SWR - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[I2026]

ah good luck! I think a few of the questions I got asked in the DMI at SWR and the sort of answers they were looking for overlapped with the sort of questions for the MMI too so if you do well with that it gives you a good chance hopefully. Medical's on Thursday, I'll keep you guys in the loop.

I am interested in timelines, specifically between DMI and MMI as I had my DMI in December but can't start anything until September this year anyway. It seems like the MMI is allocated very close to start date by the comments above, do you mind me asking when you started your application and whether or not it is accurate to expect 12 - 18 months start date from date of application?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Im sat in the waiting room in Southampton now for my mmi thanks for the info, sort of settled my nerves with the process of the day but still nervous cos id love the job obviously as all of us would

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Ive applied for guildford and the have preemptively booked my medical for the 27th with the intention on starting on the second of Feb

Good luck, and same questions to you as above if you don't mind - any info on how your timelines worked out? Thanks

 

[jberry96]

I applied in august, then was invited down in september and then October november for the assessment 1/2 and then nov for the dmi, went quiet over xmas and now doing the mmi currently( in the waiting room waiting for the next part) and then they are telling me the medical is next Tuesday if im successful today, and then start on the second if all is well with the medical

 

[traineesw]

I applied in august, then was invited down in september and then October november for the assessment 1/2 and then nov for the dmi, went quiet over xmas and now doing the mmi currently( in the waiting room waiting for the next part) and then they are telling me the medical is next Tuesday if im successful today, and then start on the second if all is well with the medical

Is that for Waterloo depot? And intrigued to know how many people are there including you?

 

[I2026]

I applied in august, then was invited down in september and then October november for the assessment 1/2 and then nov for the dmi, went quiet over xmas and now doing the mmi currently( in the waiting room waiting for the next part) and then they are telling me the medical is next Tuesday if im successful today, and then start on the second if all is well with the medical

Thats so fast, people say it takes years to get in but that's less than 6 months from the minute you looked at the job advert. Your timeline matches mine though, all be it I can't start anywhere near that soon. That's what worries me.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Is that for Waterloo depot? And intrigued to know how many people are there including you?

Guildford for him

 

[jberry96]

I think ive just butchered the mmi interview to be honest, the person that interviewed me was very dead pan which made it super hard and said my first example wasnt good enough so now I feel like I butchered it entirely

 

[choowhee]

I am interested in timelines, specifically between DMI and MMI as I had my DMI in December but can't start anything until September this year anyway. It seems like the MMI is allocated very close to start date by the comments above, do you mind me asking when you started your application and whether or not it is accurate to expect 12 - 18 months start date from date of application?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Think mine is the same timescale as jberry I think. I applied for the bournemouth depot back in July/August. I'd already done my assessments at Southeastern. Did the DMI in October, then quiet until couple of weeks ago when they invited me for the MMI. It is funny the timescale, for my southeastern application it was pretty quick too but I'd heard people there who had been waiting the 12-18 months timespan. So yeah I think its really just down to luck and the demand at the depot.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

I think ive just butchered the mmi interview to be honest, the person that interviewed me was very dead pan which made it super hard and said my first example wasnt good enough so now I feel like I butchered it entirely

ah that sucks :/ hope its better than you think

 

[Bfour21]

Finding all of this really interesting reading, my experience has been relatively slow. I applied for Weymouth depot as a TTD back in September 2024 and have got as far as waiting for an MMI date. Also have recently submitted an application for Bournemouth depot back in December, so now waiting for an MMI for either one. Will be interesting to see which comes off first. Good luck to everyone with their on going applications and interviews

 

[traineesw]

ah good luck! I think a few of the questions I got asked in the DMI at SWR and the sort of answers they were looking for overlapped with the sort of questions for the MMI too so if you do well with that it gives you a good chance hopefully. Medical's on Thursday, I'll keep you guys in the loop.

I just got a call saying I passed my DMI for TTD at Waterloo. However she did say there’s no MMI dates available yet but they’ll try get me in sooner rather than later. So hoping maybe in 2/3 weeks if I’m lucky.

