Impact assessment

Lowering the minimum age requirement for train drivers from 20 to 18

Assesses the economic and social impacts of lowering the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18 years old in Great Britain.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 30 January 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Equality impact assessment: Lowering the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18 in Great Britain

PDF, 153 KB, 3 pages

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De minimis assessment: lowering the-minimum age to be a train driver in GB from 20 to 18

PDF, 301 KB, 20 pages

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Details

Following our consultation on lowering the minimum age to be a train driver from 20 to 18 years old, government will progress with plans to do this.  

The de-minimis and equality impact assessments evaluate the economic and social impacts of lowering the minimum age to be a train driver in Great Britain from 20 to 18 years old.

Published 30 January 2026