Before you start your training as a driving instructor there are some basic requirements. The following section sets out the main and rail sector specific legal requirements for fitness for work and highlights the overlapping company medical standards and available guidance. Train driving is a lucrative and rewarding career, and you must be able to work alone and follow safety procedures. Please also see the government website for driving eyesight rules and read guidance from the driver and vehicle licensing agency dvla.
Minimum eyesight requirements for driving if youre about to start learning to drive, its essential that you are fully aware of the minimum eyesight requirements for driving, and for the practical driving test. Train drivers operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and freight around the country. You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0. These vision requirements for cdl drivers are very strict, though its all for good reason. Perform duties as train attendant as and when required. Oct 24, 2019 how to become a train driver in the uk.
But, the driving eyesight law allows you to read it wearing spectacles or contact lenses if you need to use them. Applicants must undergo a selection process, including an interview, a medical assessment, and personality, aptitude and ability tests. You normally have to be at least 21 to work as a train driver on the national rail network. However, the fundamental change is to vision standards. Medium to heavy work, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to. Changes to eyesight standards for driving visual acuity standard for all drivers the requirement that all drivers must be able read a number plate from 20 metres will be retained. Next, apply for an entrylevel position with a railroad so you can gain experience in the field and get your foot in the door with a good company. The train driving licences and certificates regulations 2010.
Jan 16, 2020 to become a train driver, get a high school diploma or ged and enroll in a locomotive engineer training program to learn the basics of railroad work. Train drivers work for local and national rail companies servicing passengers, freight trains, or pulling engineering equipment related to track maintenance. But what do you need to do in order to become a train driver. Vision standards and requirements aop clinical resource. This note covers important changes to minimum eyesight standards for driving. Unfortunately, only a few people were able to pursue their lifelong dream of driving these marvelous engines. Train driving licences and certificates regulations 2010 tdlcr. Jan 16, 20 the qualities required to become a train driver the selection process for becoming a trainee train driver includes many different stages including an application form, psychometric tests and two different interviews. You need a visual acuity sharpness of at least decimal 0. When you apply for your provisional driving licence you must let.
A lot of people wear glasses because their sight is only just below par, or not for distance vision the main aspect and important area for train driver eyesight not related to colour is distance vision id imagine, which is whats being measured, whereas others me included wouldnt be able to function without their specs and need them for. Many people dream about becoming a train driver from an early age, and some people decide later in life that they would like a career change and would prefer driving trains instead. Rssb train driver medical guidelines gorc3561 iss 3. To be a train driver you must be aged over 21 and be able to pass a medical examination that involves eyesight, hearing and colour vision tests. Preferably degree holder or high diploma of postsecondary education in a related discipline must be capable of handling the minor train faults which need simple resetting or isolation of faulty system must have good eyesight and normal colour vision. The law requires that all licensed drivers to meet the following eyesight requirements including drivers aided by prescribed glasses or contact. You will also need to pass medical checks, which will test your fitness levels, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. Car drivers group 1 must meet the vision standards shown at the bottom of this page. The train driver must have normal colour perception in order. Train driving is not permitted by persons who have lost the sight of an eye or have defective colour vision. The interview starts off with a criteriabased one and finishes with a managers interview. At the request of the international union of railway medical services. How to become a train driver the good universities guide.
A train driver may decide to appeal to the secretary of state for transport against our decision to suspend or withdraw a licence. Together these guides form a complete set of guidance for all aspects of the tdlcr. Recommendations for train movement staff suitability and fitness requirements racop 2. In addition to the requirements below, you may be required to have your eyesight tested when applying for.
The same dvla eyesight rules for driving apply to both the car test and the motorcycle test. Here are the latest uk standards for a wide range of jobs. Minimum eyesight requirements for driving driving test success. This notification is required prior to any subsequent operation of a locomotive or train which would require a certified. In order to be currently certified as a locomotive engineer, except as permitted by paragraph e of this section, a persons vision and hearing shall meet or exceed the standards prescribed in this section and appendix f to this part. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site.
Aslefs assistant general secretary simon weller explains what the medical changes will mean for us. Changes to eyesight standards for driving visual acuity. There is a rigid policy on drug and alcohol abuse, and random screening can occur at any time. The truth about your mortgage secrets the banks dont want you to know duration. Learn all about csx and discover what were doing for our customers, environment and communities. Your licence will then have a condition that you must always wear these while driving. The candidates recommended for appointment will have to pass requisite medical fitness tests conducted by the railway administration to ensure that the candidates are medically fit to carry out the duties connected with the post. The increase in medical frequency may help in early detection and treatment of illnesses or conditions that could have a longterm and lifechanging effect on a driver. To become a train driver, get a high school diploma or ged and enroll in a locomotive engineer training program to learn the basics of railroad work. Along with ensuring that trains stay on schedule, train drivers must also be able to operate each type of train that their railroad company uses, stay up to date on technological advances and protect the safety of the trains passengers. Uk vision requirements for the assessment of personnel in a variety of physically demanding occupations and professions including armed forces, emergency services, pilots, drivers and police force.
I think different companies have different policies but where i work you are fine to drive if your eyesight is good in glasses, the only stipulation is you need to keep a pair of glasses with your current prescription at work just in case the ones you wear normally get lost or damaged. We followed a london tube driver for a day heres what. Mar 12, 2019 learn what railroad conductors do and the skills required to become a conductor. What are the qualities required to become a train driver. To be a train driver in the uk, get your train license, apply for entrylevel train. The purpose of establishing an individual employees fitness for work is both to enable work to be carried out competently and reduce, as far as possible, the risk of preexisting disability or ill health compromising the safety of the employee, others at work and the general public. According to an article published on uks national career service web site, there are almost 159,000 people employed in the rail industry. Eyesight standards for bus and train drivers in london transport.