 

[I2026]

I think ive just butchered the mmi interview to be honest, the person that interviewed me was very dead pan which made it super hard and said my first example wasnt good enough so now I feel like I butchered it entirely

I have read many who thought that but passed, don't start worrying just yet - I think it is designed to make you feel that way. Did they say that during the first question and did you change your example, or, was that at the end when you had no chance to come back?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Finding all of this really interesting reading, my experience has been relatively slow. I applied for Weymouth depot as a TTD back in September 2024 and have got as far as waiting for an MMI date. Also have recently submitted an application for Bournemouth depot back in December, so now waiting for an MMI for either one. Will be interesting to see which comes off first. Good luck to everyone with their on going applications and interviews

Yes I have three applications in across different depots, when I went for my DMI they kind of made it clear that I was interviewing for my first choice application. Recruitment told me that I can have as many applications in as I want, and I will just be in a different place on the list for each based on when I applied, however the DMIs didn't seem to agree with that notion and said no, this is for station "x" and you need to commit to station "x". So I am unsure how that works as the assessments and interviews are supposed to be valid for certain time lengths, and in theory therefore I could decline any offer for application 1 an station "x", then await a phone call for station y or z. But what if those phone calls never come? This is the conundrum.

 

[Bfour21]

I have read many who thought that but passed, don't start worrying just yet - I think it is designed to make you feel that way. Did they say that during the first question and did you change your example, or, was that at the end when you had no chance to come back?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==


Yes I have three applications in across different depots, when I went for my DMI they kind of made it clear that I was interviewing for my first choice application. Recruitment told me that I can have as many applications in as I want, and I will just be in a different place on the list for each based on when I applied, however the DMIs didn't seem to agree with that notion and said no, this is for station "x" and you need to commit to station "x". So I am unsure how that works as the assessments and interviews are supposed to be valid for certain time lengths, and in theory therefore I could decline any offer for application 1 an station "x", then await a phone call for station y or z. But what if those phone calls never come? This is the conundrum.

Ahh okay, well so far all of my tests/assessments and DMI have just been for the Weymouth depot as I had no other applications in. I was told by recruitment that where I am now would poll over to any new application so I am now at the same stage for both Bournemouth and Weymouth. From reading what other people have written on the thread there seems to be more activity with Bournemouth so hopefully I may hear something soon! Frankly though I would just absolutely love the job so whichever I hear back from would be absolutely fine for me!

 

[jberry96]

question

It was my written answer first question she started writing it down and said I dont think this fits what we are looking for but the interview continued

 

[traineesw]

I think ive just butchered the mmi interview to be honest, the person that interviewed me was very dead pan which made it super hard and said my first example wasnt good enough so now I feel like I butchered it entirely

keep ur head up im sure theres still a chance. Is your mmi interview over? they usually give you the result right away dont they? im not too sure. Apart from that one hiccup how did it go?

 

[jberry96]

They said allow up to 10 days, but its really hard, star technique is super hard to use there because they keep asking questions, I gave all my examples best i could and she kept looking for more and more

 

[traineesw]

They said allow up to 10 days, but its really hard, star technique is super hard to use there because they keep asking questions, I gave all my examples best i could and she kept looking for more and more

yhhh ive heard that alot, how many hours did the actual iinterview take

 

[Bfour21]

I have read many who thought that but passed, don't start worrying just yet - I think it is designed to make you feel that way. Did they say that during the first question and did you change your example, or, was that at the end when you had no chance to come back?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==


Yes I have three applications in across different depots, when I went for my DMI they kind of made it clear that I was interviewing for my first choice application. Recruitment told me that I can have as many applications in as I want, and I will just be in a different place on the list for each based on when I applied, however the DMIs didn't seem to agree with that notion and said no, this is for station "x" and you need to commit to station "x". So I am unsure how that works as the assessments and interviews are supposed to be valid for certain time lengths, and in theory therefore I could decline any offer for application 1 an station "x", then await a phone call for station y or z. But what if those phone calls never come? This is the conundrum.

Ahh okay, well so far all of my tests/assessments and DMI have just been for the Weymouth depot as I had no other applications in. I was told by recruitment that where I am now would poll over to any new application so I am now at the same stage for both Bournemouth and Weymouth. From reading what other people have written on the thread there seems to be more activity with Bournemouth so hopefully I may hear something soon! Frankly though I would just absolutely love the job so whichever I hear back from would be absolutely fine for me!

 

[I2026]

It was my written answer first question she started writing it down and said I dont think this fits what we are looking for but the interview continued

Ah ok. That does sound an odd thing to say, but, the MMI is odd in itself so have faith - you have got to the 7th stage of 7 if you exclude medicals so why would they seek to fail you now!

 

[jberry96]

yhhh ive heard that alot, how many hours did the actual iinterview take

From 10 till 11:45 I was there but unsure the specific time i went in

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Ahh okay, well so far all of my tests/assessments and DMI have just been for the Weymouth depot as I had no other applications in. I was told by recruitment that where I am now would poll over to any new application so I am now at the same stage for both Bournemouth and Weymouth. From reading what other people have written on the thread there seems to be more activity with Bournemouth so hopefully I may hear something soon! Frankly though I would just absolutely love the job so whichever I hear back from would be absolutely fine for me!

