Chiltern Railways Apprentice Train Driver Jobs Open at 18
Chiltern Railways apprentice train driver jobs in Aylesbury are now open to 18-year-olds, with a £33,857 starting salary. Here is how to apply directly.
UKIn brief
- Chiltern Railways said on 13 November 2026 that it is recruiting Apprentice Train Drivers aged 18 for the first time.
- The first vacancies are at Aylesbury, and the operator says every future apprentice driver vacancy will also be open to 18-year-olds.
- The starting salary is £33,857 a year, with the first six months spent at Chiltern's Training Academy in Banbury.
- You can enter selection from 17 years and 6 months, but you must be 18 or over to begin training.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | Chiltern Railways |
| Official source | Chiltern Railways – train driver recruitment for 18-year-olds ✓ press.chilternrailways.co.uk |
Chiltern Railways apprentice train driver jobs are now open to 18-year-olds for the first time, starting with vacancies at Aylesbury and a salary of £33,857 a year. The operator confirmed the change on 13 November 2026, and you apply on its own recruitment site. No agent is involved and there is nothing to pay.
What has Chiltern Railways announced?
In a statement on its press site, Chiltern said a change in the law earlier this year allows it to take on younger trainees. Up to June 2026, nobody under 20 could train as a driver in Britain. The limit is now 18, the same age at which bus and aviation trainees can start.
The company is beginning with the vacancies it has in Aylesbury. It adds that all later adverts for apprentice drivers will accept 18-year-olds too. The aim is to reach school and college leavers who might otherwise pick a different career, and to widen the mix of people who apply.
What are the key facts?
| Detail | What Chiltern says |
|---|---|
| Role | Apprentice Train Driver |
| First location | Aylesbury |
| Starting salary | £33,857 a year |
| Minimum age to enter selection | 17 years and 6 months |
| Minimum age to start training | 18 |
| First six months | Training Academy, Banbury |
| After the academy | Practical training at your depot |
Chiltern warns that trainees must be ready to travel to Banbury and back during the academy phase, and sometimes to other sites.
Who can apply?
Anyone who meets the age rule can put in a form; this is not only for teenagers. The rail industry's own careers site, the Train Drivers Academy, says most operators look at behaviour and potential more than exam results. Formal qualifications are usually not needed, and neither is work experience. A few operators want Level 2 maths and English (GCSE grade 4/C), so read the Chiltern advert for its exact entry rules.
The job suits people who can work alone, stay focused for long periods and keep a disciplined routine around shifts and rest. It is less suited to anyone who wants fixed nine-to-five hours.
How to apply — step by step
- Start with the live advert on Chiltern's recruitment site. This is the vacancy link given in the company's own announcement.
- Check the closing date on the advert. The press statement does not give one, and we could not read the date from the interactive job page, so look for it before you start.
- Register and complete the online form. Use an email address you check daily.
- Sit the psychometric assessments. The Train Drivers Academy says these are standard across the industry and test whether you have the skills to do the job safely. Operators can set a higher pass mark or add tests of their own.
- Attend an interview with a manager if you pass. Expect situational and experience-based questions.
- Pass a medical. It can cover eyesight, hearing, general health, and drug and alcohol standards.
- Start at the Banbury academy if you receive an offer.
Chiltern recruits directly. Nobody can sell you a place on this scheme, and a request for money to "fast-track" a railway application is a scam.
Tips that raise your chances
- Practise the tests. The Train Drivers Academy says most train companies supply practice materials, so use them. A pass normally stays valid for five years, but retakes are limited and come with waiting periods.
- Prepare real examples. Think of times you followed rules, stayed calm under pressure or took responsibility. Retail, hospitality, cadets and volunteering all count.
- Be honest about shifts. Drivers work early, late and weekend turns. Say clearly that you understand this.
- Plan the Banbury journey before you apply. Six months of travel is part of the deal.
- Avoid a common mistake: rushing the form. Driver adverts attract many applicants per vacancy, so check spelling and answer every question fully.
Quick checklist: proof of age, an up-to-date CV, your GCSE results or predicted grades, two or three examples of responsibility, and the advert's closing date.
What it means for job seekers
- An 18-year-old can now aim for a skilled, well-paid railway career straight from school or college.
- Competition is strong, so a place is never certain; good preparation is what improves your odds.
- If you miss the Aylesbury advert, watch for the next one, because Chiltern says later vacancies will follow the same age rule.
Also worth a look: Holcim's 2027 apprenticeships and British Airways apprenticeships for 2027.
More openings: all UK jobs
Frequently asked questions
How old do I need to be for a Chiltern Railways apprentice train driver job?
You can join the selection process and talent pool from 17 years and 6 months, but you must be at least 18 on the day training starts.
What is the Chiltern Railways apprentice train driver salary?
Chiltern Railways gives a starting salary of £33,857 a year for the apprentice train driver position.
Where is the Chiltern Railways train driver training?
The first six months are based at the Chiltern Training Academy in Banbury. After that, practical training continues at the depot you are appointed to.
Do I need qualifications or experience to become a train driver?
The industry's Train Drivers Academy says formal qualifications are usually not needed and experience is not required, although some operators ask for Level 2 English and maths.
Apply only on the official site.
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