The government has confirmed plans to lower the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18, a move designed to address a growing shortage of rail workers and encourage more diverse recruitment into the sector.
Announced in early May, the policy change is expected to come into effect from December 2025, with new apprenticeship routes and training opportunities being developed to support 18-year-olds entering the profession.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the move is about creating opportunities and driving economic growth:
"We're committed to getting the economy moving and a big part of that is getting young people into the workforce, putting them on track for a skilled and fulfilling career which will boost growth across the country."
The decision brings the UK into line with countries like France, Germany, and Switzerland, where the minimum age for train drivers is already 18. The average age of a UK train driver is currently 48, and the workforce is overwhelmingly white and male, with fewer than 7% of drivers identifying as women and less than 10% from Black or Asian backgrounds.
Union leaders have welcomed the proposal, emphasising the potential for greater inclusion and long-term workforce resilience. Mick Whelan, General Secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers' union, said:
"This decision—to allow people to leave school, or college, and join the railway as a train driver—will increase diversity in the driver’s cab and help us build a stronger future for the industry."
The move is part of a broader government strategy to modernise the railway, respond to increased demand, and fill staffing gaps caused by retirement and recruitment challenges. Approximately 25–30% of the UK’s 27,000 train drivers are expected to retire within the next five years, intensifying the need for early career pathways.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that comprehensive safety protocols and training—typically lasting 12 to 18 months—will remain in place. Younger recruits will undergo the same rigorous standards and simulator-based training as existing drivers to ensure public safety.
Industry leaders say the move could also help challenge long-standing stereotypes about who belongs in rail. By engaging school leavers and embedding driver roles into further education and apprenticeship systems, the sector hopes to attract a broader talent pool.
While the response from the rail industry has been largely positive, some trade unions and safety advocates have called for close monitoring of the change to ensure standards are upheld and younger drivers are fully supported.
If successful, the policy could serve as a model for other industries seeking to broaden access and diversify their workforce — proving that small legislative changes can open the door to big opportunities.
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