The minimum age for train drivers in Great Britain is set to be lowered to 18, as the government prepares legislation to tackle a looming shortage of railway staff. Currently, train drivers must be at least 20, but figures show fewer than 3% of drivers are under 30, raising concerns about the future workforce. Ministers hope that allowing younger recruits will prevent a shortfall of thousands of drivers as a wave of retirements approaches. The average age of the country’s 24,000 train drivers is 48, with roughly a quarter expected to retire before 2030. Many drivers take early retirement once they are eligible for a railway pension at 62, even though some continue driving into their 70s. In Wales, where life expectancy is lower than the national average, nearly 40% of drivers are over 55. A report from the National Skills Academy for Rail estimates that by 2030, Great Britain could face a shortage of about 2,500 train drivers. This shortfall has already contributed to late-notice cancellations and reliability issues, and the problem is expected to worsen without action to attract younger talent. The train drivers’ union Aslef, which has long supported lowering the minimum age, says bringing 18-year-olds into the profession will help recruit more staff and increase diversity. Aslef’s youth wing admits members up to the age of 35, and the union believes younger recruits will better reflect the communities the railway serves. Rob Kitley, 31, chair of Aslef’s young members committee and a driver with GWR, welcomed the planned legislation. He said the change had been campaigned for “for many years” to align the rail industry with other parts of public transport, including buses and the London Underground. “By widening the goalposts to allow younger candidates to join the driving grade, we open the door to new talent which may otherwise have been lost,” he said. Government officials have not commented publicly ahead of the legislation’s expected introduction. However, last year the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, described the proposals as a way to “future-proof our railways against delays and cancellations caused by a shortage of drivers.” She added that the change would help “get young people into the workforce and put them on track for a skilled and fulfilling career.” The move comes as the rail sector faces pressure to maintain service reliability amid an aging workforce. With the majority of drivers nearing retirement and few young people entering the profession, industry experts have warned that the country could face a severe staffing crisis without intervention. Allowing 18-year-olds to train and drive is seen as a key step to ensure the railways can continue to meet demand. Rail operators also hope the legislation will encourage young people to see the profession as a viable career path. By joining earlier, trainees will have more time to gain experience, complete necessary certifications, and contribute to the smooth running of services at a critical time for the network. Industry supporters highlight that lowering the minimum age could also improve workforce diversity. The current profile of train drivers does not fully reflect the demographics of the wider community, and opening the profession to younger candidates may encourage applications from groups previously underrepresented. As the legislation progresses through the House of Commons, union leaders and industry observers expect that recruitment campaigns will begin targeting younger candidates. The government is positioning this move as part of a wider effort to strengthen Britain’s transport infrastructure, attract skilled workers, and prevent service disruption in the coming decade. The change could have long-term benefits for the rail industry, offering younger workers the chance to build long careers while helping operators address staffing pressures caused by an aging workforce. By lowering the train drivers minimum age, officials aim to secure the future of rail travel in Great Britain while creating opportunities for the next generation of drivers.