Supporting the future
of train driving

Yes - you can apply straight from school or college, and some train companies accept applications from under 18s.

You won’t always start training immediately though:

• You need to be at least 17 years and 6 months to begin a Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship, but realistically the earliest you can start training is around 17 years and 9 months
• Some companies may choose to start you at 18 instead

If you leave school after Year 11, you can legally do so at 16 – but you must stay in education, employment or training until you’re 18. 

At the same time, you may need to wait before starting train driver training – most people won’t start training until around 17 years 9 months or 18, depending on the company. 

This means there’s often a gap of up to 1-2 years between leaving school and starting a driver role. 

How to use this time well 

This period is a great opportunity to build the skills that train companies look for, such as: 

• Concentration and focus 
• Responsibility and reliability 
• Communication skills 
• Working under pressure 
• Following rules and procedures 

Good options to consider 

You could spend this time:

• Studying at college 
• Taking part in a rail or skills-based course 
• Starting an apprenticeship 
• Gaining work experience, especially in customer-facing or safety-focused roles

These pathways can help you: 

• Build confidence and real-world experience 
• Develop the behaviours needed for the role 
• Strengthen your application when you’re ready to apply 

In most cases, no - you don’t need formal qualifications to apply.

Train companies usually focus more on your skills, behaviour, and potential than academic results.

So what about English and Maths?

• Some companies do ask for Level 2 English and Maths, GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent
• Many don’t require these at the start
• If you don’t already have them, you may be supported to complete them during training

What matters most?

Employers are mainly looking for people who:

• Can stay focused and follow rules
• Are reliable and responsible
• Are willing to learn and develop

Not at all.

Many people, especially young people, feel:

• Less confident starting work
• Nervous about responsibility
• Unsure in new environments

Train operators understand this and will support you as you build confidence.

Train driver roles are highly competitive, with many applicants for each vacancy.

The selection process usually includes:

• An application form
• Psychometric assessments
• Interviews
• Medical and safety checks

How you can prepare

The good news is that you won’t be going in blind.

• Most train companies provide practice materials for the psychometric assessments
• These help you understand what the tests involve and how to approach them

You can also improve your chances by developing the essential skills needed for the role.

This will help you understand:

• What the role really requires
• How to build the right skills and behaviours
• How to prepare effectively for the selection process