I am interested in becoming a train driver do you have to have a license of any kind?

Question

I am interested in becoming a train driver do you have to have a license of any kind?

Answer 1

In the U.S. the job itself is not hard to obtain, as far as being hired is concerned.  The rail industry is in a major boom right now, more so than at any point in its history, and all major Class I railroads are looking to hire train crews (i.e., conductors and engineers).  Depending on which railroad you are interested in working for you will need to complete conductor training classes to become certified.  After that it typically does not take long (sometimes within mere days, or even on the spot) until you are called in for an interview.  

If hired you will begin work as a conductor and typically within 5-10 years you will then begin training as an engineer (be advised, when asked, this is not optional, you must accept the engineering position).  It can be tough work as you must put in long hours, 12 hour days are normal and overtime is mandatory, but many of those who do it enjoy their work.

Answer 2

dont think so you dont have to stear it i think all you do is press a go or stop button

Answer 3

you need several licences, two years training, 5 exams, personal track safety, rules, traction, routes, and final 3 day exam.. they are of degree standard if not higher...

you must be 21+ with no criminal record, they check too...

Answer 4

In the United States you are required to have a federal liscense for driving trains.  These liscenses are adminsiterd through the company that you work for.  So there is no Rail DMV office that you can go to and get your liscense.  You must go through extensive on the job training to qualify.  Also you must be able to pass hearing and eye site tests to get the liscense.  Your normal driving record will also affect your ability to get a railroad liscense.  

For example if you get a speeding ticket your company could suspend you for 1 month because its a federal requirment that they do that.  So if you have a horrible driving record I might want to look at a different type of job.

Answer 5

My ex was a train driver,

It's 18 months training, part of it will include sitting with an experienced driver, route training, safety training and learning the mechanics of trains, also as well as actually driving it.

He worked for Arriva trains and was on a hefty salary 32k + overtime

Find out where you actually want to drive and in which area, Find out the companies name then do and internet search,

Then apply directly to that company

They are always looking for drivers

Ignore whoever said start as a conductor, it's rubbish,  

Drivers are totally separate

Answer 6

no but there is a lot of training...( pun intended )

you would learn about loading the cars , become a conductor then work your way up.

i am friends with two engineers and a conductor.

i have driven yard engines moving cars around in a mine.

it is more like a certification that a license.

i am a crane operator some times and i am tested much the same way

then again where do you live ?

Answer 7

most def

Answer 8

I would think so ! You can hardly drive a train with a provisional license and L-Plates.

Answer 9

No, good eye sight and health.

Answer 10

In theory Yes you do need a drivers license to drive trains in the UK, but not in a sense like a car license. What you need to do is apply for a trainee train drivers job with you local train operating company. They will make you sit an English & maths test, then if you are successful, you will then have to sit an interview. Once you have passed that stage the train operating company will then train you. Once you have qualified to drive a train, they give a license, then you get train on a particular train route like Sevenoaks to London Blackfriars via Catford, and once the train operating company are happy that you know the route virtually blind folded you receive a card stating that you know that route, and that is the only route you can drive until you have trained on some of the other routes. Also you get trained in Track Safety (PTS) and your role.

I hope that I have been of assistance.

Joolz

Answer 11

Do you mean a Conductor?  Yes being a "conductor" is a very hard job to get....do you want to be a Freight Train Driver ....if you do you need to take a test with 100's of others ,  the test is very difficult...some take it 20 years in a row and do not get in...but you just can't go out and get a "license" to drive a train..

Answer 12

Yes you need a number of licences

Safety Critical, Personal Track Safety and the relevant rolling stock licence for the area you are running over. You will also need a route licence (form) for every route and section of route you travel over.

Hence why it takes a year to train a Train Driver to drive a train and they have to sit the same as all Safety rail staff a Bi-Annual Rules exam to ensure there competance to do the job.

Answer 13

You need to apply to a Train Operating Company to see if they are recruiting. You will then have a series on interviews and if you are excepted you will then require a medical.

You will then start training and this will vary depending on the company but it it can be long and hard.

If you are successful you will then be part of an industry where your social life will have to take a back seat to the delights of shift work but with the right company you can bring in a decent wage.

For a list of TOC's go to http://www.atoc.org/about.asp

For non passenger operators check out EWS and Freightliner to start with.

Answer 14

Although the company will teach you everything you need to know, many job advertisements (particularly for freight companies) stipulate a clean (road) driving licence, as you may have to make your own way to ballast jobs etc.

Answer 15

yes you do . however you can if you know someone who is at the railway learn in the yard to be a kind of shunt driver . that is one who moves the cars about but in the yard only.

one thing to note is that it is pretty much a certainty that a train engineer will one day at least have someone commit suicide by letting the engine run them over. sad fact but very true.

Answer 16

you have to be late for work everyday.

no excuses.

Answer 17

long training and stiff competition to get in. In the meantime, why not try Microsoft Train Simulator, or Trainz, which I understand are quite realistic, to see if you really like it. I think there are long hours, working on your own, having to concentrate (signals etc) and a lot of responsibility. Not for everyone!

Answer 18

Yes you do and you must be at least 21. But to get to that stage you must have something that the other 10000 candidates don't. You have to pass a series of tests and interviews and live fairly close to a depot.

You only get 2 chances to pass and all your details regarding your application will be shared by all TOC's so there is no getting round this.

The train company will supply the temporary licence and you then train for many months (each TOC has it's own policies, but all adhere to strict rules), and then you eventually get your licence.

The big problem is finding a company that is taking on drivers.

But I wish you luck, I started last year and haven't looked back since