Train driving licences frequently asked questions (FAQs)

To obtain a train driving licence you must pass a general professional competence examination, a medical examination and an occupational psychological fitness examination. These will be organised by your employer. You must also be older than 20 years old and have at least nine years of school education (primary and secondary). You must complete basic training to at least level three (which is achieved by undertaking and passing your train driving competency training).

Usually your employer, a train operator, will make a licence application on your behalf. Guidance is available. There is no cost to you as the train driver.

All train drivers who drive on the mainline railway must have, by law, a train driving licence, as well as complementary certificate. The complementary certificate shows the rolling stock that the driver is competent to drive and the routes that the driver is authorised to drive upon.

To access the TDL system, visit: https://tdl.orr.gov.uk 
     
The system is only accessible to predefined IP addresses. If you work for a train operator (or are responsible for administering train driving licence applications) but you are not able to access the system, please contact ORR by emailing TDL.Applications@orr.gov.uk.

You need to apply for advertised positions with UK train operating companies. Their recruitment and selection process includes psychological and medical fitness examinations, which are required for a train driving licence.

If you pass these tests, you will then be required to begin your train driver training with your employer. On successful completion of general professional competence training and examination a train driving licence application can be made and we process those applications within one month.

A train driving licence is only required for driving trains on the mainline railway. A train driver who only drives in depots, on heritage railways, in possessions or who drives trams does not require a train driving licence.

A trainee driver may drive without a licence (or certificate) if they are accompanied and supervised by an authorised driver (i.e. someone who does have a licence). 

Yes - providing your training and examination centre has been assessed by ORR and is listed on ORR's register of recognised persons - Training and examination centres. Inclusion on this register is based on criteria of independence, competence and impartiality.

No – ORR maintains a register of recognised training and examination centres who can carry out these functions. There are specific requirements to be an examiner or a trainer.

Yes - subject to meeting the standards required, and being employed by an ORR recognised training and examination centre. Please see our “Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010: Guide to training and examination requirements" guidance for further details.

Our website has more information, including this guidance: “Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010: Guide to training and examination requirements".

Please read this, including chapters three and four, which set out requirements. There is no specific application form, but you should supply details of how you believe you meet the requirements.

You have the option to appeal against the decision. The appeal process is set out in our guidance document: "Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010: Guide to training and examination requirements".

The requirements set out in law are also laid out in our guidance document: "Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010: Guide to training and examination requirements”. Please refer to this.

Yes. The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has established a driver  training academy which supports driver training across the  railway industry.

Your employer must let us know the date you left. We also need to know which train operator now employs you.

Your licence is your property and you keep this. But your complementary certificates should be retained by the train operator when you leave. You should be provided with certified copies of your complementary certificates and all the documents providing evidence of your training, qualifications experience and professional competence obtained or achieved while employed by them. You will need to provide these documents to your new employing train operator.

Your train driving licence belongs to you and should not be retained by your employer. Please contact your previous employer and request that they return your licence to you.

This would not always be the case - it depends on the circumstances.

If you were dismissed for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your licence will be withdrawn by ORR. 

If you had been involved in a safety incident which brought your driving competence into question it will be for your employer to decide whether action should be taken in relation to your train driving complementary certificate (only ORR can make decisions about your licence).

Your employer must tell us when you cease to be employed by them. They must also notify ORR if their monitoring of a driver calls into question the validity of a licence at any point. 

If you are dismissed for non-driving reasons (e.g. attendance or timekeeping) this would not affect the validity of your train driving licence.

Yes, The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 require train operators to inform ORR when someone ceases to be employed as a train driver. ORR is required to maintain an up to date register of train drivers in accordance with the regulations.

No. The licence is the property of the driver, and stays with them. Their complementary certificate remains the property of the company, and you should give them a certified copy of this when they leave. The certificate should be amended to show that it has been suspended or withdrawn by you.

We do not hold this information. You will need to ask your employer or the testing centre for this.

Train operators have a legal obligation to periodically monitor their drivers. If the results of that monitoring indicate that a train driver may be experiencing any issues around psychological fitness, they should book an appointment for them with an ORR recognised psychologist.

Yes - if you have been involved in an accident, your employer may refer you for a psychological fitness examination as part of their requirement to monitor their drivers’ ongoing psychological fitness in line with The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010.

Yes. There is no flexibility within The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010. You will have to treat this as a new licence application and the driver must satisfy the medical and psychological fitness examination requirements in addition to completing all the necessary training and examination required to achieve the complementary certificate.

