Overview
- The Department for Transport has laid legislation in Parliament during National Apprenticeship Week to enact the age change.
- From June 30, 2026, 18-year-olds can apply for trainee driver roles, opening direct pathways into paid apprenticeships.
- Officials cite workforce pressures, with about a quarter of drivers expected to reach retirement age by 2030, rising to 32% in Scotland and the North East and 38% in Wales.
- ASLEF and the Rail Delivery Group back the move, saying it will widen recruitment and help build a resilient pipeline for passenger and freight services.
- The change aligns the UK with countries such as Switzerland, Germany and Australia and with domestic roles where 18-year-olds can already drive Tube and tram services, as the sector seeks to improve diversity with fewer than 4% of drivers under 30, about 11% women and under 13% from minority ethnic backgrounds.