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LNER - Trainee/Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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RailUK Forums

DennyDriver

Member
Joined
9 Jan 2026
Messages
28
Location
Scotland
Seems like it’s advantageous to get your application in ASAP. They must look through the first X amount and interview from those - even if everyone in the next batch could score higher!

Not used to this sort of recruitment in my industry, all applications would at least be looked at then sifted. Although guess it makes sense if we’re talking 1,000’s of applications and a very small amount sifting them…
 

Liam Brown

New Member
Joined
21 Jan 2026
Messages
3
Location
Edinburgh
I agree, surely if you get your application in before the closing date, it shouldn't matter the timeframe. Otherwise, a first come first serve type notification should have been posted on the application. I'd say this leaves others at a disadvantage otherwise.

I didn't see the advert until the day before closing even thought I was signed up to notifications. I'm still hopeful that I'll hear back soon. Likewise for all that have applied and made it this far. Good luck.
 

Kieranmcd

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
33
Location
Scotland
I wonder if anyone who's been invited for an interview for Edinburgh also recieved the "keep your application live for 6 months" email or not. Not sure if you're able to share, but it would be good to know as it would suggest those that received that probably got it around the same time interview slots were sent too, and maybe suggests its not been our luck this time around.
Cheers
 

Arussoco

Member
Joined
6 Apr 2024
Messages
73
Location
Edinburgh
I wonder if anyone who's been invited for an interview for Edinburgh also recieved the "keep your application live for 6 months" email or not. Not sure if you're able to share, but it would be good to know as it would suggest those that received that probably got it around the same time interview slots were sent too, and maybe suggests its not been our luck this time around.
Cheers
The person that i know going through the process never got the 6th month email just straight through
 

Mihigo26

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2025
Messages
66
Location
Edinburgh
I get the impression and I could be very well wrong that they've took X amount as a batch (either based on the initial sift testing scores or application time etc) because that's all they have needed. They know from the number in the batch they've took they will get enough drivers and the rest of us are out of luck somehow.

If it's something like that it's grossly unfair but not much we can do really. I'd love to get the insight from someone who knows what the actual process is.
 

Chaz15

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2018
Messages
93
A lot of defeatist attitudes here.

For insight, I completed everything on the 16th. I fully expect to get an interview at some point because I have relevant knowledge, skills and experience and I'm confident that I got that across. Obviously for the first lot there were those who scored higher, it's not unexpected in a competative industry.

If they done a week of interviews, say realistically 10 a day, they've done about 60 people. Not all of them will have passed, and not all that passed will pass the next stage. They will also look to make a pool, because that's efficient.

I'm not saying everyone on the 6 month wait is guaranteed an interview, but I'm fairly sure that they wont stop with one weeks worth of candidates.

Patience is key.
 

Stevo2687

Member
Joined
7 Nov 2025
Messages
45
Location
Scotland
A lot of defeatist attitudes here.

For insight, I completed everything on the 16th. I fully expect to get an interview at some point because I have relevant knowledge, skills and experience and I'm confident that I got that across. Obviously for the first lot there were those who scored higher, it's not unexpected in a competative industry.

If they done a week of interviews, say realistically 10 a day, they've done about 60 people. Not all of them will have passed, and not all that passed will pass the next stage. They will also look to make a pool, because that's efficient.

I'm not saying everyone on the 6 month wait is guaranteed an interview, but I'm fairly sure that they wont stop with one weeks worth of candidates.

Patience is key.

Completely agree with everything you have said, most likely will only do one recruitment drive for the full year and use they applicants to fill positions and courses throughout the year.
 

chris89

Established Member
Joined
21 Dec 2009
Messages
1,371
Location
Somewhere
A lot of defeatist attitudes here.

For insight, I completed everything on the 16th. I fully expect to get an interview at some point because I have relevant knowledge, skills and experience and I'm confident that I got that across. Obviously for the first lot there were those who scored higher, it's not unexpected in a competative industry.

