Build a career to be proud of as a ScotRail Train Driver, getting our passengers where they need to be, safely and on time. This is an exciting chance to embark on a new and interesting career with great prospects and benefits.
As a Driver with ScotRail, you could be travelling along some of the most scenic rail routes in the world, doing the important job of transporting and connecting the people of Scotland.
All we ask is that you’re keen to learn, can stay calm under pressure and will always maintain the highest levels of safety. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Train driving could be your perfect career!
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Being a Train Driver with ScotRail
Train Drivers are at the heart of ScotRail, making sure our customers get to where they need to be safely, comfortably and on time. Driving a train comes with a lot of responsibility and being able to work alone, concentrate for long periods of time and follow strict protocol are essential. It’s also a very rewarding job – our Drivers play a key role in building the future of Scotland’s Railway with their professionalism, excellent customer service skills and dedication to ensuring their services run safely and on time.
Our customers have busy lives, so we need to be there for them when they need us; from the early hours of the morning until late at night, seven days a week. That’s why, as a Train Driver, you’ll need to be happy working a variety of shifts over seven days.
All new Drivers take part in a training programme that could last between 18 and 24 months, involving practical training, classroom learning and training in our new train simulators. Once you’re qualified, you’ll be expected to carry on learning with continuous professional development. We'll give you the support you need to progress your career and grow your skills.
Our employment opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of their background, so that people can build a long and satisfying career with us. To help us prepare for the future, we need a workforce that is creative, flexible, innovative, resilient, and able to provide services that are tailored to the needs of our customers and communities. That’s why a diverse and inclusive workforce is so important to us.
Diversity and belonging ensures that we bring a broad range of voices, opinions, and knowledge into ScotRail, that can lead to a modern and dynamic workplace where people can be themselves. We are actively encouraging applications from under-represented groups - such as women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, and people from LGBTQ+ communities – to apply for a role as a Trainee Train Driver. We want to make sure our vacancies are available to applicants who might not previously have thought of becoming a train driver.
What are we looking for?
- You must be over 21 years old (you can start training at 20)
- Be able to pass a safety critical medical examination including eyesight, hearing, colour vision tests and drugs/alcohol screening
- A good communicator, with active listening – working with a wide range of railway colleagues
- Enthusiasm, a positive approach, and an ability to stay focused.
- Ability to identify problems/challenges and viable solutions.
- Experience working in an equally responsible role where safety is paramount.
- A flexible approach is vital as shift and weekend working will be required.
- Ideally (but not essential) you will hold a current (car) driving licence
You’ll need dedication and strong safety awareness. Disciplined and customer focused with a healthy respect for the rules and a strong commitment to providing punctual and reliable services, you must also be willing to make big sacrifices. After all, being a train driver isn’t your average 9 to 5 job. But the rewards are well worth it. You’ll enjoy a career that is very different.
The Application Process
The first part of the process is completing our application form – this can be accessed here when we have live vacancies.
If you need access to the application form in an alternative format, please email [email protected]
Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend psychometric assessment. This could be on two separate occasions. You may be asked to attend these days at short notice. This assessment will be held in Glasgow.
The next stage is a competency-based interview, designed to find out more about you and assess your suitability to the role.
It's then on to a medical examination including drugs/alcohol screening. Successful candidates will then be asked to submit satisfactory reference, Disclosure Scotland and complete a six-month probation period.
The stages above will ensure that we get the right people into our driving seats.
We receive a high volume of applications for this role. Please note, if you have not received a communication from the ScotRail Recruitment Team to invite you to the first assessment stage within 12 weeks of the closing date, then please be patient and don’t be disappointed - we may still contact you later in the year.
Salary and Benefits
The Driver Training Programme can last up to 24 months. During this training period, trainees earn £31,398 per annum.
- Newly Qualified Drivers earn £43,645;
- This increases to £46,614 per annum 6 months after qualifying, and £50,063 per annum 9 months after qualifying;
- After the post qualifying period (3 years) the full-time salary is £55,265 per annum.
As well as offering a starting salary of £31,398 per annum, we’ll ensure you’re rewarded for your contribution with a competitive package that includes:
- Contributory Final Salary Pension scheme
- Free and reduced rate rail travel for you and your family
- Generous holiday allowance
- Maternity/paternity pay
- Hapi benefits package, offered to everyone at ScotRail, and access to HealthShield services
Discover all our benefits here.
Working for ScotRail
We’re proud to be a Top Employer and a Leader in Diversity. We value our people and their individuality and aim to attract and keep the best talent by providing a safe place to truly thrive at work. To build a more sustainable future, we need the best team - a team with a diverse mix of people and skills, where everyone feels valued and heard.
We recognise that women, young people, people with disabilities and people from ethnic backgrounds are under-represented in ScotRail and we want to change that. We whole-heartedly welcome applications from those who identify with these groups.
We would also encourage you to share any additional needs you require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
Your questions answered
Hopefully, you’ll find all the answers to your questions below in our application Q&A. But, if you think of something that’s not been covered, then please feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to get back on touch as soon as we can.
Taking your time to make sure your application articulates why you would like to be a Driver, the relevant experience, skills and knowledge you have against the requirements we outline in the job advert. Include information over and above that about you to help us make an initial assessment of suitability for the role.
We recruit at various points during the year and keep adverts open for a minimum of two weeks.
You will be invited in for assessments as outlined above. We will keep in regular contact with you throughout this part of the process. If you are successful and we offer you a Trainee Driver role, we will work with you to get you started as soon as possible, subject to notice periods, disclosure checks and your current circumstances.
Previous rail experience isn’t essential as all Trainee Drivers go through an extensive training programme. We look for the following:
- You must be over 21 years old (you can start training at 20)
- Be able to pass a safety critical medical examination including eyesight, hearing, colour vision tests and drugs/alcohol screening
- A good communicator, with active listening – working with a wide range of railway colleagues
- Enthusiasm, a positive approach, and an ability to stay focused.
- Ability to identify problems/challenges and viable solutions.
- Experience working in an equally responsible role where safety is paramount.
- A flexible approach is vital as shift and weekend working will be required.
- Ideally (but not essential) you will hold a current (car) driving licence.
Do your homework and research into the role before applying. There’s plenty information available online. Check your application for any errors before you submit it as well.