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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

sjberry3

Member
Joined
17 Sep 2023
Messages
35
Location
Telford
I’ve heard nothing. Is it likely to get an email either way? Also who was the email off? Just so I can search easier

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They are trying to say I didn’t apply even thought I’ve got a confirmation email and a copy of my application
 
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RailUK Forums

Fran1878

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2022
Messages
25
Location
Merseyside
I’ve heard nothing. Is it likely to get an email either way? Also who was the email off? Just so I can search easier

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

They are trying to say I didn’t apply even thought I’ve got a confirmation email and a copy of my application
Which email address has replied saying you didn't apply? I tried logging into my candidate account yesterday and couldn't reset my password as it said my details weren't recognised, even though I've applied to the role like yourself
 

sjberry3

Member
Joined
17 Sep 2023
Messages
35
Location
Telford
Which email address has replied saying you didn't apply? I tried logging into my candidate account yesterday and couldn't reset my password as it said my details weren't recognised, even though I've applied to the role like yourself
recruitment@tfw.wales

I can log on but my application has disappered from the online portal. But I have an confirmation email from when I submitted it and the downloaded pdf of my application.
 

TC12

Member
Joined
24 Sep 2018
Messages
16
Does anyone know when they will sent out dates for tests and interviews ?
 

LoftyTD

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2024
Messages
68
Location
Barry
Does anyone know when they will sent out dates for tests and interviews ?
I think it was 2-3 weeks after the email for successful application for myself. Its on a first come bases so you have to reply quickly in order to secure your place. It took me the best part of 8 months to complete the whole process. One time, I replied to the email 3 minutes after receiving and still didn't secure a spot! Catch-22, if you don't secure a spot early then more dates will always be available until everyone is done, and this can give you time to prepare. On the flip side, if you are slow to get through the process like some of us were, then you might spend longer in the talent pool and miss out on courses.
Also, if you don’t secure a slot, it was usually 6-8 weeks until more dates were available.
 

TFW_6

New Member
Joined
11 Sep 2025
Messages
2
Location
Holyhead
Hi,

I have a face to face interview in Chester next week and was wondering if anyone had any advice in regards to what to expect and best way to prepare?
 

LoftyTD

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2024
Messages
68
Location
Barry
There are plenty of other posts regarding interviews. If its the MMI then it can be a bit more intimidating, make sure your answers are genuine because they like to dig deeper and ask follow up questions.
If it’s the DMI then it tends to be more relaxed, but you still need to prepare for the questions, which many are on this forum. Also, research the company.
6 questions for MMI, and I think 12 or so for DMI.
To prepare, research the questions and try and think of real life scenarios, add some bits to project yourself in the best way possible. When answering, always say “i did this” rather than “we did this”. Best of luck.
 

ThePeakNed

Member
Joined
6 Dec 2021
Messages
231
Location
Salop
Hi,

I have a face to face interview in Chester next week and was wondering if anyone had any advice in regards to what to expect and best way to prepare?
Do some proper research about TfW. Particularly things like who the CEO is, a rough figure of how many employees there are, company values, ongoing major projects as well as any significant recent achievements. Stuff like that.
 

TFW_6

New Member
Joined
11 Sep 2025
Messages
2
Location
Holyhead
Do some proper research about TfW. Particularly things like who the CEO is, a rough figure of how many employees there are, company values, ongoing major projects as well as any significant recent achievements. Stuff like that.
Brilliant, thank you for your reply. Appreciate the advice

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

There are plenty of other posts regarding interviews. If its the MMI then it can be a bit more intimidating, make sure your answers are genuine because they like to dig deeper and ask follow up questions.
If it’s the DMI then it tends to be more relaxed, but you still need to prepare for the questions, which many are on this forum. Also, research the company.
6 questions for MMI, and I think 12 or so for DMI.
To prepare, research the questions and try and think of real life scenarios, add some bits to project yourself in the best way possible. When answering, always say “i did this” rather than “we did this”. Best of luck.
Thank you I will get more research on the MMI and DMI done. It’s much appreciated
 

TC12

Member
Joined
24 Sep 2018
Messages
16
Hi,

I have a face to face interview in Chester next week and was wondering if anyone had any advice in regards to what to expect and best way to prepare?
Have you got an MMI or DMI?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Has anyone heard if any interviews are scheduled for Chester depot?
 
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WirralLine

Member
Joined
4 Jun 2024
Messages
527
Location
Wirral
Have you got an MMI or DMI?

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Has anyone heard if any interviews are scheduled for Chester depot?
Theyre doing interviews first this time around apparently, last time they did the OPC assessments first. Invites for Chester DMI interviews have been sent out for some already.
 

WirralLine

Member
Joined
4 Jun 2024
Messages
527
Location
Wirral
So if someone passes the DMI they’ll then be invited to the OPC tests?
Apparently so yes, presumably if you still hold valid OPC tests then you wont be made to resit them, they allowed them last time as long as they were sat no longer than 2 years prior. I think they have since upped it to 3 years? Not sure if anybody can confirm.
 