Psychologists may be taken off the register if we have any evidence that they no longer meet the criteria for recognition - this includes continued registration with the relevant professional body (BPS). 

We also need to be able to contact you. Therefore, if your contact details have changed, and you have not advised us, you may be removed if we are unable to contact you when we audit the Register. There is an appeal process in place should this happen.

Yes, it is possible. The letter you have received will outline the reasons why your licence was suspended and what you need to do in order for your licence to be re-instated. You will need to discuss these with your employer.

This would be an issue for your employer to deal with. Employers have processes in place to review their drivers’ performance. Whilst they cannot take your licence from you, as it remains your property, they may potentially suspend or withdraw your complementary certificate. This may have an impact on your licence (for example, if your medical fitness is called into question). Your employer will have processes in place to deal with these kind of incidents and you would be advised by your employer of any action they intended to take.

Yes. If your train driving licence is suspended or withdrawn, you will receive a letter from us outlining the reasons for this, together with information about how the licence may be re-instated, where applicable. There will also be details of who to write to if the licence-holder wishes to appeal against the decision. This will be the Department for Transport, and the full address details are included in the letter.

We base our decisions to suspend or withdraw a train driving licence on evidence provided by train operating companies. We set out the conditions for acquiring, and maintaining, a train driving licence. If ORR is no longer satisfied that those conditions continue to be met, then we may suspend or withdraw the licence. These conditions can be summarised under the following headings:

Medical Fitness

Drivers must pass medical examinations at set intervals (every 3 years up to the age of 55, annually after that). The frequency may be increased if the health of the member of staff requires it and in some other circumstances. 

Psychological Fitness

Drivers must pass an occupational psychological fitness examination to initially obtain a licence.
  
There may be occasions where an employer believes that a driver should undergo another examination, i.e. after an operating incident such as a fatality. This could in turn decide whether a driver is fit to continue in the role.

General Competence

Drivers’ performance is routinely monitored and assessed. If there are any grounds to believe that a drivers’ performance is not up the required standard, or where there have been some operational incidents logged i.e. SPADs, an employer may suspend or withdraw the complementary train driving certificate pending further training and assessment. Whilst the certificate is suspended, the driver must not drive.

Alcohol or Drugs

The rail industry has a zero-tolerance policy towards the consumption of alcohol, and the use of drugs. Where there is evidence that a driver has tested positive for either, the train driving licence will be withdrawn by ORR.

Additionally, evidence of a refusal to undertake a drugs or alcohol test will be viewed in the same light as testing positive, and will also lead to the train driving licence being withdrawn.

You can apply to be a recognised doctor or psychologist by completing the application form on our website and returning it to: TDLapplications@orr.gov.uk. The application form explains the qualifications and experience required for recognition.

Inclusion in the register is based on the criteria of independence, competence and impartiality. You are required to undertake train driver medicals in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 1 of The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010. You must advise the ORR as soon as possible if any of your contact details change.

There are elements of the medical which must be carried out face-to face, and cannot be done remotely. It is not possible to pass a train driving licence medical in accordance with Schedule 1 without completing tests which can only be taken on a face to face basis.

Yes, The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 state that until the age of 55 you must pass a periodic medical at least every 3 years. From the age of 55, you must pass an annual periodic medical to maintain your licence.

No. We publish a list of recognised doctors on our website - your medical must be carried out by one of those recognised doctors. This will normally be arranged by your employer.

The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 requires us to maintain a register of recognised doctors. These are doctors who have applied to us for registration to enable them to undertake train driving medicals as per the requirements of Schedule 1 of TDLCR 2010. Without recognition, a doctor will be unable to sign a train driver’s medical certificate.

We aim to complete all checks and inform the applicant of our decision within three weeks of receiving an application and all the required information. On receipt of your application we may contact you to clarify or obtain further information.

No - there is no expiry date once a doctor is entered on to our register. But we expect any doctor to advise us if there are any changes which may impact their ability to carry out examinations as specified. Any changes to details including practice address and contact details must be communicated to us as soon as possible, so that the register is up-to-date.

Doctors may be taken off the register if we have evidence that they no longer meet the criteria for recognition. This includes continued registration on the General Medical Council (GMC) professional register. 

We also need to be able to contact you, so if your contact details have changed and you have not advised us, you may be removed if we cannot contact you when we audit the Register. There is an appeal process in this guidance document (see Annex A) should this happen.

