Train driver
Drive trains on local and national rail networks, making sure that passengers and freight reach their destination.
About the job
A day in the life – Train driver
What it's like
Go full steam ahead in a career as a train driver!
You'll drive trains on local and national rail networks – controlling speed, acceleration and braking. It's your responsibility to make sure passengers and freight arrive at their destination safely and on time.
The passengers will trust you to act responsibly and keep them safe. It's very important you follow safety rules closely. You'll also need to keep an eye on railway signals, technical issues and deal with unexpected delays.
Your tasks might include:
checking equipment and engines before a journey starts
contacting control centres for information about routes
following signalling instructions during the journey
making stops along your route to pick up and drop off passengers or freight
giving passenger announcements and controlling automatic doors
preparing engines for handover to drivers on the next shift
reporting any incidents and managing your passengers or freight while it's being resolved
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
ScotRail – discover everything you need to know about becoming a train driver in Scotland
Disclosure Scotland – learn about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- recalling
- taking initiative
- concentrating
- respecting
- observation
- verbal communication
- reading
- building relationships
- resilience
- adaptability
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Engineering Science
There are four steps you'll take to become a train driver in Scotland.
1. Apply for a train driver role. ScotRail is the main operator in Scotland, but freight companies also hire drivers. Competition for jobs is very high and it's normal for a vacancy to receive thousands of applications.
2. The recruitment process. This includes several stages. You'll do an online application, aptitude test, assessment centre then a structured interview. You'll also have to pass medical examinations which include eyesight, hearing and colour vision tests.
3. Training. If successful, you'll be hired as a trainee driver. Training lasts between 18 and 24 months. This will include classroom study, practical training, driving simulation and exams. You'll be presented with your train driving licence after a successful training period.
4. Working as a qualified driver. You’ll usually start on passenger services or freight routes, depending on the company. Remember, you may work irregular shifts!
Trainee train driver vacancies don't come up often. Some people start off as conductors or train station staff and work their way up by showing an interest in train driving.
Volunteering in a transport or logistics-based role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a train driver. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
It's handy if you've previously worked in a role where safety is vitally important.
You need to be aged 21 or over to work as a train driver. But you can start training when you turn 20.
Train drivers could be tested for drugs or alcohol at any time.
You may need to be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Train driver'