843185288

Member
Joined
5 Aug 2024
Messages
25
Location
South wales
Anyone know the current situation for south wales with regards to driver numbers? About a year ago i heard they were 40 drivers overstaffed but also heard alot have retired since as well as leaving and going to GWR. Currently sitting patiently in the talent pool
 

LoftyTD

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2024
Messages
68
Location
Barry
Anyone know the current situation for south wales with regards to driver numbers? About a year ago i heard they were 40 drivers overstaffed but also heard alot have retired since as well as leaving and going to GWR. Currently sitting patiently in the talent pool
I’d be interested to know this too. Ive been tempted to send a Freedom of information request to enquire about numbers, course dates etc. But dont really want to give my information. Hopefully someone can give some info here.
 

eSTeeSCe

Member
Joined
19 Oct 2022
Messages
37
Location
Cheshire
The general vibe I’m getting is that the big recruitment drive in Summer 2022 resulted in almost too many people being in the pool and not enough DI’s.
I’ve just started at Chester, from what I understand there were a couple of people left in quick succession and all the 2022 intakes were now driving PQA, so they filled a small intake from the talent pool.
I can’t account for south wales area, just sit tight.
 

bristolblonde

New Member
Joined
1 Oct 2025
Messages
3
Location
Chard
Hi All, in terms of the assessments you have to pass to become a trainee train driver (for any TOC), does anyone have any recommendations of where you got practice questions etc from? 'How2become' keeps popping up on the internet but I don't want to spend money on rubbish material or scams. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
 

LoftyTD

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2024
Messages
68
Location
Barry
Hi All, in terms of the assessments you have to pass to become a trainee train driver (for any TOC), does anyone have any recommendations of where you got practice questions etc from? 'How2become' keeps popping up on the internet but I don't want to spend money on rubbish material or scams. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
you’ll be able to find information about tests on this forum. I would focus first on the paper tests as they are what come first in the process (that was the order for me anyway). I don't remember the official names for the tests.
Group bourdon test I practiced ALOT online for free and then printed the pages out and did it in pencil.
Memory test (text on a4 page) I got a family member to put together questions about a random bit of text and I gave myself 5 minutes to read it before answering.
Dials test I had a practice book I think and used pencil so i could try multiple times, but I found this test to be pretty easy.
The TEA-Occ was for me, the hardest test out of both the paper and computer tests. I practiced this one again with a book I bought that had different symbols and numbers in it. First id mark off a speicifc symbol a family member told me to find, for the second part is listen to the family member read a passage and jot down how many times they read a specific word, the thirdly we’d combine the two so id search for a specific symbol whilst counting how many times they read out a specific word. It sounds confusing but it worked.
 

bristolblonde

New Member
Joined
1 Oct 2025
Messages
3
Location
Chard
you’ll be able to find information about tests on this forum. I would focus first on the paper tests as they are what come first in the process (that was the order for me anyway). I don't remember the official names for the tests.
Group bourdon test I practiced ALOT online for free and then printed the pages out and did it in pencil.
Memory test (text on a4 page) I got a family member to put together questions about a random bit of text and I gave myself 5 minutes to read it before answering.
Dials test I had a practice book I think and used pencil so i could try multiple times, but I found this test to be pretty easy.
The TEA-Occ was for me, the hardest test out of both the paper and computer tests. I practiced this one again with a book I bought that had different symbols and numbers in it. First id mark off a speicifc symbol a family member told me to find, for the second part is listen to the family member read a passage and jot down how many times they read a specific word, the thirdly we’d combine the two so id search for a specific symbol whilst counting how many times they read out a specific word. It sounds confusing but it worked.
Hi thanks for your reply.
Group Bourdon - I found this on the internet and it's great. Thanks for the printing out advice though!
Memory Test (TRP 1 & 2???) - thanks.
TEA-Occ - I found a couple of the visual practices online and this seems straightforward. Thanks for the advice re auditory.
Dials test - any idea what this is properly called please? VSE? or DFFT?
I'll check on this forum for the other tests and see if I can find advice.
Thanks
 

LoftyTD

Member
Joined
2 Mar 2024
Messages
68
Location
Barry
Im assuming TRP is correct, you have an a4 sheet of text and have a short time to read it and then you listen to the text on a cassette, they then take the material away and you answer roughly 18 questions.
From memory I was confident on 16/18 questions and the topic was how a train brakes/stops.

The dials test im not sure what it is called but you’ll find it somewhere, i think there’s around 40-45 questions and i think i got 34 completed. Whenever you do any test they want a high level of accuracy, and if you practice enough you’ll get a suitable level of speed to match.
 

bristolblonde

New Member
Joined
1 Oct 2025
Messages
3
Location
Chard
Im assuming TRP is correct, you have an a4 sheet of text and have a short time to read it and then you listen to the text on a cassette, they then take the material away and you answer roughly 18 questions.
From memory I was confident on 16/18 questions and the topic was how a train brakes/stops.

The dials test im not sure what it is called but you’ll find it somewhere, i think there’s around 40-45 questions and i think i got 34 completed. Whenever you do any test they want a high level of accuracy, and if you practice enough you’ll get a suitable level of speed to match.
Thanks for your help

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Does anyone remember any of the assessments including things like Ratio, Percentage and Fractions? Thanks.
 
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BOMPO83

Member
Joined
8 Apr 2022
Messages
71
Location
CF32, Bridgend
Speaking to a driver based in Cardiff. Currently 120 oversubscribed with 60 in pool. A few have retired. Most of those 120 will work on metro when up and running
 

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