A career as a train driver

[jrayfield21]

Definitely and some probably quicker than that. It will be company dependent and how their talent pool sits.
For info I spent around 14 months in training before the 2 weeks of ‘passing out’. But you want the training to be really thorough as there’s a huge amount to learn. I’m from an IT related background so have some commonality with you.

If you think it’s something you’d like to do there’s nothing to lose in going for it and put your name in the hat. I have absolutely no regrets and think it’s an amazing job.

Cool, sounds good.

 

[AverageJoe]

Nothing to stop you going for it but it won’t necessarily be easy. Companies don’t recruit often and then the tests and competition for the job is fierce.

Also being 22 I’d suggest seriously consider how you will handle the shifts. You might find yourself working a lot of nights and weekends meaning you social life suffers big time.

 

[jrayfield21]

Nothing to stop you going for it but it won’t necessarily be easy. Companies don’t recruit often and then the tests and competition for the job is fierce.

Also being 22 I’d suggest seriously consider how you will handle the shifts. You might find yourself working a lot of nights and weekends meaning you social life suffers big time.

Yeah I have worked early/late before but will look out for any vacancies, got about a month left of work at this job

 

[mimoma]

Hi there, i'm seriously considering applying to become a train driver in the future, and was wondering what the Rough time that it could take from applying for a trainee train driver role to starting training? Or how long did it take sone people? I've read that it takes a while, so what sort of time frame? 3 months, 6 months, a year or longer?

Think you

From application to passing out as a qualified driver, for me it was 13 months. Applied in Nov 24, both days of psychometrics in Dec, DMI - job offer - medical - official offer all in Jan, started the classroom in March, started driving in Sept, and passed in Dec. From what I’ve read on here though that is very quick on the application to job offer and start date side of things.

 

[mickeyC]

Hi there, i'm seriously considering applying to become a train driver in the future, and was wondering what the Rough time that it could take from applying for a trainee train driver role to starting training? Or how long did it take sone people? I've read that it takes a while, so what sort of time frame? 3 months, 6 months, a year or longer?

Think you

I’m nearly 2 years since first application and have passed all my assessments/interviews, my medical is next week and once that’s passed I’ll be onboard for late April to start training.
Feels like an eternity but almost over the line.

 

[I2026]

From application to passing out as a qualified driver, for me it was 13 months. Applied in Nov 24, both days of psychometrics in Dec, DMI - job offer - medical - official offer all in Jan, started the classroom in March, started driving in Sept, and passed in Dec. From what I’ve read on here though that is very quick on the application to job offer and start date side of things.

No MMI?

 

[mimoma]

No MMI?

Included in the second day of psychometrics.

 

[CRSONE]

Looking at a change of career, would 45 be too old to get a trainee driver position? Figure i have 20 years of work ahead of me, no physical issues to stop me and a solid reliable compliance background to show i can turn up everyday and manage emergencies when they happen. Sounds very competitive for positions!

 

[mickeyC]

Looking at a change of career, would 45 be too old to get a trainee driver position? Figure i have 20 years of work ahead of me, no physical issues to stop me and a solid reliable compliance background to show i can turn up everyday and manage emergencies when they happen. Sounds very competitive for positions!

Go for it.
I was 43 when I applied, and I’ll be 46 later this year.
My medical is on Monday and that’s the final hurdle before I start training at the end of April.

 

[CRSONE]

Go for it.
I was 43 when I applied, and I’ll be 46 later this year.
My medical is on Monday and that’s the final hurdle before I start training at the end of April.

Thanks Mickey, appreciate the response, I'll start the search. Best of luck in your new job!

 

[Miltsey!]

Looking at a change of career, would 45 be too old to get a trainee driver position? Figure i have 20 years of work ahead of me, no physical issues to stop me and a solid reliable compliance background to show i can turn up everyday and manage emergencies when they happen. Sounds very competitive for positions!

I’m 47 (soon 48) and have just got through to the last stage in recruitment for a trainee driver - so long as I pass the medical I’ll be on the training scheme this year. Don’t let age stand in your way!

