Train driver minimum age to be reduced.

[Beeyar Wunby]

Apparently TOCs can't get enough recruits to become train drivers, so they're dropping the minimum age.

At the moment you can start training at 20, but can't be given the licence before you reach 21.

https://www.itv.com/news/2025-05-06/...-amid-shortage

[27vet]

What is the minimum age in other countries that have sophisticated train systems? Something I've never looked up. It's quite a good career IMHO. Maybe the youths of today have different outlooks to what we had in the days of my youth. Lowering the age limit won't change much ��

[Beeyar Wunby]

I don't know what age other countries start at.

It's interesting though that many modern train drivers choose the job in midlife. I was 37 when I started, and it was my 3rd career. The oldest person I've met was 55 when he started.

It certainly requires excellent concentration, interpersonal skills and maturity.

There's something rather dishonest about this suggestion that they find enough applicants though. There's thousands of wannabees who would like to drive trains. We had 1400 applicants for 8 positions. The shortage of train drivers is completely due to Train Operators choosing not to employ enough. It's far more profitable for them to employ the bare minimum required, and then pay loads of overtime when there's extra jobs to cover. This is because every driver brings the cost of training, holiday pay, route refreshers, uniforms and national insurance. The more you have, the more it costs.