Occupational Summary
As a Level 3 Train Driver apprentice you learn to operate trains safely, punctually and economically across a range of rail environments. Apprentices prepare for roles such as On-track machine driver, Freight train driver, Depot driver and Passenger train driver, moving passengers, goods, empty coaching stock or driving on-track machines for infrastructure maintenance. You develop the ability to apply rail rules, regulations and procedures, sustain concentration during long periods working alone, make rapid complex decisions in normal and degraded conditions (for example severe weather or infrastructure failures), communicate accurately with signallers, crossing attendants, operations control and emergency services, and may supervise others to ensure safe, compliant operation. Shift working, including weekends, evenings, nights and occasional overnight stays, is part of the role.
The Level 3 Train Driver apprenticeship contains 61 KSBs (knowledge, skills and behaviours), typically lasts 12 months and has a maximum funding cap of £21,000. End-point assessment is carried out and assessed via professional discussion, a multiple-choice test and observation.
View official Skills England source text
Train Drivers are responsible for driving trains in a safe, punctual, economic manner over various routes in accordance with rail rules, regulations and procedures. A Train Driver could work in a number of rail environments, such as high speed, passenger, freight, underground, metro, suburban, cross border, depots, sidings or maintenance sheds; moving passengers, goods, empty coaching stock or driving on-track machines to perform infrastructure maintenance work. Train Drivers can be required to work for long periods of time on their own, they must be able to maintain a high level of concentration and be able to make instant complex decisions quickly during normal and degraded conditions e.g. severe weather conditions, infrastructure failures and emergency working. They must be able to communicate clearly and accurately with stakeholders and may be required to supervise others to enable compliance with regulations through safe and effective rail operation. A driver has overall responsibilities for passengers, staff and goods on the train. Responsibilities may include communicating with: the signaller, crossing attendant, operations control, other rail industry personnel or the British Transport and the civilian police. A Train Driver will work shifts that include weekends, evenings and nights. On freight or engineering trains, train drivers usually tend to be rostered more night shifts. On long-distance routes, there may be a need for overnight stays.
Important Notice
This apprenticeship standard is in the process of being revised. In the meantime, the version below remains approved for delivery. Further details of this and other occupational standards in revision are available in the revisions status report.; A temporary dispensation has been applied to the assessment plan version ST0645/AP01 for this apprenticeship. The dispensation will expire when all apprentices on this version have completed, but may be withdrawn if the assessment plan is revised sooner or the dispensation is no longer necessary. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) delivering EPAs for the apprenticeship will implement the dispensation as required, supported and monitored by the relevant EQA provider (EQAP). The key changes are: Assessment Method 2 – Planned Working Observation: The Planned Working part of the observation may be replaced with a witness testimony of observed practice provided by the employer (or employer-provider) Questions and answer session with an external assessor will take place.As per the assessment plan, the Degraded Working and Emergency Working parts of the observation are simulated activities. These parts of the observation may be delivered remotely, in line with Skills Englands flexibility framework, but EPAOs must get agreement from their EQAP before implementing this mode of delivery. In addition to this temporary dispensation there is an additional element relating to the mandated Level 2 ICT qualification. For any apprentices registered from 1st August 2023 the gateway requirement for the achievement of the Level 2 ICT mandated qualification will be removed. This will remain in place until the revised version is approved as the revised standard will rework the ICT content into the standard’s KSBs as opposed to mandating a qualification.
What's in the Delivery Pack?
Every section is tailored specifically to the ST0645 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.
KSB Interpretations
Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour
EPA Preparation
End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance
Delivery Risks
Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs
Delivery Model Options
Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches
On/Off-the-Job Mapping
Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace
Initial Assessment & RPL
Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation
English, Maths & Digital
Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance
Employer Engagement Guide
Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance
Get the ST0645 Delivery Guide
Unlock all 8 AI-powered sections — KSB interpretations, EPA preparation, delivery risks, employer engagement, and more. Tailored to Train driver.
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Typical Job Titles
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
Knowledge
35- K1: Safety
- K2: A good understanding of relevant health and safety legislation, statutory operating regulations within own role and orga...
- K3: Security
- K4: Requirements and process for ensuring rail safety and security on the line, trains and at stations and depots. E.g. evac...
- K5: Compliance and Legislation
- + 30 more items
Skills
20- S1: Continuously monitor area of responsibility to ensure compliance with rail legislation and organisational procedures. Ov...
- S2: Constantly maintain a secure environment and respond to security issues and take appropriate action in the event of a br...
- S3: Monitor compliance with legislation, procedures and regulations in a rail environment within own area of responsibility....
- S4: Clearly and accurately carry out verbal communications, face to face and by using written methods and procedures e.g. us...
- S5: Follow procedures to lead and manage incidents and emergencies until incident response teams arrive onsite e.g. overall ...
- + 15 more items
Behaviours
6- B1: Act professionally, demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity
- B2: Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work and your own health and wellbeing
- B3: Be risk aware, mitigate risks by checking information, concentrating on the task, maintaining an awareness of changing c...
- B4: Willing to learn new skills and to adjust to change
- B5: Be approachable, respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development
- + 1 more items
End-Point Assessment
Assessment Plan
Type: PDF
Version & Source
- Version
- 1.0
- Approved for delivery
- Last changed
- 18 Dec 2025
- Earliest start
- 12 Jun 2018
- Approved for delivery
- 13 Jun 2018
- EQA Provider
- Ofqual
- Sector Subject Area
- 4.3 Transportation operations and maintenance
- Trailblazer
- TB0356
- Last checked
- 11 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST0645 standard?▼
The Train driver apprenticeship has 35 knowledge items, 20 skills, and 6 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.
How long is the Train driver apprenticeship?▼
The typical duration is 12 months, with a maximum funding band of £21,000.
What does a delivery guide for ST0645 include?▼
The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST0645.
Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.