If they done a week of interviews, say realistically 10 a day, they've done about 60 people. Not all of them will have passed, and not all that passed will pass the next stage. They will also look to make a pool, because that's efficient.

I'm not saying everyone on the 6 month wait is guaranteed an interview, but I'm fairly sure that they wont stop with one weeks worth of candidates.

Patience is key.
Exactly just got to wait and see. Hell lots of Rail jobs it can take forever or feels like it to hear anything. As said, can't imagine would do only a week of interviews if that.
 

Psalms3418

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2025
Messages
31
Location
London
Congratulations to everyone who’s heard back. I submitted my videos on the 23rd so hoping to hear back soon.

It seems that, following the timetable change and the increase in timetabled slots, there’s a greater demand for drivers at KGX. This is purely speculation on my part, but it may explain the quicker turnaround in reviewing applications compared with the Edinburgh roles.

With that in mind, I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on the following:

Is priority typically given to internal applicants?

Is there any further psychometric testing after the face-to-face interviews?

This is my first application and would love to hear any feedback you may have.
Out of curiosity - where did you find the information about timetable changes and increased timetables slots?
I want to have a look for myself
This is very similar to what I was told at my DMI this week.
———————————————————
For those who have had their DMI’s at KGX already we should hear back by the beginning of next week. Some of us will either fill the April training slots or be put in the Talent Pool obviously dependent on passing psychometrics.

This may be the quickest turnaround I’ve seen by any TOC - Jan to April.

Best of luck to everyone!
 

tallpaul82

Member
Joined
4 Jan 2017
Messages
43
Out of curiosity - where did you find the information about timetable changes and increased timetables slots?
I want to have a look for myself
This is very similar to what I was told at my DMI this week.
———————————————————
For those who have had their DMI’s at KGX already we should hear back by the beginning of next week. Some of us will either fill the April training slots or be put in the Talent Pool obviously dependent on passing psychometrics.

This may be the quickest turnaround I’ve seen by any TOC - Jan to April.

Best of luck to everyone!
LNER can recruit quickly when they need to. I applied on the 13th Jan 2022 and had a job offer on the 24th Feb 2022 after completing interviews and psychometrics. I started on the 27th March 2022 so coming up to 4 years now.
 

Psalms3418

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2025
Messages
31
Location
London
LNER can recruit quickly when they need to. I applied on the 13th Jan 2022 and had a job offer on the 24th Feb 2022 after completing interviews and psychometrics. I started on the 27th March 2022 so coming up to 4 years now.
Wow that’s amazing!

I recognise your username from the ‘22 thread.
Congrats on coming up to 4years!

Would you mind if I PM you to pick your brain a little?
 

tallpaul82

Member
Joined
4 Jan 2017
Messages
43
Wow that’s amazing!

I recognise your username from the ‘22 thread.
Congrats on coming up to 4years!

Would you mind if I PM you to pick your brain a little?
Hi. I know the process has changed a lot since I applied so I won’t be much use unfortunately.
 

Munnie888

New Member
Joined
29 Jan 2026
Messages
4
Location
london
Out of curiosity - where did you find the information about timetable changes and increased timetables slots?
I want to have a look for myself
This is very similar to what I was told at my DMI this week.
———————————————————
For those who have had their DMI’s at KGX already we should hear back by the beginning of next week. Some of us will either fill the April training slots or be put in the Talent Pool obviously dependent on passing psychometrics.

This may be the quickest turnaround I’ve seen by any TOC - Jan to April.

Best of luck to n
Hello- it was in an article I came across.. https://www.lner.co.uk/news/times-are-changing-on-the-east-coast-as-lner-gears-up-for-timetable/

I hope your interview went well!
Out of curiosity, did they give any indication that they’d be interviewing more people? Would love to know if we should be holding our breath.. much appreciated
 

Psalms3418

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2025
Messages
31
Location
London
Hello- it was in an article I came across.. https://www.lner.co.uk/news/times-are-changing-on-the-east-coast-as-lner-gears-up-for-timetable/

I hope your interview went well!
Out of curiosity, did they give any indication that they’d be interviewing more people? Would love to know if we should be holding our breath.. much appreciated
Thank you!

