Duties include checking equipment, following signals, stopping correctly, managing emergencies, and communicating with control centres. 

In the UK, salaries are high. Trainees earn £24,000–£30,000, rising to £50,000–£60,000 once qualified. Experienced drivers on London or long-distance routes can exceed £65,000. Shift work, including early mornings, weekends, and bank holidays is standard.

To apply, you must be at least 20 years old and typically hold good GCSEs in English and Maths. Companies provide full on-the-job training, combining classroom learning with practical driving. Applicants must pass medical, eyesight, and hearing checks. Key qualities include reliability, calmness under pressure, and the ability to concentrate for long periods.

The Train Driver careers resource can be found here. To find out more about MyPath careers, click here.