Qualified Drivers

[Gemz91]

Odd question. But how long does a qualified driver stay a qualified driver for if they leave their position? If I was to quit my job as a driver, go travelling for six months, then reapply for a train drivers job at the other end of the country to where I was before, would I still be classed as a qualified driver or would I be a trainee driver?

 

[Stevec101]

I'm pretty sure you need to be back in the grade within 2 yrs.

 

[dglondon]

This is covered in the ORR document attached (Guide to the Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010).

Your specifc query is coverered in section 2.10 (keeping licences valid), where it states:

"Driver stops working as a driver: Continuous
unemployment as a driver for a period of twelve months or more will cause the licence to be suspended as general competence
cannot be maintained."

You will see that as well as maintaining competence, you also need to have a valid medical pass for your license to be valid (medical passes last for 3 years up to age 55, then 1 year after that).

So you would still be able to reapply as a qualified driver if you had been away from the role for six months.

 

[Gemz91]

Cheers for your replies lads.