I believe it went well, I’ll be glued to my emails the next few days.
I couldn’t pick anything from what they said that would make it seem like they would or would not be doing more interviews.
From previous LNER threads you can notice a pattern that they sometimes do things in waves - do the first batch then the next. Those from the first batch that don’t make it through interview/psychometrics/medical will open a slot for someone from the next batch to take that opportunity and so on.
But like one of the fellas said previously, the process has changed so I have no idea

Still have faith though, no news is good news!
 

Steve V

New Member
Joined
11 Dec 2025
Messages
4
Location
Shenfield, Essex
I received an email yesterday that stated that I didn't meet the required benchmark for Kings Cross. Disappointing as I was sure it went very well, Oh well, on we go!
 

Dee12321

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2026
Messages
10
Location
London
I received an email yesterday that stated that I didn't meet the required benchmark for Kings Cross. Disappointing as I was sure it went very well, Oh well, on we go!
Apologies if this comes across as a silly question. Also, sorry that you didnt meet the benchmark for Kings Cross.

But was this after the the 6Q online video interview or the in person interview?
 

Mins

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2025
Messages
68
Location
London
If i have done an assesment day with another Toc, would i need to wait 1 year before i can go to another? or is that just with 1 Toc?
 

Pintman

Member
Joined
13 Dec 2023
Messages
190
Location
The Pub
If i have done an assesment day with another Toc, would i need to wait 1 year before i can go to another? or is that just with 1 Toc?
If you've failed to the national standard then you'll need to wait a year before you can go anywhere
 

Rimz

New Member
Joined
21 Dec 2025
Messages
1
Location
London
If i have done an assesment day with another Toc, would i need to wait 1 year before i can go to another? or is that just with 1 Toc?

To my understanding, you can apply for other TOCs but if their tests are with OPC, they would not allow you to do them until a year has elapsed (OPC will know this when they check their records).

In the meantime, you should still apply for other roles in TOCs for the experience, which may be beneficial should you get to an MMI / DMI stage in future.
 

Mins

Member
Joined
14 Oct 2025
Messages
68
Location
London
To my understanding, you can apply for other TOCs but if their tests are with OPC, they would not allow you to do them until a year has elapsed (OPC will know this when they check their records).

In the meantime, you should still apply for other roles in TOCs for the experience, which may be beneficial should you get to an MMI / DMI stage in future.
thank you!
 

br19

New Member
Joined
19 Feb 2026
Messages
2
Location
Cambridgeshire
Anyone heard back from their DMI at KGX?
Was fortunate enough to have passed the DMI for Kings Cross, Psychometric tests are next up, booked in for early March up in Doncaster.

During the interview (Early Feb) they said they had around 24 people they were interviewing, if I recall correctly, but as previously mentioned by some they are doing them in batches so this may have already changed since.

If successful at all stages they were talking about potential courses in April & June but they were very clear they aren't confirmed as of yet.

Wishing everybody the best of luck!
 
Last edited:

lou19

Member
Joined
7 Jan 2026
Messages
6
Location
London
Was fortunate enough to have passed the DMI for Kings Cross, Psychometric tests are next up, booked in for early March up in Doncaster.

During the interview (Early Feb) they said they had around 24 people they were interviewing, if I recall correctly, but as previously mentioned by some they are doing them in batches so this may have already changed since.

If successful at all stages they were talking about potential courses in April & June but they were very clear they aren't confirmed as of yet.

Wishing everybody the best of luck!
Congratulations, did you hear back today?

Good luck on Psychometrics aswell.
 

br19

New Member
Joined
19 Feb 2026
Messages
2
Location
Cambridgeshire
Congratulations, did you hear back today?

Good luck on Psychometrics aswell.
Thank you!

Got the email on the 17th Feb telling me the result of the interview and details for the next stage.

I tried to create an account earlier but was having issues with receiving a confirmation email from railforums so couldn't post sooner.
 

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