# PTS Course 2026: Personal Track Safety Guide & Practice Questions

> Prepare for the Network Rail PTS course in 2026: assessment, Sentinel card, renewal and key Rule Book safety facts, with practice questions.

- Source: https://studyforgelabs.com/pts-personal-track-safety-test-guide/
- Publisher: Studyforge Labs Ltd (UK company number 17563947)
- Last updated: 6 November 2026

Personal Track Safety (PTS) is the basic track safety competence you need before going on or near the line on Network Rail infrastructure in Great Britain. The course teaches the rules in the RSSB Rule Book Handbook 1, is assessed through theory and practical elements, and the competence is recorded against your Sentinel profile, which requires a sponsoring employer. PTS is currently valid for **two years** , and its core rule is simple: be in a position of safety **no less than 10 seconds** before a train arrives.

## PTS key facts

| Key fact | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **What it is** | The entry-level track safety competence for people who work on or near the line on Network Rail-managed infrastructure. |
| **Rules it is based on** | RSSB Rule Book Handbook 1 (GERT8000-HB1), General duties and track safety for track workers, Issue 8, in force from 7 December 2024. |
| **Course length** | Training providers currently list the initial PTS course with AC and DC conductor rail (DCCR) modules as two days, and recertification as one day. |
| **Assessment** | Theory plus a practical or verbal assessment, including a track visit. Check the number of questions and pass mark with your training provider. |
| **Sentinel** | You need a Primary Sponsor. The sponsor orders and pays for your Sentinel card once your photo, medical record, drugs and alcohol (D&A) record and right to work are on the system. |
| **Validity** | The PTS competence is valid for two years, after which you recertify. |

## What is Personal Track Safety (PTS)?

PTS proves you know how to keep yourself safe when you are on or near the line. Handbook 1 defines being on or near the line as being on the track itself, or within **3 metres (10 feet)** of a line where there is no permanent fence or structure between you and it. Anyone who works there, from track staff to surveyors and engineers, needs a valid PTS competence on their Sentinel record.

PTS is the foundation for other track safety roles, such as Controller of Site Safety (COSS), which build on it.

## PTS course and assessment

### Before the course

You must be sponsored by a rail employer who sets up your Sentinel profile and uploads valid medical and D&A information. Providers also require you to be 18 or over, with photo ID, good English and basic numeracy. You complete Network Rail PTS pre-learning online and bring the completion certificate on the day. Under Network Rail’s Drugs and Alcohol Standard (Issue 8), Network Rail employees no longer need to pass a D&A test in the three months before PTS training; contractors should confirm current screening requirements with their sponsor.

### What the course covers

- Getting to know the railway infrastructure
- Going on to the railway and the safe systems of work
- Walking or working on or near the line
- Communication, including COSS briefings and lookout warnings
- Emergency situations and how to report them
- AC overhead line and DC conductor rail electrification hazards
- A supervised track visit

### The assessment

You are assessed on your knowledge of the rules and whether you can interpret the Handbook and follow a safe system of work in practice, including during the track visit.

### Your Sentinel card on site

The [Sentinel Scheme Rules](https://info.railsentinel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sentinel-Scheme-Rules-V5.1-July-2025-1.pdf) require you to carry your card (virtual or physical) when working on managed infrastructure and to present it for a swipe-in, where the COSS or person in charge checks your competences before allowing access. You should not report for duty within 12 hours of your previous work unless your Primary Sponsor has approved a risk assessment.

### Renewal (recertification)

To attend a recertification course, providers require evidence of recent track experience: a logbook with at least four PTS entries endorsed by a COSS, or four entries in the Sentinel electronic logbook. Without them you must repeat the initial course. Under the Sentinel rules, the Primary Sponsor pays for required training, assessment and recertification.

## Key track safety rules from Handbook 1

These rules come from [Handbook 1, Issue 8](https://www.rssb.co.uk/standards-catalogue/CatalogueItem/gert8000-hb1-iss-8). Learn them exactly.

| Topic | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **Position of safety** | Where the maximum speed is 100 mph (160 km/h) or less, at least **1.25 metres (4 feet)** from the nearest line on which a train can approach; where it is over 100 mph, at least **2 metres (6 feet 6 inches)** . |
| **Lookout** | Look up at least every **5 seconds** and be in a position of safety **no less than 10 seconds** before a train arrives. |
| **Acknowledging the driver** | Raise **one arm** above your head when a driver sounds the warning horn, and stay in your position of safety until the train has passed clear. |
| **Crossing the line** | Never step on rails or sleepers, or between the movable parts of points. |
| **Lookout warnings** | Stop work, acknowledge the warning and move to a position of safety at once. A series of short, sharp blasts is an urgent warning. |
| **Working alone** | Never work alone unless you are a COSS or individual working alone (IWA). The COSS must brief you before you go on or near the line, and you sign the briefing form to confirm you understand it. |
| **Stopping a train in an emergency** | In daylight show a red flag or, if you have no flag, raise **both arms** above your head. In darkness or poor visibility show a red light or wave any light violently. |
| **Emergency calls** | Start with “This is an emergency call”, then give your name, exact location, what has happened (including any obstructed lines) and the emergency services needed. |
| **Equipment and fallen power lines** | Keep tools at least 2 metres from a line a train could pass on, and stay at least 5 metres from fallen overhead power lines. |

## How to prepare for the PTS course

1. Complete the Network Rail pre-learning carefully rather than clicking through it.
2. Learn the numbers by heart: 3 m, 1.25 m, 2 m, 100 mph, 5 seconds and 10 seconds.
3. Practise the hand signals until they are automatic: one arm to acknowledge, both arms for an emergency stop.
4. Test yourself with scenario questions and read the explanation for every answer.
5. Arrive with your ID, pre-learning certificate and the correct PPE for the track visit.

