Hello, i'm new here and i want someone to guide me. I'm a european citizen and i want to move in uk to be a train driver, can i do that or i have to stay a few months first? And i'm quite confused with process to be a train driver, how,where... if someone can explain it or send a link i would be thankful
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Can a european citizen work as a train driver?
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Not sure about the ins and outs of train driving but as far as employment goes, you are free to work and live in any country that is part of the EU. I could go to Germany and wok in an office. Not sure if you need a work permit, but being that you're european then obtaining one wouldn't be too hard. Have you looked on the .gov.uk website for the rules if you're not a UK citizen.
In my old job, I had some people from spain and belgium working, and they just applied like everyone else.
In my old job, I had some people from spain and belgium working, and they just applied like everyone else.
Hi there,
at the company I work for doing passenger trains out of London, we have a number of drivers from EU countries, examples being Poland, Netherlands and Spain to name just a few.
Please bear in mind that this career is in great demand in the UK so not at all easy to get into. You will need to demonstrate that you have worked in an environment where safety is vital, perhaps have some customer facing skills and to show high levels of concentration. If you do not have this experience then due to the amount of applicants for each train driving job then you are unlikely to be offered a place on a training course. If this is the case then a good route in would be to get a job as a bus driver first as I know that quite a few of my colleagues came from a bus driving career into the railways.
Without wanting to put you off, the training is quite intense and you must have a good grasp of the English language, firstly so that you absolutely understand what you are taught in the classroom and also because clear and understandable verbal communications are required on a daily basis, an example being when you need to communicate with the signaller. Doing something wrong because you did not understand what the signaller told you or he did not understand you, can have major impacts on safety and possibly lead to loss of your job.
Good luck with your quest, I am sure other posters on this forum will be along to add to what I have put.
EDIT: to further answer your question, there is a 'sticky' post at the top of this forum page detailing the steps to becoming a train driver.
at the company I work for doing passenger trains out of London, we have a number of drivers from EU countries, examples being Poland, Netherlands and Spain to name just a few.
Please bear in mind that this career is in great demand in the UK so not at all easy to get into. You will need to demonstrate that you have worked in an environment where safety is vital, perhaps have some customer facing skills and to show high levels of concentration. If you do not have this experience then due to the amount of applicants for each train driving job then you are unlikely to be offered a place on a training course. If this is the case then a good route in would be to get a job as a bus driver first as I know that quite a few of my colleagues came from a bus driving career into the railways.
Without wanting to put you off, the training is quite intense and you must have a good grasp of the English language, firstly so that you absolutely understand what you are taught in the classroom and also because clear and understandable verbal communications are required on a daily basis, an example being when you need to communicate with the signaller. Doing something wrong because you did not understand what the signaller told you or he did not understand you, can have major impacts on safety and possibly lead to loss of your job.
Good luck with your quest, I am sure other posters on this forum will be along to add to what I have put.
EDIT: to further answer your question, there is a 'sticky' post at the top of this forum page detailing the steps to becoming a train driver.
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deltic
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If you are a EU, EEA or Switz passport holder you have the right to work in the UK
t_star2001uk
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Hi
Do you have a railway background in your home country?.
Have a look at the many threads in the "Railway Jobs & Careers" section on this forum, there are some very good resources available.
About one person out of every 500 who apply to be a train driver actually get through all the tests and get taken on, probably not the best idea to come over here with the sole intention of becoming a train driver, the odds are stacked against you!
rf_ioliver
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As an EU Citizen, yes you have the right to live and work in any other EU country. This also applies to Swizerland, Iceland and the various microstates, though some conditions can apply.
Most countries have the concept of work permit, which as an EU citizen you are automatically entitled to, but you might have to reapply after a given period of time. For example, in Finland you get the work permit automatically and then as an EU ciziten if became permanent after 5 years. Things might have of course changed since I did this a while back...
While you have the rights to all this, certain local conditions can apply and it would be your responsibility to ensure that you comply with these, for example, you might have to prove [English] language ability. Of course as some have already stated there is fierce competition for jobs, especially as a train driver in the UK.
t.
Ian
theironroad
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Let's be clear, the EU is not a country and therefore it is not possible to be a 'citizen' of the EU. citizenship is based on nation state nationality.
However, if you a a citizen of a country that is part of the EU then you have the right to live and work in the UK.
You are therefore more than welcome to apply for jobs in the UK, including on the railway and as a train driver.
As others have said, competition these days is quite tough for driving jobs so you need to have something that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Having said that, there are a few Drivers and guards around who come from other eu countries, so it is perfectly possible.
However, if you a a citizen of a country that is part of the EU then you have the right to live and work in the UK.
You are therefore more than welcome to apply for jobs in the UK, including on the railway and as a train driver.
As others have said, competition these days is quite tough for driving jobs so you need to have something that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Having said that, there are a few Drivers and guards around who come from other eu countries, so it is perfectly possible.
notadriver
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I think nowadays it's quite hard to get a job as a bus driver if you don't already have the licence. Added to that would be the fact that you're tied in for 2 years or have to repay the training bond.
I think an easier way to increase your chances is to join the railway doing another role such as platform staff or conductor guard. This would at least give you an idea of how the railway works and you'd find the train drivers course easier.
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