How to get a job as a metro driver: requirements, training and step-by-step action plan

Working as a metro driver is one of the most responsible and prestigious professions in the field of urban transport. This is not just driving a train: a specialist is required to have perfect knowledge of routes, the ability to quickly respond to emergency situations and high stress tolerance. Despite the strict requirements, the profession attracts with a stable salary, social guarantees and opportunities for career growth.

In this article we will look in detail at how to get a job as a metro driver in 2026 - from basic requirements for candidates to the nuances of passing medical commissions and training. You will find out what documents are needed, how the internship works, and what awaits a newcomer at his first job. We will also reveal myths about the profession and give practical advice from existing machinists.

Important: hiring rules may vary slightly depending on the city (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, etc.), but the basic principles are the same for all Russian metros. If you are ready for serious preparation, read on!

Requirements for candidates: who can become a metro driver

The profession of a metro driver falls into the category jobs with increased responsibilityTherefore, strict requirements are imposed on applicants. Main selection criteria:

• 📄 Citizen of the Russian Federation — Foreign citizens are not allowed to enter the profession for security reasons.
• 👨‍🎓 Education not lower than secondary (grades 9–11), but preference is given to candidates with a technical education (college, school with specialties in “Electromechanics”, “Automated control systems”, etc.).
• 🩺 No medical contraindications — checked at the passing stage military medical commission (MMC).
• 🚫 No criminal record and administrative offenses related to driving or driving drugs.
• 📏 Height and physical parameters: as a rule, not lower than 160 cm (for ease of work in the train cabin).
• 🧠 Psychological stability — tested by stress resistance and attention tests.

Particular attention is paid vision and hearing: The driver must be able to clearly distinguish colors (for traffic lights) and hear sound signals. For example, color blindness or decreased visual acuity 0.8 on the better eye will cause retraction. Also checked vestibular apparatus - if you are prone to motion sickness, you will not be hired into the profession.

In some metros (for example, in Moscow) there is an unspoken rule: priority is given to men up to 35–40 years. This involves physical demands (such as manually operating old model trains) and extensive training. However, there is no official gender discrimination - women can also become drivers after going through all stages of selection.

⚠️ Attention! If you have chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, epilepsy, severe diabetes mellitus or mental disorders - you will not be allowed into the profession. A complete list of contraindications is listed in Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 285.

Training to become a metro driver: where and how the training takes place

To become a driver, it is not enough to simply submit documents - you need to pass special training, which includes theoretical courses and practice. In Russia, training is carried out by:

• 🏛️ Metro corporate training centers (for example, Moscow Metro Training Center or St. Petersburg Metro, branch "Staff Training").
• 🎓 Technical schools and colleges in the specialty "Operation and repair of rolling stock" (for example, Moscow College of Railway Transport).
• 💼 Private licensed centers (less often, since subways prefer to train personnel on their own).

The duration of training depends on the initial qualification:

Level of training	Duration of training	What's included in the program
From scratch (no experience)	10–12 months	Theory (PTE, safety instructions), practice on simulators, internship with an experienced driver
Experienced as an assistant driver	3–6 months	In-depth study of routes, emergency situations, passing exams
Retraining (for example, from railway transport)	1–3 months	Adaptation to the specifics of the metro, studying the signaling and features of metro trains

During the training you will learn:

• 📖 Rules of technical operation (RTE) of the metro - the main regulatory document.
• 🚦 Alarm and interlock systems (for example, ALS-ARS — automatic locomotive signaling with automatic speed control).
• 🔧 Rolling stock arrangement (model trains 81-717/714, 81-760/761 "Oka", 81-775 "Moscow" etc.).
• 🚨 Actions in emergency situations (fire, brake failure, evacuation of passengers).

Training takes place in face-to-face format with mandatory practice on simulators simulating a train cabin. For example, in Moscow they use a simulator "Virt-717", which reproduces real routes taking into account speeds, signals and even “breakdowns”. Passed after the course qualifying examwhich includes:

1. Theoretical test (100+ questions on PTE, signaling, train design).
2. Practical driving on a simulator with simulation of emergency situations.
3. Interview with a psychologist and the metro commission.

Step-by-step plan for getting a job: from submitting documents to the first flight

The process of getting hired as a metro driver consists of several stages. Let's look at each step in detail.

1. Preparation of documents

To apply you will need:

• 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
• 🎓 Diploma of education (certificate or college/university diploma).
• 📝 Work book (if you have work experience).
• 🩺 Medical certificate form 086/u (issued after passing the IVC).
• 📋 Characteristics from the previous place of work (if applicable).
• 📸 Photo 3×4 (4 pcs., matte, without corner).