Psychologists may be removed from our register if they no longer meet the criteria for recognition: This includes continued registration on the British Psychological Society (BPS) register, and ensuring we have up to date contact details. Failure to be able to contact you at audit may result in your removal from the register. There is an appeal process in this guidance document (see Annex A) should this happen.

Yes. Train operators are required by The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 to maintain records of all train driving licence medicals. You must inform us when medicals have been undertaken (together with the results). You should also advise us where any medical is overdue and the reason for this.

We do not need to be advised of any periods of work incapacity lasting less than three months. However, we must be informed if work incapacity lasts over three months.

Every three years up to 54 years of age, and annually from that point. Therefore, a driver must have a medical between the age of 55 and 56.

A driver must not drive trains if they fail a medical, or fail to take one, until such time as they pass a medical.

You will need to discuss your individual situation with your employer. There are other areas of your employment in relation to pregnancy which are outside the Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010.

However, as long as you remain fit and well then there should be no reason why you cannot continue to drive. However, if after your discussion with your employer, your employer is of the opinion that you are not fit to drive, then you can be temporarily removed from driving duties. 

The train operator or driver must advise ORR at the earliest opportunity that the licence has been lost. An application can then be made for a duplicate licence. Until the duplicate licence is received the train operator must take reasonable steps to provide evidence to a driver to prove that they hold a valid licence if challenged by an ORR inspector. (It is a requirement that a driver must carry the licence with them whilst driving).

Please notify us by emailing: tdl.applications@orr.gov.uk with the relevant legal documentation (Deed Poll, Marriage Certificate etc.) together with a new photograph and signature, and we will reissue the licence with your new details.
name change.

Inform your employer. Your employer must inform us at the earliest opportunity of your new address by emailing: tdl.applications@orr.gov.uk and we will update your record.

We must be informed of this change promptly as you will need your licence to be reissued to show any changes.

No - there is no mandatory retirement age. As long as the conditions for holding a train driving licence are met – including regular medicals and assessment of driving competences - there is no licence requirement for a driver to retire or return their licence.

Your licence is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued. Therefore, the licence must be renewed before the expiry date (which is shown on your current licence). Once renewed, your licence number will stay the same, but the new licence will have updated issue and expiry dates shown. The new issue date will be the date the renewal is processed by the ORR’s Train Driving Licence team. 

Your employer (e.g. train operator) will normally apply to ORR to renew your licence. If you are currently not employed in a driving role, please contact ORR (TDL.Renewals@orr.gov.uk) for advice well in advance of your licence expiry date. 

Yes, the regulations state that each renewed licence must use a new photograph. The photograph must be of passport quality, on a plain, light-coloured background. If you wear glasses, you can wear them in the photograph providing that there is no reflection from the lenses. Contact the TDL team at: TDL.Renewals@orr.gov.uk – if you want more specific information about formats and sizes. 

Point to remember: if you wouldn’t use it for your passport, then it will not be suitable for a train driving licence.

We aim to process complete applications for licence renewals within 30 days. Therefore, please ensure renewal application forms are sent in well in advance of the expiry date. An application can be made at any time, but your employer is likely to plan up to 3-6 months in advance of the expiry date. Once processed, our printer will send the renewed licence to your employer’s address which is our standard procedure.  

Please keep hold of your old licence until you receive the new licence. Once the licence is received, please dispose of the old licence securely (e.g. by cutting it up into small pieces, as you might do with an old credit card).

Please speak to your employer regarding your situation as early as possible. For example, when you are seconded, you may not be maintaining your competencies and your periodic medical examination may be out of date. Once you return to your employer and have completed any examinations or other activities necessary to satisfy the conditions for holding a licence, then your employer will typically apply to renew your licence on your behalf. If your secondment/absence has lasted for several years, please contact TDL.Renewals@orr.gov.uk to discuss your personal situation in greater detail.

You should discuss this with your employer as early as possible. They may submit your renewal application before your maternity/paternity leave starts. Alternatively, once you return to work and you have passed your periodic medical and completed your refresher training and meet the conditions of holding a licence your employer can apply to renew your licence. If your absence has lasted for several years, please contact TDL.Renewals@orr.gov.uk to discuss your personal situation in greater detail.

There is no requirement to undertake a specific examination for renewing your licence (unless your employer has requested this for a different reason). However, you must have passed a required periodic medical examination, and this must still be in date at the point an application for renewal is made.

No. Operators are required to monitor their licences and drivers as part of their SMS/CMS process.

You can locate the form on our website at the main Train driving licences and certificates webpage. The form is located under the renewing train driving licences tab.