School leavers across Britain will soon be able to apply to become train drivers, after the government confirmed plans to lower the minimum age requirement from

20 to 18.

From 30 June 2026, 18-year-olds will be legally eligible to train as drivers, opening up one of the rail industry’s most skilled and well-paid roles to younger people at a critical moment for the sector. The move is designed to attract fresh talent as the railway faces a looming workforce challenge, with around a quarter of current train drivers expected to retire by 2030. In Scotland and the North East, that figure rises to 32%, while in Wales it reaches 38%.

The change in law is being introduced during National Apprenticeship Week, with legislation laid in Parliament on 10 February 2026. Ministers say it will give school leavers a direct route into a long-term career while helping tackle youth unemployment and supporting economic growth.

With around half of train operators now back in public ownership, the government says a new generation of drivers will play a key role in revitalising the network ahead of the creation of Great British Railways. The reform is seen as a practical step to ensure the railways have the skilled workforce needed to serve passengers and businesses, including the freight sector.

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:  “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. 

It’s a move that will help secure the future of Great British Railways and the wider rail industry and ensure the workforce reflects the energy, talent and ambition of the next generation”.

The move is also intended to address long-standing diversity issues within the rail industry. Currently, fewer than 4% of train drivers are under 30, only 11% are women, and less than 13% come from a minority ethnic background. Ministers believe lowering the age threshold will make the profession more accessible to people from a wider range of backgrounds.

Bringing the UK in line with countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Australia, the change also aligns rail with other transport roles where 18-year-olds are already eligible, including pilots and drivers on the London Underground and tram networks.

Industry leaders say the reform will help ensure vital skills are passed on from experienced drivers to new recruits, maintaining safety standards while supporting growth across the rail and freight sectors.

For many school leavers, the driver’s cab could soon become a realistic and rewarding career destination.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, said: 

“With almost a million young people not in education, employment or training, we need to open up new routes into skilled, well-paid careers. 

Lowering the minimum age for train drivers puts young people at the controls – of a train today, and of their own futures tomorrow. 

Apprenticeships like these benefit everyone. Young people gain skills and a foot on the career ladder, while employers gain the fresh talent they need to grow. It’s a great example of what’s possible when government, unions and industry work together”.

Daniel Mann, Director of Industry Operations at Rail Delivery Group, said:  

“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.

Lowering the minimum age for train drivers will help to open up a career in the railway for young people and will enable the industry to build the workforce of the future, support long term resilience and make sure the railway can continue to deliver for passengers”.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said:

“This is great news and will open up opportunities for young people. It opens the door to a rewarding career earlier, giving young people an opportunity to be part of the exciting developments in our railways.

General secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) the train drivers’ union, Dave Calfe, said: 

ASLEF has been campaigning for many years to lower the age at which drivers can start training. This decision, to allow people to leave education and become a driver at 18, will increase diversity in the driver’s cab by encouraging more young people from all communities to drive trains on Britain’s railways.

Because, at the moment, many young people make their career choice at 18 and the industry misses out as the current minimum age is 20. This change will widen the opportunity for the rail industry to recruit the large numbers of train drivers required over the next 5 years”.