I just hope she doesnt mark it cos I dont think she understood some of the answers I gave

 

[choowhee]

Not too bad, not that far away now! When’s your medical if you don’t mind, and keep us posted as I’ve seen varying things about having certain BMIs for the medical to be passed so would be intrigued to see how swr do it. Thanks, just waiting to hear back from my DMI hopefully all is well!

Did the medical today, it was straightforward. Did the height and weight for the BMI. I'm a skinny guy so BMI wasn't really a problem. An ECG test where they stuck 10 or so pads on me to measure my heart beat. Colour blindness test. Eye test, I had my prescription glasses with me, did the test with and without the glasses just so they could see and my eyesight was alright with glasses which they were fine with. Then a hearing test, sat in a room with headphones on and a clicker in my hand, had to click the clicker when I could hear the sound/frequency. Drugs/Urine test and then once that was all good they sent me on to chat with a doctor who checked my breathing got me to (try) and touch my toes and do some twists to check I was mobile. Once that was all good they were able to tell me then and there I had passed and Southwestern called later today to confirm that as well.

They asked about prescriptions you're on (take them with you to the medical), if you have any other conditions etc, that was pretty much it

 

[traineesw]

Did the medical today, it was straightforward. Did the height and weight for the BMI. I'm a skinny guy so BMI wasn't really a problem. An ECG test where they stuck 10 or so pads on me to measure my heart beat. Colour blindness test. Eye test, I had my prescription glasses with me, did the test with and without the glasses just so they could see and my eyesight was alright with glasses which they were fine with. Then a hearing test, sat in a room with headphones on and a clicker in my hand, had to click the clicker when I could hear the sound/frequency. Drugs/Urine test and then once that was all good they sent me on to chat with a doctor who checked my breathing got me to (try) and touch my toes and do some twists to check I was mobile. Once that was all good they were able to tell me then and there I had passed and Southwestern called later today to confirm that as well.

They asked about prescriptions you're on (take them with you to the medical), if you have any other conditions etc, that was pretty much it

Great, congrats man! And thanks for the insight. Do you start your first portion of training in Basingstoke?

 

[choowhee]

Great, congrats man! And thanks for the insight. Do you start your first portion of training in Basingstoke?

thanks yeah thats what they told me. Hope you hear something about yours soon mate

 

[John Thomas]

Hi guys, just received a date for my initial assessments with SWR at Southampton in Feb. Can anyone tell me the timeline for the whole process, what is covered on the initial assessments on the first visit to the assessment centre? Thank you.

 

[I2026]

Hi guys, just received a date for my initial assessments with SWR at Southampton in Feb. Can anyone tell me the timeline for the whole process, what is covered on the initial assessments on the first visit to the assessment centre? Thank you.

Hi, it varies but at the moment application > assessments seem to be within first 2-3 months followed by DMI and MMI within 4 - 6 months of application. I went from application > assessments > DMI within 5 weeks which I think is the exception, but speaking to a few on here it seems the norm at the moment.

Long term its looking like 12 - 16 months from application > job offer.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jan 2026 ==

Hi guys, just received a date for my initial assessments with SWR at Southampton in Feb. Can anyone tell me the timeline for the whole process, what is covered on the initial assessments on the first visit to the assessment centre? Thank you.

In terms of what is covered you should get a comprehensive email and description of what is being tested - along with a 78 page guide?

 

[Bfour21]

Did the medical today, it was straightforward. Did the height and weight for the BMI. I'm a skinny guy so BMI wasn't really a problem. An ECG test where they stuck 10 or so pads on me to measure my heart beat. Colour blindness test. Eye test, I had my prescription glasses with me, did the test with and without the glasses just so they could see and my eyesight was alright with glasses which they were fine with. Then a hearing test, sat in a room with headphones on and a clicker in my hand, had to click the clicker when I could hear the sound/frequency. Drugs/Urine test and then once that was all good they sent me on to chat with a doctor who checked my breathing got me to (try) and touch my toes and do some twists to check I was mobile. Once that was all good they were able to tell me then and there I had passed and Southwestern called later today to confirm that as well.

They asked about prescriptions you're on (take them with you to the medical), if you have any other conditions etc, that was pretty much it

Congratulations! All the best for starting training

 

[SouthWestMax]

Hi all

I am also going through the process for Bournemouth. I applied in August 2025 and took my psychometric assessments late September (computerised) and then early October (paper), so from application to assessments it went quite quickly.