Orr may suspend or withdraw a train driving licence if it has sufficient evidence that the train driver no longer meets the general competence and medical requirements set out in the tdlcr. Below are primes standards for hiring the best and safest drivers on the road today. As long as you meet these basic requirements, we will guide you through the rest. Driving and vision standards guide association of optometrists. Train driving licences and certificates office of rail.
If you try to pass the eyesight check at an agent and fail, you must provide a satisfactory eyesight or medical certificate. Oct 07, 2017 the truth about your mortgage secrets the banks dont want you to know duration. An authority to drive or ride vehicles of another class. May 09, 2018 business insider joined a bakerloo line driver on her daily routine driving a train on the london underground. Requirements for truck driving qualifications for drivers. And youll soon discover that driving a train is more than a job its a way of life. The most common test for ensuring someone has met the vision requirements for cdl drivers is known as the snellen test.
Section 27 stipulates that those involved in train movement or in maintenance, repair or. If you currently wear glasses or contact lenses then you must make sure that you wear these when out on the road. Jan 24, 2017 the candidates recommended for appointment will have to pass requisite medical fitness tests conducted by the railway administration to ensure that the candidates are medically fit to carry out the duties connected with the post. His distance vision was something in the region of twenty feet around 30% of the requirements. These are usually carried out by a private occupational health physician for a company such as bupa. Lorry and bus drivers group 2 must meet more stringent eyesight. You may take the eyesight test while wearing glasses or contact lenses. Wa drivers and riders must meet agreed vision standards as described in the tables below. Lorry and bus drivers must inform dvla if any eyesight problem affects either eye. We followed a london tube driver for a day heres what its. Business insider joined a bakerloo line driver on her daily routine driving a train on the london underground. Oct 14, 2014 train drivers work for local and national rail companies servicing passengers, freight trains, or pulling engineering equipment related to track maintenance. How do i become a train driver a gruelling selection process and training programme separates you from the drivers cabin of a train, but your reward is a decent salary and potentially a job. There are also proposals to make posttraumatic support for train drivers a requirement for railway undertakings.
The train driver academy is a new system for training and becoming a train driver. If you have questions about any of primes requirements for truck driving, please contact a recruiter. The changes apply to all licence holders in the uk. This requirement will still be tested as part of the driving test and the inability to meet this minimum standard a road traffic offence.
In this job, you could drive both passenger and freight trains locally and nationally, as well as working on the driving for engineering projects, so theres lots of opportunity for variation, although you do need to be at least. Train driving licences and certificates office of rail and road. Train drivers operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and. What are the eyesight requirements for loco pilot in the. Here are some quick tips as kids, most of us dreamed of becoming a doctor, pilot, soldier, or a train driver. Place cars to facilitate loading and unloading and the makeup and breakdown on trains in a rail yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require year 10. Download citation vision standards for train drivers in europe study objectives. The law requires that all licensed drivers to meet the following eyesight requirements including drivers aided by prescribed glasses or contact lenses.
Vision standards for train drivers in europe researchgate. This means that some tocs will have differing requirements for their candidates than others. The number plate must be a version made after the 1st of september 2001. You will also have to pass a medical examination, which will test your fitness levels, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. In this job, you could drive both passenger and freight trains locally and nationally, as well as working on the driving for engineering projects, so theres lots of opportunity for variation, although you do need to be at least 21 years old to train as a national train driver. There are other eyesight requirements to meet the minimum legal eyesight standard for driving. Train driver alternative titles for this job include engine driver, london underground driver, eurostar driver, tube driver. Csx is a leading supplier of railbased freight transportation in north america. I recall a seeing a story in the news about an elderly gentleman who was stopped after knocking over the cones at a police roadside checkpoint. Eyesight requirements require distance vision to be at least 69 or 612 in the weaker eye.
Colour vision must be assessed normal as defined by the requirements of the ishihara plates test right. You must check what the standard requirements are, of the service you are applying to join. The qualities required to become a train driver the selection process for becoming a trainee train driver includes many different stages including an application form, psychometric tests and two different interviews. Many occupations require a level of vision to perform the role. The eyesight requirements to join the fire and rescue service have changed considerably from service to service over the past few years. Train driver requirements before we begin, its important to note the following. Occupational visual standards birmingham and midland eye centre. All train drivers must meet laid down standards for fitness and meet hearing and visual standards.
Brexit notwithstanding, revised regulations for the european train drivers licence come into force next year. The train driving licences and certificates regulations 2010 tdlcr give duties to different organisations and people and we have produced a series of separate guides to explain the duties and responsibilities arising from the tdlcr. Legal eyesight standard for driving dvla eyesight rules. Supervise train crews on a freight train and coordinate switch engine crews. After you have had an assessment the next stage to becoming a train driver is to go for a medical.
A train driver needs to be able to concentrate for long periods of time, want to work 35 hours per week, and have customer service related skills. To become a train driver you usually need to complete a traineeship. Jun 04, 20 how do i become a train driver a gruelling selection process and training programme separates you from the drivers cabin of a train, but your reward is a decent salary and potentially a job. Minimum eyesight requirements for driving driving test. A train driver needs to be able to concentrate for long periods of time, want to work 35 hours.