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First Rail London - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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RailUK Forums

Adam_9345

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2025
Messages
23
Location
dagenham
Hi mate, as Blueryel stated, it would include all those questions. Unfortunately I managed to get only 10 questions completed so didn’t see any of the other questions. Only saw the block counting ones and shape nets with patterns. Hope that helps!
Great, thank you. About to revise for another hour and then take my exams pray for me
 

M_B14

Member
Joined
1 Oct 2024
Messages
20
Location
London
If anyone hasn’t done the Spatial Ability test yet, can you kindly send a pic of the rules where it states you get marked down for not completing questions please before you attempt it. Not sure why but I don’t remember seeing it state anything like that :s
Its says on the instructions, whilst giving you a guide how to answer. On average you get 39-40 seconds to answer 1 to finish all 22 questions. From answering all 22 questions so don’t spend too long on one just guess if you are unsure. you may possibly get more of the rotation ones from my experience

Also did anyone get the folded/unfolded box questions.
 

Mystiq7

Member
Joined
18 Aug 2025
Messages
34
Location
London
Don't wish to think negatively, but if you fail the Spatial test, does that count as a one.of your 3 lives lost or not?
 

Rohmeric

Member
Joined
6 Jan 2025
Messages
33
Location
Lewisham
Hey guys I’m been asked by arriva to do the SHL but I passed both my VSE stage 1 and stage 2 opc in may. Is there any point in me applying?I would have to wait till next year may right?
 

Mertel94

Member
Joined
17 Sep 2019
Messages
11
Location
London
Silly Question. Deadline for the SHL assessment I've been sent is stated as 12-10-25. Does that mean I can do the test even on the 12th or do I need to completeit hy tonight? I feel like I need more time to prepare
 
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Adam_9345

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2025
Messages
23
Location
dagenham
Silly Question. Deadline for the SHL assessment I've been sent is stated as 12-10-25. Does that mean I can do the test even on the 12th or do I need to completeit hy tonight? I feel like I need more time to prepare
Yes, when I completed the test it said 23:59 was the deadline on the 12th.
 

BobLoblaw

New Member
Joined
12 Oct 2025
Messages
1
Location
Europe
Why the hell is there maintanence going on now, and why could they not make us aware?! Just got myself psyched up to do this and now I have to find time to do it tomorrow
 

mcorsini05

Member
Joined
13 Oct 2025
Messages
7
Location
Ruislip
Hi all, pass the last phase of enhanced testing today and then unexpectedly was thrown into a MMI. I must’ve missed something as wasn’t expecting an interview today at all. Finger crossed!

Was wondering if anyone know what the actual job description looks like once qualified.

I’ve seen the £39k figure for when training approx 9-12months.

But not seen the actual benefits once qualified. Ie, starting salary, holiday entitlement, days in and off, pension etc…..?

Is anyone able to enlighten me??

Thanks in advance
 

20atthemagnet

Member
Joined
1 Feb 2019
Messages
246
Location
England
Hi all, pass the last phase of enhanced testing today and then unexpectedly was thrown into a MMI. I must’ve missed something as wasn’t expecting an interview today at all. Finger crossed!

Was wondering if anyone know what the actual job description looks like once qualified.

I’ve seen the £39k figure for when training approx 9-12months.

But not seen the actual benefits once qualified. Ie, starting salary, holiday entitlement, days in and off, pension etc…..?

Is anyone able to enlighten me??

Thanks in advance

Salary: £80,846
Leave: 32 days given in week blocks
Working Week: 34hrs/Average 4 day week
Pension: Defined Benifit RPS final salary pension.
 

shahid_altaf

Member
Joined
10 May 2017
Messages
17
Hi all, I had my 2nd assessment including MMI on October 3rd and passed, just wondering how long did you guys have to wait for your DMI?
 

20atthemagnet

Member
Joined
1 Feb 2019
Messages
246
Location
England
Thank you for the info!

After the 4 days on is it 3 or 4 off??

Its an average 4 day week meaning that you average 4 days across a defined time cycle. That could mean working 6, 2, 4, 5, 3 etc. Every link is different and has it’s own RD patterns but there are usually long weekends after the weeks with higher numbers. Only in the West Anglia depot (Chingford) is a true 4 day week with 4 days in every single week.
 

Adam_9345

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2025
Messages
23
Location
dagenham
Hi all, pass the last phase of enhanced testing today and then unexpectedly was thrown into a MMI. I must’ve missed something as wasn’t expecting an interview today at all. Finger crossed!

Was wondering if anyone know what the actual job description looks like once qualified.

I’ve seen the £39k figure for when training approx 9-12months.

But not seen the actual benefits once qualified. Ie, starting salary, holiday entitlement, days in and off, pension etc…..?

Is anyone able to enlighten me??

Thanks in advance
Hey, good luck. What did they ask you in the MMI? And how long did it last
 

baz962

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,670
Salary: £80,846
Leave: 32 days given in week blocks
Working Week: 34hrs/Average 4 day week
Pension: Defined Benifit RPS final salary pension.
Isn't it 32 plus Xmas and Boxing day making 34 . Four block weeks and the rest floating and rising to 36 total after 5 years. Or has it changed.
 

Business Bob

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2018
Messages
140
Location
London
Isn't it 32 plus Xmas and Boxing day making 34 . Four block weeks and the rest floating and rising to 36 total after 5 years. Or has it changed.
Yeah 32 days AL plus xmas day and Boxing day not required. If there is a Boxing day service, its done on a raffle and paid at an enhanced rest day work rate. AL goes up to 34 after 5 years.

Block leave is 1 week Spring, 2 weeks summer (which you can now split into 2x 1 week periods) and 1 week winter. The rest approx 12 is ad hoc.
 
Last edited:

baz962

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,670
Yeah 32 days AL plus xmas day and Boxing day not required. If there is a Boxing day service, its done on a raffle and paid at an enhanced rest day work rate. AL goes up to 34 after 5 years.

Block leave is 1 week Spring, 2 weeks summer (which you can now split into 2 1 week periods) and 1 week winter. The rest approx 12 is ad hoc.
Yea I did i think the second Boxing day service. Lost out the first year. Terminated Gospel Oak the year I did it .
 

mcorsini05

Member
Joined
13 Oct 2025
Messages
7
Location
Ruislip
Hey, good luck. What did they ask you in the MMI? And how long did it last
So they give you a sheet asking you to list you experiences of six different scenarios from your personal experiences.

So when it come to the interview the questions are related directly to what you have written.

I can’t actually remember the questions but interview last about 1.5hrs.
 

Mins

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2025
Messages
68
Location
London
I just received the email to complete the VSE assessment! has anyone already done it? and how did you find it? what practice material did you use to help?

TIA
 

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