Wed, 07 May 2025

Wed, 07 May 2025 Minimum age to be a train driver lowered to 18

The move is aimed at combatting driver shortages which cause the majority of disruption to rail services.

* The UK government has lowered the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18 in an effort to address driver shortages and tackle retirement.
* Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced the change, citing it as "bold action" to improve train services and create thousands of jobs.
* Research by the Rail Safety and Standards Board found that 18-year-olds are capable of safely becoming train drivers.
* The change is expected to open up opportunities for school leavers and young people who want to start their careers early.
* Train driver Charlie Potts, 22, welcomed the decision, saying he would have applied at 18 if given the chance.
* Industry experts estimate that around 30% of current train drivers will reach retirement age by 2029, exacerbating existing shortages.
* The change is also expected to increase diversity in the industry, with fewer than 9% of current train drivers being female and under 12% from an ethnic minority.
* The average salary for a UK train driver is estimated to be around £69,000 per year, although wages vary between companies.
* Training to become a mainline train driver typically takes one to two years and new job opportunities are expected to become available as early as December.
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