## Common mistakes

- Confusing the two position-of-safety distances or the 100 mph threshold.
- Forgetting that a permanent fence or structure affects whether you are on or near the line.
- Mixing up the one-arm acknowledgement with the two-arm emergency signal.
- Leaving a position of safety as soon as one train passes, without making sure no other train is approaching.
- Stepping on rails or sleepers when crossing the line.

## PTS practice questions

These original questions are based on Rule Book Handbook 1, Issue 8. They are not taken from any official assessment.

### Question 1

The maximum speed on a line is 90 mph. What is the minimum distance from the nearest line on which a train can approach for a position of safety?

- A. 1 metre
- B. 1.25 metres
- C. 2 metres
- D. 3 metres

**Answer: B.** Where the maximum speed is 100 mph (160 km/h) or less, a position of safety is at least 1.25 metres (4 feet) from the nearest line on which a train can approach. Above 100 mph it is 2 metres.

### Question 2

How long before an approaching train arrives must you be in a position of safety?

- A. No less than 5 seconds
- B. No less than 10 seconds
- C. No less than 20 seconds
- D. No less than 30 seconds

**Answer: B.** Handbook 1 requires you to be in a position of safety no less than 10 seconds before an approaching train arrives, and to look up at least every 5 seconds.

### Question 3

When are you considered to be “on or near the line”?

- A. Only when standing between the rails
- B. When within 3 metres (10 feet) of a line with no permanent fence or structure between you and it
- C. When within 10 metres of any railway line
- D. Whenever you are inside a station building

**Answer: B.** You are on or near the line if you are on the line itself or within 3 metres (10 feet) of it with no permanent fence or structure between you and the line.

### Question 4

You are in a position of safety and the driver of an approaching train sounds the warning horn. What should you do?

- A. Wave both arms above your head
- B. Raise one arm above your head
- C. Show a red flag
- D. Step towards the track so the driver can see you

**Answer: B.** You acknowledge the driver by raising one arm above your head, then stay in your position of safety until the train has passed. Both arms above the head is an emergency signal to stop a train.

### Question 5

In daylight you need to stop a train in an emergency, but you do not have a red flag. What should you do?

- A. Raise one arm above your head
- B. Raise both arms above your head
- C. Wave a hand lamp showing a white light slowly
- D. Stand in the four-foot facing the train

**Answer: B.** In daylight you should show a red flag. If you do not have one, raise both arms above your head.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does a PTS course take?

The initial Personal Track Safety course, including the AC and DC conductor rail modules, is currently listed by training providers as a two-day course. PTS recertification is usually one day.

### How much does a PTS course cost?

PTS course fees are set by individual training providers and change over time, so check current prices before booking. Under the Sentinel Scheme Rules, your Primary Sponsor pays for the training, assessment and recertification it requires you to hold, and the sponsor orders and pays for your Sentinel card.

### Can I get a PTS card without a sponsor?

No. Individuals cannot apply for a Sentinel card directly; you must be sponsored by a rail engineering employer, which acts as your Primary Sponsor. The sponsor sets up your Sentinel profile, uploads your medical and drugs and alcohol records, and orders your card.

### How long is a PTS certificate valid?

The PTS competence is valid for two years. To renew it you attend a recertification course, and providers require at least four PTS logbook entries endorsed by a COSS, or four entries in the Sentinel electronic logbook. Without that evidence you must take the initial course again.

### Do I need a medical and drugs test for PTS?

Yes, you need a valid medical record and a valid drugs and alcohol record on Sentinel before your sponsor can order a card. Network Rail removed the requirement for its own employees to pass a drugs and alcohol test in the three months before PTS training in 2025. Contractors should confirm the current screening rules with their sponsor.

### How hard is the PTS assessment?

The PTS assessment is straightforward for candidates who learn the Handbook 1 rules exactly. Most difficulty comes from mixing up key figures, such as the 1.25 metre and 2 metre positions of safety, or the hand signals. Practising scenario questions helps.

## Official resources

- [RSSB: Rule Book Handbook 1 (GERT8000-HB1) General duties and track safety for track workers](https://www.rssb.co.uk/standards-catalogue/CatalogueItem/gert8000-hb1-iss-8)
- [Sentinel: apply for a card](https://info.railsentinel.co.uk/apply/)
- [Sentinel Scheme Rules, version 5.1 (PDF)](https://info.railsentinel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sentinel-Scheme-Rules-V5.1-July-2025-1.pdf)
- [Network Rail: updated Drugs and Alcohol Standard bulletin (PDF)](https://safety.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DA-Health-Bulletin.pdf)

This guide is published by Studyforge Labs Ltd for study purposes and was last reviewed on 6 November 2026. Studyforge Labs and its apps are independent and are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Network Rail, RSSB or the Sentinel scheme. Exam details, fees and dates can change, so always confirm them with the official sources above before you book.

## Practice app

[Rail Track Safety Prep PTS](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/rail-track-safety-prep-pts/id6793793638) by Studyforge Labs: Personal Track Safety practice for the GB railway. Free to download on iPhone and iPad; full access is an in-app purchase. Android and web versions are coming soon.