An important nuance: the medical commission for metro drivers is based on an extended list of doctors, including a narcologist, a psychiatrist and an ophthalmologist. The cost of passing the VVK in 2026 is about 5-7 thousand rubles (not reimbursed, even if you are not accepted for training).

2. Submitting an application

There are two main ways:

1. Via the metro website (section "Career" or "Vacancies"). For example, in Moscow it is mosmetro.ru, in St. Petersburg - metro.spb.ru.
2. Personal appeal to the HR department metro station of your city (addresses are listed on official websites).

After submitting your documents you will be invited to preliminary interview, where they will assess your motivation, check your compliance with the requirements and tell you about next steps.

3. Training and internship

If you are approved, a training contract is signed (often free, but with an obligation to work in the metro for at least 3-5 years). After the courses follows internship lasting 2–6 months, where you:

• Will you ride assistant driver (position "train assistant").
• Explore all routes your line (in Moscow, for example, there are more than 15 of them).
• Learn to work with control panel and communication systems.

The internship is paid (the salary of an assistant in Moscow is about 40–50 thousand rubles), but the work schedule can be complex (for example, night shifts).

4. Passing exams and permission to work independently

Final stage - qualification commission, which checks:

• Knowledge PTE and instructions (oral exam).
• Ability to drive a train on a simulator (practice).
• Reaction in emergency situations (for example, stopping a train when an alarm goes off).

After successful completion you will be assigned 3rd category driver (the lowest), and you are allowed to fly independently - first on lightly trafficked sections, then on main lines.

Collect a package of documents (passport, diploma, photo)

Pass a medical examination (MHC)

Prepare a description (if you have work experience)

Fill out the form on the metro website

Check compliance (age, height, health) -->

Salary and social guarantees: how much do metro drivers earn?

The salary of a metro driver consists of several parts:

• 💰 Base rate — depends on the category (3rd category: ~50–70 thousand rubles, 5th category: ~90–120 thousand rubles).
• 🕒 Additional payments for night shifts and overtime (up to +30% of salary).
• 🏆 Awards for trouble-free operation (up to 20–50 thousand rubles monthly).
• 🚇 Compensation for harmful working conditions (for example, for work in tunnels).

Approximate income of a driver in Moscow in 2026:

Position	Salary (rub.)	Including bonuses (RUB)
Assistant driver	40 000–50 000	50 000–65 000
Machinist 3rd category	60 000–80 000	90 000–110 000
Machinist 5th category	80 000–100 000	120 000–150 000
Machinist-instructor	100 000–120 000	150 000–180 000

In addition to salary, metro drivers receive:

• 🏥 Full social package: Voluntary health insurance, sanatorium treatment, travel benefits.
• 🎓 Free training opportunity to increase the rank.
• 🏠 Mortgage programs with subsidized rates (in some regions).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Benefits for children (for example, free metro travel for under 18s).

However, there are also disadvantages: work schedule often shifting (day/night), and responsibility very high - for a mistake you can lose your job or even your freedom (if it led to an accident).

⚠️ Attention! In some metros (for example, in Yekaterinburg) salaries are 20–30% lower than in Moscow. Check current rates on official websites or driver forums (for example, forum.metro.ru).

Typical mistakes of job seekers and how to avoid them

Many candidates are eliminated at the selection stage due to errors. Let's look at the most common ones:

1. Not taking the medical commission seriously. For example, hiding chronic diseases or drinking alcohol 2-3 days before the examination (the narcologist will detect this!). Solution: undergo a preliminary examination by a therapist and ophthalmologist in advance.
2. Poor preparation for the theory exam. The metro PTE is the driver’s “bible,” but many teach it superficially. Solution: download the current version of the PTE (for example, on the CSTI website) and solve tests online.
3. Inattention in practice. On the simulator or during an internship, it is important to remember all details - from the location of toggle switches to the sequence of actions during emergency braking. Solution: Take notes and ask your mentor to explain any unclear points.
4. Conflicts with the commission. During an interview or exam, you should not argue with the examiners, even if you are sure that you are right. Solution: Remain calm and polite, even if the question seems incorrect.

Another common problem is underestimation of physical activity. The work of a driver involves:

• Prolonged sitting (up to 8 hours per shift).
• The need to respond quickly to signals (for example, activation of UKPSS — devices for monitoring the driver’s wakefulness).
• Work in conditions of vibration and noise (noise level in the cabin - up to 80 dB).

