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Train driver
Engine driver, London Underground driver, Eurostar driver, tube driver
Train drivers operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and freight around the country.
Average salary (a year)
£24000
Starter
£65000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
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 and begin a train driver advanced apprenticeship.
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 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.
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.
Training can last between 12 and 24 months.
More 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'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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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 accept criticism and work well under pressure
    The ability to work well with others
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
be over 20 years of age
live within 1 hour's travel of the depot you're applying to
pass a medical check
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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
You may need to wear a uniform.
Your working environment may be noisy and you may spend nights away from home.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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