How to become a train driver in the UK

Becoming a train driver in the UK is a rewarding career path that requires dedication, commitment, and the right preparation. This guide will take you through every step of the journey.

Less than 5%

Average application success rate

9-12 months

Training duration

£27k-£33k

Starting salary

£48k-£68k

Qualified salary

Shift work including nights and weekends

Work pattern

Instructor or management

Career progression

Your journey to becoming a trainee train driver

Follow these essential steps to achieve your career goal

Understand the challenge

The Reality of Competition

Train driver positions are among the most competitive roles in the UK. For every vacancy, thousands of applications are received. Understanding where candidates fail helps you succeed:

70-90% rejected at CV stage due to poor presentation, lack of relevant experience, difficulty highlighting transferable skills or failure to meet key criteria
40-60% of remaining candidates fail at interview due to inadequate preparation and weak STAR technique examples
50-60% of remaining candidates fail psychometric assessments due to unfamiliarity with test formats and lack of practice