A method and apparatus is disclosed for dynamically activating gateway functions on a communication device which is operating in trunked mode. The communication device calculates an estimated probability that at least one associated communication device is out of a network coverage area. The communication device determines that the associated communication device is inaccessible or is operating in an operating mode consisting of a trunked mode or a direct mode when the estimated probability is calculated to be at or below a predefined threshold. The communication device automatically activates its gateway functions and is configured to function as a direct mode gateway for at least one associated communication device when it determines that the associated communication device is operating in the direct mode.