Tractor Driver

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

60 to 62 seasonal

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How To Become a Tractor Driver

You can get into this job through:

a college course
applying directly

College / University

You could do:

Level 2 Award in Tractor Driving and Related Occupations course at an agricultural college.
Level 2 Award in Safe Working in Agriculture and Production Horticulture

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

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

There are no set entry requirements if you want to apply directly but experience in farming or dairying could be useful. A knowledge of basic mechanics might also be helpful.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to work on your own
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
knowledge of food production methods
concentration skills
analytical thinking skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

You could:

discuss work schedules with the farm manager
carry out equipment and machinery checks
input instructions into the cab’s control panels
plough fields and sow seeds
spray crops with fertilisers and pesticides
harvest vegetable, cereal and non-food crops
use baling machines to bind crops and hay ready for storage
maintain hedges and roadside verges with tractor cutting attachments
carry out basic maintenance and repairs

Working Environment

You could work on a farm.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, cramped, noisy, physically demanding and dusty.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You can take further training to operate a wider range of machinery, which will increase your job prospects.

There are opportunities to work as a tractor driver in other sectors, for example construction or in local government working in the maintenance of outdoor spaces.

With experience, you could become a supervisor, an agricultural contractor, machinery engineer or farm manager.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card to operate some machinery

Further information

You can find out more about working in farming from Tasty Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.