The UK government has announced plans to lower the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18, an initiative aimed at addressing a looming shortfall of train drivers. This legislative change will be presented in Parliament and is set to take effect on June 30, 2026. The move comes as a response to the concern that a significant portion of current train drivers are nearing retirement age, with projections indicating that about 25% will retire by 2030.

Currently, statistics show that the demographic makeup of train drivers is predominantly older and lacks diversity; fewer than one in 25 drivers are under the age of 30, and only 13% are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The Department for Transport emphasized that this policy change reflects a commitment to increasing opportunities for younger people and fostering more inclusive representation within the rail industry.

With this new regulation, the UK government aims to not only mitigate the driver shortage but also to attract a younger workforce and enhance diversity in the profession. By providing more placements and apprenticeship opportunities, this initiative can potentially revitalize the train driving sector and ensure a steady supply of qualified drivers in the years to come.