 

[officewalla]

Looking at a change of career, would 45 be too old to get a trainee driver position? Figure i have 20 years of work ahead of me, no physical issues to stop me and a solid reliable compliance background to show i can turn up everyday and manage emergencies when they happen. Sounds very competitive for positions!

No I was much older than you when I started training.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Feb 2026 ==

I’m nearly 2 years since first application and have passed all my assessments/interviews, my medical is next week and once that’s passed I’ll be onboard for late April to start training.
Feels like an eternity but almost over the line.

How long is a piece of string. Some TOCs with lots of vacancies can be quite quick and others will let you fester in a talent pool for a long time. Either way 9-18 months training is the norm so don't expect to be a driver by Christmas this year unless you are already in the system.

 

[jaybon92]

Drivers who smoke, just out of curiosity do you have enough time throughout the day to have a smoke ? If I become a driver I think id use snus/nicotine pouches as I dont think youd have any time

 

[I2026]

Drivers who smoke, just out of curiosity do you have enough time throughout the day to have a smoke ? If I become a driver I think id use snus/nicotine pouches as I dont think youd have any time

Stick head out window of cab???

 

[jaybon92]

Stick head out window of cab??? lol

Good idea

"This 350 identifies as a steam train"

 

[mjw374]

Looking for some advice.

I applied with WMT last year and got to the MMI in October which I failed on one question.

Just wondering what the rules are with reapplying, the OPC suggested 12 months since the date of failing before I can submit another application.

Is this a blanket rule for all TOC’s?

Thanks in advance

 

[Pintman]

Looking for some advice.

I applied with WMT last year and got to the MMI in October which I failed on one question.

Just wondering what the rules are with reapplying, the OPC suggested 12 months since the date of failing before I can submit another application.

Is this a blanket rule for all TOC’s?

Thanks in advance

Yes, MMI is part of the national process so you'll need to wait a year until you can resit with any TOC

 

[benpaulbaker]

Can't find an answer to this...
How does it work if you are a driver on a shift and it finishes many miles/hours from your home depot where you started?
Are you paid for that personal time lost? How do you get back to your base depot and car/home?

 

[Class2ldn]

It will be within your duty hours normally, freight may be different but don't know a whole lot about that side

 

[RiverDon]

Can't find an answer to this...
How does it work if you are a driver on a shift and it finishes many miles/hours from your home depot where you started?
Are you paid for that personal time lost? How do you get back to your base depot and car/home?

At my company your shift always finishes at your depot and you either drive a train, travel as a passenger on a train or get a taxi (provided by the company) to get you back to the depot. You are paid until you book off at your home depot.

I know some companies (LNER for the Inverness service for example) put their drivers up in hotels if they finish their shift a long way from home.

 

[officewalla]

Can't find an answer to this...
How does it work if you are a driver on a shift and it finishes many miles/hours from your home depot where you started?
Are you paid for that personal time lost? How do you get back to your base depot and car/home?

Ideally, everything will be done within rostered hours including passing back or a taxi for example. On occasion during disruption for example, when a rostered day is extended, the booking off time will be amended and paid at overtime rate or for an agreed amount (12 hours usually). If a driver ends up at the wrong depot, then a taxi back to home depot or in some cases home address is arranged. Never more than about 90 minutes away from home depot in my TOC so although it might be annoying, it is hardly the end of the world.

 

[Ridetherails]

Looking at a change of career, would 45 be too old to get a trainee driver position? Figure i have 20 years of work ahead of me, no physical issues to stop me and a solid reliable compliance background to show i can turn up everyday and manage emergencies when they happen. Sounds very competitive for positions!

Nope, I applied at 50, got accepted seat at 51

 

[Brickz]

Not sure if this is the correct thread but its a question about the assessment during training once employed.
So I know southeastern have this process where during your time on your training course as a trainee that if you fail any of the assessments just once its at their discretion whether your get a second chance at it or not but if you fail twice then your not allowed to reapply as a trainee train driver with them. Now im not worried about this but I am curious if/what other tocs/focs always take this approach? as does seem quite extreme, for example one of the recent times that I've been at the OPC centre in Watford there was a bloke that was saying he'd gotten to the final exam failed it and wasnt given a second chance.

