Convoy & Mobile Group Communications SOP
Use this SOP any time two or more vehicles must stay together. It standardizes roles, call signs, and short radio scripts so your group can move without confusion.
1) Purpose & Operating Rules
This is written for families and small groups. The goal is simple: stay together, avoid accidents, and prevent panic when someone loses contact.
When to use it
- Evacuation or relocation movement.
- Supply runs with multiple vehicles.
- Convoy travel through uncertain areas.
What “good” looks like
- One voice at a time.
- Short, repeatable messages.
- No chatter; only callouts.
Hard rules
- Lead controls speed/direction.
- Trail reports separation first.
- “Stop, stop, stop” overrides all.
Minimum standard: Every vehicle has a working radio, a shared channel plan, and a printed call sign card on the dash.
2) Roles & Responsibilities
Assign roles before movement. If you skip this step, everything else breaks under stress.
Lead
- Sets pace and navigation.
- Calls turns, hazards, and stops.
- Maintains radio discipline.
Middle vehicles
- Maintain spacing and visual contact.
- Report issues early (mechanical/passengers).
- Repeat critical calls if needed.
Trail
- Confirms the convoy is intact.
- Reports separation first.
- Anchors regroup if stopped.
Succession: If Lead is disabled, Trail becomes Lead unless you pre-briefed a backup lead.
3) Call Signs & Channel Plan
Use call signs only. Names cause confusion and missed messages.
Call signs (simple set)
- Lead: LEAD
- Front-to-back: ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE
- Last: TRAIL
Channel plan (fill in)
- Primary: Channel ___
- Backup: Channel ___
- Rule: No channel changes without announcement.
Message format
- Who you’re calling ? who you are ? message.
- Example: “Lead, this is Bravo: tire issue, need pull-off.”
Radio check order: Lead calls. Then Alpha ? Bravo ? Charlie ? Trail replies.
4) Convoy Communications SOP (Step-by-Step)
Run this sequence every time. Consistency beats cleverness.
Pre-movement
- Assign Lead/Trail (and backup lead).
- Confirm primary/backup channels.
Rolling discipline
- No chatter; callouts only.
- Maintain spacing; avoid bunching.
Separation rule
- If you lose visual ~30 seconds: announce and slow safely.
- Do not speed up blindly.
Stop rule: “All vehicles stop, stop, stop” = immediate safe stop and regroup.
5) Radio Scripts & Templates (Use These Words)
Short scripts reduce panic and cut repeats. Keep your phrasing boring and consistent.
Radio check
- “Lead to convoy, radio check.”
- “Alpha copies.” / “Bravo copies.” / “Charlie copies.”
- “Trail copies.”
Speed & spacing
- “Lead reducing speed to 35.”
- “Lead increasing speed to 45.”
- “Bravo creating space.”
Hazards, turns, reroute
- “Lead right turn in 300 yards.”
- “Hazard right shoulder, slow.”
- “Lead rerouting: next left.”
Separation & stop
- “Bravo lost visual on Alpha.”
- “Trail lost visual on convoy.”
- “All vehicles stop, stop, stop.”
Vehicle problem
- “Lead, this is Bravo: mechanical issue, need pull-off.”
- “Lead, this is Alpha: passenger issue, need stop.”
- “Trail, this is Lead: confirm last vehicle is in.”
Regroup confirmation
- “Lead: regroup at next safe pull-off.”
- “Trail: last vehicle is in.”
- “Lead: convoy rolling.”
6) Checklists
Print these and keep one copy per vehicle.
Pre-movement checklist
- Fuel level confirmed for each vehicle.
- Route and one alternate reviewed.
- Primary/backup channels confirmed.
- Lead/Trail assigned (backup lead named).
- Radio check completed in order.
- Headlights on; hazards off unless stopping.
Rolling checklist (10–15 min)
- Lead confirms route still valid.
- Trail confirms convoy intact.
- Any issues reported early.
- Spacing corrected (no bunching).
Stop / regroup checklist
- Stop in a safe pull-off (not blind curves).
- Lead states reason for stop.
- Trail confirms last vehicle is in.
- Resume only after “convoy rolling.”
7) Actions on Communication Failure
When comms fail, speed control and regroup rules keep you together.
Immediate steps
- Try primary: call once, wait, call again.
- Switch to backup if pre-briefed.
- Slow to the pre-briefed speed.
Visual signals
- Use turn signals early.
- Hazards are for stopping or a clear warning.
- Do not weave or rush to catch up.
Regroup rule
- Next safe, obvious pull-off.
- Lead announces; Trail confirms.
- Resume only when intact.
Golden rule: If you’re the vehicle with the problem, you slow down. The convoy does not speed up to “catch” anyone.
8) Common Mistakes
Most convoy failures are communication failures. Fix these first.
Radio problems
- Chatter blocks critical calls.
- Changing channels without acknowledgment.
- Using names instead of call signs.
Callout problems
- Late hazards with no direction/location.
- Long explanations instead of short scripts.
- No repeat when unsure others heard.
Movement problems
- Spacing collapse (accordion braking).
- Speeding up blindly after separation.
- No regroup rule agreed ahead of time.
9) Quick Reference (Print This)
Keep this section on one screen for fast recall.
5 rules
- One voice at a time.
- Lead controls speed & direction.
- Trail reports separation.
- Silence unless necessary.
- Slow is smooth; smooth is safe.
Emergency words
- “Stop, stop, stop” = immediate safe stop.
- “Lost visual” = slow and report.
- “Hazard left/right” = reduce speed.
Regroup rule
- Next safe pull-off.
- Lead announces.
- Trail confirms last vehicle is in.
Reminder: Print one copy per vehicle with your channel plan filled in.
