Train Driver

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £60,000

Typical Hours

35 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Train Driver

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

Apprenticeship

You can apply to a train operating company and begin a train driver advanced apprenticeship.

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

Routes into this Career

You can start as a rail passenger assistant or train conductor, then apply for a trainee driver post. This is also a common way to become a London Underground driver.

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.

Training can last between 12 and 24 months.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

concentration skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to operate and control equipment
knowledge of public safety and security
observation and recording skills
the ability to work well with others and on your own
knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In this role you'll:

check controls and equipment before a journey
drive the train between stations or freight depots
speak with control centres along the route about any issues
follow track signalling, safety and speed instructions
leave platforms and pull into stations safely
make passenger announcements
control automatic doors
position and hand over engines to drivers on the next shift
record incidents like equipment problems, onboard issues or delays

Working Environment

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

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

Once you're qualified, you could work on passenger, freight or engineering trains.

With experience, you could combine your job with instructing trainee drivers, who are learning new routes and cab controls. You could also become a driver trainer, teaching new starters in the classroom, working with driver simulators and accompanying trainees on journeys.

You could move into management, supervising drivers and making sure trains and crew are where they need to be on the rail network. Operations management is another possibility, planning future rail developments.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

A good way to find out about trainee driver vacancies is to sign up for job alerts with train operating companies.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a train driver from The Train Drivers Academy.

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

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

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