All train drivers who drive on Britain's mainline railway must have, by law, a train driving licence.
What is a train driving licence?
We issue train driving licences for driving on Britain's mainline infrastructure. We can only issue a train driving licence once we have considered an application made by a train operator or infrastructure manager. We check to make sure that all the conditions for holding a licence have been met before we issue the licence, including professional competency examinations, medical and occupational psychological fitness examinations.
The licence is valid for 10 years and is the personal property of the train driver until it expires. A train driving licence remains valid even when the train driver changes train operator. We may suspend or withdraw a licence at any time if we are no longer satisfied that all the conditions for holding it are being met.
Train operators or infrastructure managers issue train driving certificates, which show the rolling stock that the driver is competent to drive and the routes that the driver is authorised to drive upon. Although the train driver holds the certificate, it is the property of the train operator.
Who needs a train driving licence?
A valid train driving licence (and valid certificate) is required for driving trains on Britain's mainline railway. A train driver does not require a train driving licence when they drive on heritage railway, metros like London Underground, tramways or other light rail systems, in depots or in engineering possessions
In this section
How to apply for a train driving licence
How to get or renew a train driving licence.
Registers
Only doctors, psychologists and centres recognised by us can carry out examination, training or examination of train drivers.
Guidance
Our guidance on all aspects of train driving licences (currently under review).
The law
The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (as amended) is the law relating to licensing and certification of drivers.
How to become a train driver
ORR does not recruit train drivers directly. Find out how to become a train driver.
Our role as the competent authority
We are the competent authority for train driving licensing under the law.
We issue licences based on evidence supplied by train operators and we use our own safety certification and inspection systems to assure us that train operators' arrangements for competence and fitness are appropriate.
See our health and safety enforcement policy statement.
Data protection
Please see our privacy notice about data protection and train driving licences.