For professional drivers, mobile phone cases can go to court with fines up to £2,500 (lorry/bus) and a likely Traffic Commissioner referral.
- Real outcomes include vocational licence suspensions and revocations.
What Operation Tramline Actually Is
Operation Tramline uses unmarked HGV tractor units (“supercabs”) to give officers an eye-level view into lorry and coach cabs. Officers record offences on camera and coordinate stops with marked units. The supercabs are owned by National Highways and deployed with police partners around England and Wales.
How Big Is the Problem?
In April 2025, National Highways marked 10 years of Tramline with a headline stat: more than 51,500 offences recorded since launch across 35 forces. That isn’t scaremongering; that’s the official tally.
| Operation | Location / Date | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| M6 week of action | West Mids / Jul 2024 | ~230 offences spotted using National Highways’ unmarked HGV cabs. |
| A1 focused patrol | Lincolnshire / Apr 2025 | 145 offences in one operation: seatbelts (47), mobile phones (21), insecure loads (9), plus drivers’ hours issues. |
| Motorway corridors | Warwickshire / 2023–2025 | Multiple ops detecting 100+ offences in days; forces explicitly note the cab is National Highways owned. |
Penalties That Hit Professional Drivers Hard
For HGV and PCV drivers, handheld phone use isn’t a slap on the wrist. It starts as 6 points + £200 fixed penalty, but in court the maximum fine rises to £2,500 for lorry/bus drivers, and you risk disqualification. Cases also trigger Traffic Commissioner scrutiny of your vocational entitlement.
| Offence | Typical outcome (baseline) | Escalation for professionals |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld mobile phone while driving | £200 + 6 points | Up to £2,500 in court (lorry/bus) + likely referral to the Traffic Commissioner. |
| No seatbelt | Fine / points | Higher professional expectation; repeated breaches damage conduct record. |
Yes, your employer will hear about it—and repeated issues are career-limiting.
Real Cases: Court & Traffic Commissioner Outcomes
- Filming traffic from the cab (HGV, M60): Driver caught using a handheld phone to film while driving. Outcome: vocational entitlement revoked; 3-month disqualification.
- M6 week of action: Officers recorded around 230 offences in 7 days; several cases progressed to court due to seriousness.
- A1 multi-offence operation: 145 offences including phones, seatbelts, insecure loads and hours breaches; follow-on hearings reported.
- Sanctions snapshot (TC annual report 2024–25): Recent vocational cases include revocations, lengthy disqualifications and suspensions for professional conduct issues.
What’s Getting Professional Drivers Caught
- Phone in hand—texting, filming, scrolling.
- No seatbelt (still the top offence in Tramline data sets and press updates).
- Eating/drinking, paperwork on the move, or otherwise not in proper control.
How the Supercabs Work (and Who Owns Them)
Unmarked tractor units with a police officer on board run patrols on strategic routes. The high seating position gives a clear view into lorry and coach cabs; onboard video captures the evidence; a marked unit or the cab itself conducts the stop. The vehicles are owned and maintained by National Highways and loaned to forces when targeted operations are planned.
What To Do Now (So You Don’t End Up in a Report)
- Phone out of reach before you move. No exceptions.
- Buckle up, every time. It’s basic—and it’s checked constantly.
- No paperwork, no eating, no “quick look”. Do it parked.
- Know the rules. Review GOV.UK guidance and Highway Code updates if it’s been a while.
FAQs
Who owns the trucks used in Operation Tramline?
National Highways owns and maintains the unmarked HGV “supercabs”, lending them to police forces for targeted campaigns.
Can a mobile phone offence really cost me £2,500?
Yes. The fixed penalty is £200/6 points, but in court the maximum fine is £2,500 for lorry/bus drivers, and you can be disqualified. Expect a Traffic Commissioner referral for vocational conduct.
Do Traffic Commissioners actually suspend drivers?
Yes. Recent reports show revocations, suspensions and disqualifications for professional conduct failures. For mobile phone offences usually 28 days but it can be longer!
