Career Suggestion

Train driver

Train drivers operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and freight around the country.

Average salary (a year)

£27000.0 to £60000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

35.0 to 40.0

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

Apprenticeship

You can apply to a train operating company for a place on a Train Driver Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship takes between 1 and 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with classroom learning with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, in English and maths

More Information

equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could start as a rail passenger assistant, train conductor or revenues officer with a train company, then apply for a trainee driver post once you have built up your experience.

This is also a common way to become a London Underground driver with Transport for London .

Direct Application

You can apply directly to a train operating company to become a trainee driver.

Employers usually expect you to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.

You'll have to successfully complete a number of assessments, medical checks and interviews to be accepted onto a training course.

Training normally lasts between 1 and 2 years.

More Information

Career Tips

You can sign up for job alerts with train operating companies to find out about trainee driver vacancies.

The minimum age for driver training is going to be lowered from 20 to 18 later this year.

Further Information

You'll find train operating companies through the Rail Delivery Group.

You can get more information about working in the rail industry from Routes into Rail.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

concentration skills
the ability to operate and control equipment
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
knowledge of public safety and security
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
observation and recording skills
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
the ability to work well with others
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

be over 20 years of age
pass enhanced background checks
pass a medical check
live within 45 minutes to 1 hour's travel by car of the depot you're applying to

Day-to-day tasks

As a train driver, you'll:

check controls and equipment before and after journeys
drive trains between stations or freight depots, following a schedule
follow track signalling, speed and safety instructions along routes
speak with control centres and signal operators during journeys
make passenger announcements
record incidents like equipment problems, onboard issues or delays
take part in regular training on rail operations, safety and regulations

Working environment

Your working environment may be noisy and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Once you're qualified, you could work on passenger, freight or engineering trains. You may also choose to work on particular routes, for example Eurostar lines.

With experience, you could become a trainee instructor:

teaching new starters in the classroom
demonstrating cab controls and signals in a rail simulator
accompanying trainees on journeys, as they learn the routes

You could move into management, supervising driver performance and making sure trains and crew are where they need to be on the rail network. You might also move into operations management, planning future rail developments.

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