I was told at the end of the paper assessments day the DMI was next, as off now I am still waiting for the DMI, my educated estimate for the interview would be March-April time, and I’m then hoping a few weeks following that for MMI. So start date around 10-12 months from initial application which seems about right from what I’ve read on here.
If anyone has had similar experience I’d be keen to hear - I am debating ringing the Recruitment Team to show interest but don’t want to appear too keen or waste their time! In the meantime I’m continuing to sharpen my interview skills and delivery.

I come from a background in safety critical roles in aviation and have a private pilot’s licence which I would hope will help demonstrate ability to stay calm under pressure and follow SOPs etc.

Here’s hoping for an email soon for the next bit. Of course I don’t want to wish my time away but it can’t come soon enough. :- )
Also relocating back ‘home’ to the west side of the New Forest to be comfortably within distance.
Congratulations to those of you who are through and have courses, and good luck to those of you in my position.

Best regards

 

[Bfour21]

Hi all

I am also going through the process for Bournemouth. I applied in August 2025 and took my psychometric assessments late September (computerised) and then early October (paper), so from application to assessments it went quite quickly.

I was told at the end of the paper assessments day the DMI was next, as off now I am still waiting for the DMI, my educated estimate for the interview would be March-April time, and I’m then hoping a few weeks following that for MMI. So start date around 10-12 months from initial application which seems about right from what I’ve read on here.
If anyone has had similar experience I’d be keen to hear - I am debating ringing the Recruitment Team to show interest but don’t want to appear too keen or waste their time! In the meantime I’m continuing to sharpen my interview skills and delivery.

I come from a background in safety critical roles in aviation and have a private pilot’s licence which I would hope will help demonstrate ability to stay calm under pressure and follow SOPs etc.

Here’s hoping for an email soon for the next bit. Of course I don’t want to wish my time away but it can’t come soon enough. :- )
Also relocating back ‘home’ to the west side of the New Forest to be comfortably within distance.
Congratulations to those of you who are through and have courses, and good luck to those of you in my position.

Best regards

Hi!

Sounds good! And congratulations & well done on the tests and getting through to DMI!

From my experience on the couple of occasions I have phoned recruitment for an update they can never provide a date due to so many moving parts etc. but as you say it can show willing, and they certainly have never criticised for me doing this. It's just always we don't have any updates at this time.

I'd say you are probably about right in the timeline you've guessed, I have an application for both Weymouth and Bournemouth depots in and am currently in the waiting for MMI stage, it does seem to be that Bournemouth is moving a lot quicker than Weymouth which is positive and promising!

Fingers crossed you will hear soon and be well on the way for you're DMI!

 

[I2026]

Hi!

Sounds good! And congratulations & well done on the tests and getting through to DMI!

From my experience on the couple of occasions I have phoned recruitment for an update they can never provide a date due to so many moving parts etc. but as you say it can show willing, and they certainly have never criticised for me doing this. It's just always we don't have any updates at this time.

I'd say you are probably about right in the timeline you've guessed, I have an application for both Weymouth and Bournemouth depots in and am currently in the waiting for MMI stage, it does seem to be that Bournemouth is moving a lot quicker than Weymouth which is positive and promising!

Fingers crossed you will hear soon and be well on the way for you're DMI!

Hi all

I am also going through the process for Bournemouth. I applied in August 2025 and took my psychometric assessments late September (computerised) and then early October (paper), so from application to assessments it went quite quickly.

I was told at the end of the paper assessments day the DMI was next, as off now I am still waiting for the DMI, my educated estimate for the interview would be March-April time, and I’m then hoping a few weeks following that for MMI. So start date around 10-12 months from initial application which seems about right from what I’ve read on here.
If anyone has had similar experience I’d be keen to hear - I am debating ringing the Recruitment Team to show interest but don’t want to appear too keen or waste their time! In the meantime I’m continuing to sharpen my interview skills and delivery.

I come from a background in safety critical roles in aviation and have a private pilot’s licence which I would hope will help demonstrate ability to stay calm under pressure and follow SOPs etc.

Here’s hoping for an email soon for the next bit. Of course I don’t want to wish my time away but it can’t come soon enough. :- )
Also relocating back ‘home’ to the west side of the New Forest to be comfortably within distance.
Congratulations to those of you who are through and have courses, and good luck to those of you in my position.

