A looming retirement crisis that will see a quarter of all British train drivers reach retirement age by 2030 has prompted the government to lower the minimum age for the profession from 20 to 18 years old.
The workforce shortage becomes more acute in certain regions, with 32 per cent of drivers in Scotland and the North East expected to retire by the end of the decade, rising to 38 per cent in Wales. The legislative change aims to address the shortfall by opening the profession to school leavers from 30 June 2026.
Parliament will receive the legislation on 10 February during National Apprenticeship Week, representing what the government describes as a pivotal moment for the rail industry as it prepares to establish Great British Railways. Half of train operators have already returned to public ownership ahead of the planned restructuring.
Current diversity statistics reveal significant demographic challenges within the profession. Fewer than four per cent of train drivers are under 30, whilst only 11 per cent are women. Less than 13 per cent come from minority ethnic backgrounds, highlighting the narrow recruitment pool the industry has historically drawn from.
The age reduction brings Britain into line with international standards in countries including Switzerland, Germany and Australia, where 18-year-olds can operate trains. The change also levels the playing field across Britain’s transport sector, where young people can already pilot aircraft or drive tube and tram services on the London Underground from age 18.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy stated: “Lowering the minimum age for train drivers is a significant step forward for young people across Britain. This change will open doors for those wanting to move straight into the workplace, giving a younger generation the chance to build rewarding careers in the railway, whether that’s in freight or passenger services.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden highlighted the employment dimension, noting nearly a million young people are currently not in education, employment or training. “Lowering the minimum age for train drivers puts young people at the controls – of a train today, and of their own futures tomorrow,” he stated.
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), the train drivers’ union, has campaigned for years to reduce the age limit. General secretary Dave Calfe stated the change “will increase diversity in the driver’s cab by encouraging more young people from all communities to drive trains on Britain’s railways.”
Calfe explained that many young people make career choices at 18, meaning the industry has been missing out under current rules. “This change will widen the opportunity for the rail industry to recruit the large numbers of train drivers required over the next 5 years,” he added.
Daniel Mann, Director of Industry Operations at Rail Delivery Group, emphasized the need for broader recruitment. “The rail industry plays a vital role in connecting communities and supporting the economy, and as the workforce evolves, we need to attract a broader range of skills, experiences, and perspectives,” he stated.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates described the change as opening “the door to a rewarding career earlier, giving young people an opportunity to be part of the exciting developments in our railways.”
The legislation will enable the rail sector to secure the next generation of drivers whilst current staff can pass on skills to maintain passenger safety and support growth in the freight industry. The move coincides with the government’s broader plan to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth through apprenticeships.
School leavers will be able to apply for train driver roles from 30 June 2026, with the new generation expected to help unlock the railway’s full potential for passengers and businesses that use the network. The timing positions the workforce expansion as a key preparatory step before Great British Railways becomes operational.