If you are not ready for such conditions, consider alternative positions in the metro: dispatcher, electrician, escalator operator.

Career growth: how to grow from trainee to driver-instructor

The profession of a metro driver allows you to build a successful career. Typical development path:

1. Assistant driver (2–6 months) - study of routes, assistance in management.
2. Machinist 3rd category (1–2 years) — independent train control on lightly loaded lines.
3. Machinist 2–1st category (3–5 years) - work on main routes, training trainees.
4. Machinist-instructor (5+ years) - training of new employees, participation in examination committees.
5. Leadership positions (depot manager, dispatcher) - higher education required.

To increase the rank you need:

• 📚 Pass advanced training courses (usually every 3–5 years).
• 📝 Hand over exams for the next grade (theory + practice).
• 🕒 Earn experience without accidents and violations (for example, for the 2nd category you need at least 2 years of trouble-free operation).

Salary grows with the rank: a 1st category driver in Moscow can earn up to 180–200 thousand rubles including bonuses. It is also possible to go to traffic service or technical departments metro.

For ambitious specialists, the metro offers programs additional education. For example, you can get the specialty “Technical operation of rolling stock” for free and apply for a position train manager or security engineer.

Myths about the profession of metro driver: truth and fiction

There are many rumors surrounding the driver's job. Let's look at the most popular:

Myth	Reality
The drivers just press the buttons, and the train moves itself.	On modern trains (for example, "Moscow-2020") there is automatic driving, but the driver controls speed, monitors signals and is ready to take control at any time. In older models (81-717) control is completely manual.
The driver's salary is 300 thousand rubles.	Such income is possible only from driver-instructors with extensive experience or when working overtime. The average salary is 90–150 thousand rubles.
Women are not hired as machinists.	There are no official restrictions, but in practice there are few women due to physical activity and schedule. In Moscow, for example, there are about 50 female machinists (out of 5,000+ specialists).
Drivers can sleep in the cab.	This gross violation! The cabin is equipped with wakefulness sensors (UKPS), which require confirmation of attention every 20–30 seconds. Sleeping gets you fired.
The job of a driver is boring.	Actually every flight is unique: passengers, malfunctions, schedule changes. In addition, drivers communicate via radio with dispatchers and colleagues.

Another common stereotype is that Drivers don't communicate with people. In fact, they constantly interact with:

• 🎤 Dispatchers (on the radio).
• 👥 Passengers (announcements, answers to questions).
• 🔧 Technical staff (in case of malfunctions).

But what is true is this high responsibility. A driver’s mistake can lead to an accident with victims, so the profession is suitable only for disciplined and attentive people.

What happens if the driver falls asleep at the controls?

The system is triggered UKPS (wake monitoring device), which first beeps and then automatically stops the train. If the driver does not respond, the emergency brake is applied and the train is blocked until the emergency crew arrives. Such an incident is followed disciplinary action or dismissal, and in case of an accident - criminal liability (Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about working as a metro driver

Is it possible to get a job as a driver without experience?

Yes, but only through training at the metro training center. Without completing courses and internships, they will not hire you. An exception is if you have work experience assistant driver or in railway transport (for example, locomotive crews of Russian Railways).

How long is a driver's working day?

Shifts last 7–8 hours, but taking into account the preparation of the train and the delivery of the shift, the actual time at work is up to 10 hours. Schedule usually daily allowance (day/night every other shift) or 2 through 2. Night shifts are paid higher.

What model trains do you need to be able to drive?

Depending on the city, these may be:

• 81-717/714 (“Numbered”) are the most common in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
• 81-760/761 "Oka" — modern self-driving trains.
• 81-775 "Moscow" — new trains with climate control and Wi-Fi.
• E-poppy, Hedgehog, Eat - old models still found in the regions.

During the training you will be taught how to operate all types of trains operated in your metro.

Is it possible to work as a driver with poor eyesight?

No. Strict vision requirements: acuity not lower than 0.8 in the better eye (with correction by glasses or lenses, no lower than 0.5 is allowed), absence of color blindness and diseases (glaucoma, cataracts). The check is carried out on Rabkin apparatus (tables on color perception).

What to do if you are not accepted for training?

Possible reasons:

1. If you haven’t passed the medical examination, try undergoing treatment and submitting documents in a year.
2. Low test results - prepare better (study PTE, practice on simulators).
3. The competition is too high - try to get a job assistant driver and get training later.

You can also consider alternative professions in the metro: electrician, track fitter, escalator operator.