Train Driver Medicals

Please remember to bring with you:

– Photographic identification (e.g., passport or driving licence).
– Any glasses or contact lenses you use for distance vision.
– A list of all medications you are currently taking.
– Any relevant medical reports or letters from specialists concerning your health.
– A full bladder ( you will need to provide a urine sample at the medical to screen for diabetes, kidney disease and bladder issues)

Please remember to bring with you:

– Photographic identification (e.g., passport or driving licence).
– Any glasses or contact lenses you use for distance vision.
– A list of all medications you are currently taking.
– Any relevant medical reports or letters from specialists concerning your health.
– A full bladder ( you will need to provide a urine sample at the medical to screen for diabetes, kidney disease and bladder issues)

A standard medical assessment typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

Yes, it is essential to bring a complete list of any prescribed or over-the-counter medications you are taking. It is also highly recommended to bring a summary of your medical records from your GP, especially if you have any pre-existing or significant health conditions.

Yes, if you wear glasses or contact lenses for driving or distance vision, you must bring them with you for the vision assessment. Your vision will be tested both with and without your corrective lenses.

Please ensure you have spare contact lenses with you, you will be required to remove your contact lenses for the examination.

The medical assessment is comprehensive and includes several components:
– A general physical examination.
–Vision test: Assessing distance vision, colour vision, and field of vision.
–Hearing test (Audiometry): To check your hearing ability across different frequencies.
–Electrocardiogram (ECG): To check the electrical activity of your heart.
–Urine sample: To screen for medical conditions which could affect safe driving. Some companies also require a drug and alcohol screen.

A medical is required prior to obtaining a train driver medical and then every 3 years after until a driver is 55.

A train driver must then have a medical before their 56th birthday and every year thereafter.

Due to certain medical conditions a train driver may be required to have a medical more regularly to ensure their ongoing fitness to drive.

Yes, you will be required to provide a urine sample during the medical.

This is to help screen for underlying health conditions such as diabetes.

Do not bring a urine sample to the medical as you may be required to be witnessed providing the urine sample if a witnessed drug and alcohol urine sample is required.

Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may be able to drive trains, but this is subject to a strict assessment by the ORR-recognised doctor.

It is important to bring any information about your diabetes, your medications and any follow up you are having for example diabetic eye screening or foot screening to the medical.

Your condition must be well-controlled, and you must meet specific criteria regarding blood sugar management and have no complications that would affect your ability to drive safely.

Yes, having high blood pressure (hypertension) does not automatically disqualify you from driving a train. Your blood pressure must be well-controlled with or without medication, and it must meet the standards set by the ORR. Regular monitoring and an assessment of any potential side effects from medication will be part of the medical evaluation.

Please remember to bring your medication and any Blood pressure readings to the medical if appropriate.

Yes. You can drive if you are on blood thinning medication. Please bring information about your medication and conditions to the medical. You may be required to have certain restrictions on your certificate to ensure safe driving.