Becoming a train driver in Great Britain means passing a set of medical and psychological checks that are grounded in law and in rail industry standards. This guide explains what those requirements are, what a train driver online assessment typically involves, and how candidates and operators can approach the situational judgement stage.

What the law requires before someone can drive a train

Mainline train drivers in Great Britain need two documents under the Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010. The licence belongs to the driver and is valid for ten years, provided medical fitness and training requirements continue to be met. The certificate is issued by the train operator and describes the rolling stock and infrastructure the driver is competent to drive [1].

Schedule 1 to the Regulations sets the minimum content of the examinations before appointment. Alongside the medical checks, it lists cognitive areas (attention and concentration, memory, perception and reasoning), communication, and psychomotor skills (reaction time and hand coordination). It also requires an occupational psychological examination to establish that the applicant has no occupational psychological deficiencies, particularly in operational aptitudes or relevant personality factors, that are likely to interfere with safe performance of their duties [2].

Those psychological assessments must be carried out or supervised by practitioners recognised by the Office of Rail and Road. To be recognised, a practitioner must be registered with the British Psychological Society at Level A or Level 2, as well as meeting independence and competence requirements [1].

The minimum age has recently changed. Amending regulations that came into force on 30 June 2026 lowered the minimum age for a train driving licence from 20 to 18, although drivers in the Channel Tunnel zone must still be at least 20 [3].

Where RIS-3751-TOM Issue 4 fits

The Regulations say what must be assessed; the rail industry standard explains how. RSSB's RIS-3751-TOM, Psychometric Assessment in Train Driver Selection, sets out requirements and guidance on the psychometric assessments used when selecting train driver candidates for the GB mainline railway [4].

Issue 4 was released in RSSB's December 2024 standards update. RSSB explained that the update increases the number of attempts a candidate can make, gives greater clarity on how long psychometric test results remain valid, and reduces the time needed for some parts of the assessments [5]. The exact rules are in the standard itself, so candidates who have sat assessments before should check their position with the operator they are applying to.

The train driver online assessment: what to expect

Recruitment processes vary from operator to operator. A journey may move from an application form to one or more online assessments, then to supervised psychometric testing, interviews and medicals. An online stage can include a situational judgement test (SJT), which can be completed remotely and gives an early view of how a candidate approaches safety and responsibility.

The Viewpoint Train Driver SJT was designed for UK train operating companies. It presents 12 work situations, and for each one you choose the most appropriate and the least appropriate of the responses offered. It is untimed, so you can read each situation carefully.

To show the reasoning involved, here is a deliberately non-rail illustration rather than anything from the test. Imagine a warehouse worker who is behind schedule when a colleague suggests skipping the pre-use check on a forklift. Responses might range from doing the check and telling the supervisor about the delay, through asking another colleague's view, to skipping the check and saying nothing. Most-and-least formats reward people who can see which option best protects safety while keeping the right people informed, and which option hides a risk. The skill being measured is judgement about priorities, not knowledge of rules you have not yet been taught.

Preparing for the train driver psychometric test

Good preparation is mostly about understanding the role. Read about what drivers actually do: long periods of concentration, following procedures exactly, communicating clearly with signallers and control, and staying calm during disruption. For the SJT, answer as the safe, conscientious professional you would aim to be, and read every response option before choosing.

For other stages, practise attention and concentration tasks, get a good night's sleep, and follow instructions to the letter. A concentration test is one way operators can gather evidence on sustained attention.

For operators, SJT results are best read in bands from Very Low to Very High and combined with interview and other assessment evidence, rather than treated as a pass or fail on their own. You can explore the Train Driver SJT for UK train operating companies or our wider situational judgement tests.

Frequently asked questions

How old do I need to be to become a train driver?

Since 30 June 2026, the minimum age for a GB train driving licence is 18, except in the Channel Tunnel zone, where it remains 20.

How long does the Train Driver SJT take?

It is untimed. There are 12 situations, and you choose the most and least appropriate responses for each.

Can I resit the train driver psychometric tests?

RIS-3751-TOM Issue 4 increased the number of attempts available to candidates. Check the current rules with the operator you are applying to.

Who can assess train driver candidates?

The occupational psychological assessment must be carried out or supervised by a practitioner recognised by the Office of Rail and Road.

References

1. Office of Rail and Road (2018). Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (TDLCR): Introduction. London: ORR.
2. The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/724), Schedule 1. legislation.gov.uk.
3. The Train Driving Licences and Certificates (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/461). legislation.gov.uk.
4. RSSB. RIS-3751-TOM Issue 4: Psychometric Assessment in Train Driver Selection. Rail Industry Standard. Rail Safety and Standards Board.
5. RSSB (2025). RSSB makes train driver recruitment process more efficient and effective. News release, 13 January 2025.