Best regards

Will reply tmrw as have more time but dont see point in calling recruitment, exactly as bfour said, the update is always no update! Im awaiting MMI too. Applied Nov 2025 and went through everything else in 6 weeks including DMI.

 

[w11_supremecy]

New poster in here, lovely to hear that people are chugging along nicely in their individual processes. Thought I’d share this, I applied for the 13th January opening for Wimbledon last year, as well as an opening for Waterloo in September 2024. Both were advertised as talent pools, and thus I am well aware it could be a very long process as it normally is in the railway world. I did the SJT and passed that. But I haven’t heard back at all since. Now I know the SJT is based off the highest scores etc, and I am well-informed as someone who works on the railway of the waits involved, but is it really common to be waiting over a year without even doing a single in-person assessment? Is there any disparity between internal and external candidates that I’m not aware of, or is it just a case of me being unlucky with the time I’m having to wait? I have spoken to recruitment a few times and been reassured my applications are still in progress as both were completed on the old FirstGroup recruitment website, and obviously there isn’t anything that I can do about this, but yeah I am interested in what some of you think about this. I will keep hanging in there though, hopefully my opportunity to do the assessments will come soon. It’s already been a long wait haha.

 

[Bfour21]

New poster in here, lovely to hear that people are chugging along nicely in their individual processes. Thought I’d share this, I applied for the 13th January opening for Wimbledon last year, as well as an opening for Waterloo in September 2024. Both were advertised as talent pools, and thus I am well aware it could be a very long process as it normally is in the railway world. I did the SJT and passed that. But I haven’t heard back at all since. Now I know the SJT is based off the highest scores etc, and I am well-informed as someone who works on the railway of the waits involved, but is it really common to be waiting over a year without even doing a single in-person assessment? Is there any disparity between internal and external candidates that I’m not aware of, or is it just a case of me being unlucky with the time I’m having to wait? I have spoken to recruitment a few times and been reassured my applications are still in progress as both were completed on the old FirstGroup recruitment website, and obviously there isn’t anything that I can do about this, but yeah I am interested in what some of you think about this. I will keep hanging in there though, hopefully my opportunity to do the assessments will come soon. It’s already been a long wait haha.

Hi, hope you're good! And it's really helpful to see others experiences as it makes you feel like you're not alone

Try not to worry too much, I know easier said than done!! But from my experience these things do just take time with multiple long pauses in between with no Comms which can be frustrating for sure!

It's my understanding that the psychometrics have a 4/5 year expiry on them, with DMI's and MMI's having a year expiry, so I'm sure you are very much still in the process, it does really just seem to be lucky of the draw with these talent pool's!

Keep plugging away as it's a hell of a job to get in the end, and hopefully we can all look back sometime and think it was all well worth the wait!

 

[w11_supremecy]

Hi, hope you're good! And it's really helpful to see others experiences as it makes you feel like you're not alone

Try not to worry too much, I know easier said than done!! But from my experience these things do just take time with multiple long pauses in between with no Comms which can be frustrating for sure!

It's my understanding that the psychometrics have a 4/5 year expiry on them, with DMI's and MMI's having a year expiry, so I'm sure you are very much still in the process, it does really just seem to be lucky of the draw with these talent pool's!

Keep plugging away as it's a hell of a job to get in the end, and hopefully we can all look back sometime and think it was all well worth the wait!

Cheers man, thanks for the reassurance. Yeah no, I know what the entire process entails, just find it a bit mad that well over a year can pass and you haven’t had the chance to even begin the psychometrics/assessment process, just the very short situational judgment questions you do straight after submitting your application… it is what it is, I will continue to persevere. I’ve been regularly checking in with recruitment every now and again (who have been lovely throughout and been very reassuring considering they have tons to get through and can’t confirm anything) so all I can do is keep faith. I wanted to send this also to give some hope to anyone who may be lurking about who are in the exact same situation as I am in. It’s a very long piece of string…

 

[I2026]

Cheers man, thanks for the reassurance. Yeah no, I know what the entire process entails, just find it a bit mad that well over a year can pass and you haven’t had the chance to even begin the psychometrics/assessment process, just the very short situational judgment questions you do straight after submitting your application… it is what it is, I will continue to persevere. I’ve been regularly checking in with recruitment every now and again (who have been lovely throughout and been very reassuring considering they have tons to get through and can’t confirm anything) so all I can do is keep faith. I wanted to send this also to give some hope to anyone who may be lurking about who are in the exact same situation as I am in. It’s a very long piece of string…

Wow, im surprised to read that. But, your still in the game so, I guess be positive? Will reply fully in the morning, just going to bed.