Tram Driver

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £28,000

Typical Hours

39 to 41 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Tram Driver

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

You could do a Level 2 Diploma in Rail Services - Tram and Light Rail Vehicle Driving.

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a passenger transport driver intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You can start as a passenger assistant or conductor and move into driving work after taking company training.

You could apply to tram operating companies for tram driver training. Some employers will prefer you to have a few GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), particularly in English and maths.

You'll usually need a driving licence to apply. Experience as a bus, coach or train driver would be useful but is not essential.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

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

Day To Day Tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties, you may:

carry out equipment checks at the start of your shift
drive the tram along set routes
pick up and drop off passengers at tram stops
keep in radio contact with the control room for up-to-date route information
make passenger announcements (this may be automated)
write up reports on any incidents that happened during your shift

Working Environment

You could work from a vehicle.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could move into a supervisory role, like depot manager or route manager.

With further training you could become a driving trainer, teaching new staff how to drive trams.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in passenger transport from Careers That Move.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

be over 18 years of age
have a full driving licence
pass a medical check
be screened for drugs and alcohol