UK Government Proposes Lowering Train Driver Minimum Age to 18

The initiative aims to address staffing shortages and attract younger talent to the railway sector.

The current minimum age for train drivers is 20, but the proposal could lower it to 18 as early as this summer.
The average age of a train driver is 48, with many expected to retire in the next five years.
Lowering the age limit is intended to build workforce resilience and create apprenticeship opportunities for school leavers.
The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on the proposal, seeking feedback on training and supervision processes.
The Rail Delivery Group and industry leaders support the move, emphasizing its potential to improve service reliability and diversify the workforce.