 

[jaybon92]

Not sure if this is the correct thread but its a question about the assessment during training once employed.
So I know southeastern have this process where during your time on your training course as a trainee that if you fail any of the assessments just once its at their discretion whether your get a second chance at it or not but if you fail twice then your not allowed to reapply as a trainee train driver with them. Now im not worried about this but I am curious if/what other tocs/focs always take this approach? as does seem quite extreme, for example one of the recent times that I've been at the OPC centre in Watford there was a bloke that was saying he'd gotten to the final exam failed it and wasnt given a second chance.

In training, they are there to help you learn and pass the exams. Nothings a trick. Make sure you understand what you are being taught and you shouldn't have to worry

 

[Ashfordian6]

Not sure if this is the correct thread but its a question about the assessment during training once employed.
So I know southeastern have this process where during your time on your training course as a trainee that if you fail any of the assessments just once its at their discretion whether your get a second chance at it or not but if you fail twice then your not allowed to reapply as a trainee train driver with them. Now im not worried about this but I am curious if/what other tocs/focs always take this approach? as does seem quite extreme, for example one of the recent times that I've been at the OPC centre in Watford there was a bloke that was saying he'd gotten to the final exam failed it and wasnt given a second chance.

Doesn't sound that extreme to me! When you are out there driving, you are likely to be in pressure situations when using your rules/traction knowledge so having some pressure behind this while training is a good thing when you look at it objectively.

Additionally, the failing the assessments during training gives the TOC an easy termination clause if said student is displaying traits that would make them a problem employee in later on eg turning up late, bad attitude, laziness, etc

 

[Brickz]

Doesn't sound that extreme to me! When you are out there driving, you are likely to be in pressure situations when using your rules/traction knowledge so having some pressure behind this while training is a good thing when you look at it objectively.

Additionally, the failing the assessments during training gives the TOC an easy termination clause if said student is displaying traits that would make them a problem employee in later on eg turning up late, bad attitude, laziness, etc

Yeah they mention these on the document. Was more thinking like this bloke said he got to final test so by that point everyone has invested alot of time etc in the training. Its not something that worries me I was just curious if other company's take the same approach.

 

[AverageJoe]

Not sure if this is the correct thread but its a question about the assessment during training once employed.
So I know southeastern have this process where during your time on your training course as a trainee that if you fail any of the assessments just once its at their discretion whether your get a second chance at it or not but if you fail twice then your not allowed to reapply as a trainee train driver with them. Now im not worried about this but I am curious if/what other tocs/focs always take this approach? as does seem quite extreme, for example one of the recent times that I've been at the OPC centre in Watford there was a bloke that was saying he'd gotten to the final exam failed it and wasnt given a second chance.

If someone fails then it is either because they just don’t have what it takes or they didn’t put the effort in. (If there is outside factors like illness, loss of a loved one or something else out of your control then that will be taken into account)

I know of a few people who struggled towards the end to pass out and all of them it became clear had a bit of an attitude and/or work ethic issue which has continued even after they received additional help and did eventually pass out.

If you have passed the tests to get in the job (on your own back) and then apply yourself during training then I’m confident you will have no issue at all.

 

[CRSONE]

Not sure if this is the right place for it, apologies if not, but there is a trainee job up on linked in for Euston.

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West Coast Partnership Development

Not my region, but i thought people would be interested.

 

[Zugaga]

Not sure if this is the right place for it, apologies if not, but there is a trainee job up on linked in for Euston.

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West Coast Partnership Development

Not my region, but i thought people would be interested.

Morning! I am pretty new here myself but since you posted in this thread I am fairly confident that this is the same opportunity mentioned in the thread for the company in question, to wit:

Euston trainee driver open for 2026

Trainee Train Driver - Euston · First Trenitalia West Coast Rail

Trainee Train Driver: Drive Your Career Forward! At Avanti West Coast, we’re committed to creating a driver workforce that reflects the diverse commun...

www.careers.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

Edit: as I posted this I clocked the West Coast Partnership Development bit! I confess that I avoid LinkedIn where possible because of all the spam and scams.

 

[RobotBen91]

Is anyone on here waiting for a start date for Exeter St Davids? Passed my DMI back in September and been in the reserve list since. Just trying to work out the rough timescale.