SWR - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[simonh97]

Got my first set of tests on Monday in Southampton anyone going to be here from the forum?

Hey mate, yeah I’ll be there! I’m the 9:00 time. Staying the night before in a hotel as I don’t want to get up super early to come for the tests lol

 

[flopsie19]

I had my first set of tests today (WAFV, ATAVT and 2HAND) at Southampton. I stayed the night before in a hotel incase of any train issues and being able to relax.
Very happy to say that I passed these tests. The assessor said recruitment will be in touch to arrange the second lot of tests. Good luck to anyone doing their tests over the next few weeks!

 

[Big O 82]

Hey mate, yeah I’ll be there! I’m the 9:00 time. Staying the night before in a hotel as I don’t want to get up super early to come for the tests lol

This Monday coming?? I went last Monday but had to be deferred (paperwork/tech issue) to next Friday when I am doing all the tests in one day lol! Best of luck

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

I had my first set of tests today (WAFV, ATAVT and 2HAND) at Southampton. I stayed the night before in a hotel incase of any train issues and being able to relax.
Very happy to say that I passed these tests. The assessor said recruitment will be in touch to arrange the second lot of tests. Good luck to anyone doing their tests over the next few weeks!

Well done strange they made you do PC tests first thought normally was paper test first!! How did you find the tests?!? Did they not offer to book you in for next tests after today?

 

[simonh97]

This Monday coming?? I went last Monday but had to be deferred (paperwork/tech issue) to next Friday when I am doing all the tests in one day lol! Best of luck

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==


Well done strange they made you do PC tests first thought normally was paper test first!! How did you find the tests?!? Did they not offer to book you in for next tests after today?

Oh I see. Sorry you had to defer, but I’m glad that you’ve managed to get a date for them. Hopefully they all go well!

I had to do the PC tests first too for some reason. Got my paper ones tomorrow, but it was an email they sent a day or so after my computer tests that had tomorrow as an option for paper tests

 

[30022]

Has anyone heard anything back yet from the December 2025 applications for Basingstoke or Farnham?

 

[simonh97]

Has anyone heard anything back yet from the December 2025 applications for Basingstoke or Farnham?

Yeah I was a December 2025 application for Basingstoke and did my second round of tests today

 

[I2026]

Has anyone heard anything back yet from the December 2025 applications for Basingstoke or Farnham?

I am in the Farnham application pool too, however had completed my tests already so application is shown as active. You can apply for as many depots as you like - the assessments are valid for all. There are lists as I understand it, and you get added to the list for the depots etc

 

[30022]

I am in the Farnham application pool too, however had completed my tests already so application is shown as active. You can apply for as many depots as you like - the assessments are valid for all. There are lists as I understand it, and you get added to the list for the depots etc

Mine is still only showing as submitted. Likewise for Basingstoke. I know things can take a while. Maybe they are just wading through them, or maybe I need to give them a call. I’d also previously taken the assessments, but they expired in January.

 

[I2026]

Mine is still only showing as submitted. Likewise for Basingstoke. I know things can take a while. Maybe they are just wading through them, or maybe I need to give them a call. I’d also previously taken the assessments, but they expired in January.

If your assessments have expired then yes call them. Submitted means its in the pool so to speak, but, when I applied for the other depots I had to call them as the system asks you to do SJT as if its a new application and its all a bit confusing. I have had zero update on them since last year - presume I am in the list for both but the whole process is a mystery

 

[machine27]

Just had a phone call saying I’ve passed my MMI! I wanted to say thank you to anyone who’s posted any advice or tips for the whole process, this forum is literal gold dust. Barring the outcome of the medical tomorrow I hope to be on a course on the 30/03. I wish everyone the best with their applications!

 

[Richie0923]

Just had a phone call saying I’ve passed my MMI! I wanted to say thank you to anyone who’s posted any advice or tips for the whole process, this forum is literal gold dust. Barring the outcome of the medical tomorrow I hope to be on a course on the 30/03. I wish everyone the best with their applications!

Great news and wish you all the best. When did you sit your MMI?

 

[machine27]

Thank you! I sat it on Monday

Great news and wish you all the best. When did you sit your MMI?

 

[John Thomas]

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 ==


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?

Thank you .

 

[w11_supremecy]

SWR have just advertised talent pools vacancies for Waterloo and Fratton. These vacancies are crazy high in demand and go very quickly, usually within a few hours, so if you want to get an application in do so immediately.

Trainee Train Driver - Waterloo - London, England, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

Trainee Train Driver - Fratton - Fratton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

 

[LDNtrains21]

SWR have just advertised talent pools vacancies for Waterloo and Fratton. These vacancies are crazy high in demand and go very quickly, usually within a few hours, so if you want to get an application in do so immediately.

Trainee Train Driver - Waterloo - London, England, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

Trainee Train Driver - Fratton - Fratton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

Wow, you weren't kidding, was applying for the London one, went back a mere 10 minutes later to refresh the advertisement and it was already pulled down. I completed and passed the SJT on their site anyhow but think I've probably just missed the applcation window

 

[thejedtrain]

Anyone who did apply for Waterloo in time
last week and completed their online test last week, has anyone heard back yet for anything further?

 

[DMckduck]

Anyone who did apply for Waterloo in time
last week and completed their online test last week, has anyone heard back yet for anything further?

Waterloo will be ultra competitive, probably pushing towards 10,000+ applicants.

Id be surprised if there is any movement so soon.

 

[thejedtrain]

Fair enough, know someone who applied last campaign and heard back a week later to start assessments. Let’s see, vacancy was online live for a few hours so let’s see.

 

[I2026]

Fair enough, know someone who applied last campaign and heard back a week later to start assessments. Let’s see, vacancy was online live for a few hours so let’s see.

I would expect you to hear back within 2 weeks, I believe each depot will have the same limit imposed as there is an ongoing talent pool, Waterloo was also advertised last year, and there is only a handful of people in HR who have to go through all these applications so 10k would take them maybe a year or two?

 

[thejedtrain]

I would expect you to hear back within 2 weeks, I believe each depot will have the same limit imposed as there is an ongoing talent pool, Waterloo was also advertised last year, and there is only a handful of people in HR who have to go through all these applications so 10k would take them maybe a year or two?

Hopefully, applied as soon as it come out and done the online test before it even closed. Vacancy closed within a few hours

 

[1stClassAcw]

Has anyone heard anything back from SWR regarding the Waterloo driver job that was advertised last week, I’ve only got the computer test left and just want to get them out of the way

 

[LDNtrains21]

Just got an email saying that my application was successful, was sure I missed the window. Just booked the assessment date for next month. For what it's worth for future reference, from applying to confirmation was only 8 days.

 

[Thomas999]

Just had a phone call saying I’ve passed my MMI! I wanted to say thank you to anyone who’s posted any advice or tips for the whole process, this forum is literal gold dust. Barring the outcome of the medical tomorrow I hope to be on a course on the 30/03. I wish everyone the best with their applications!

Congratulations buddy, it's great to hear success stories. I have just had my DMI but was unsuccessful, feel very deflated but atleast I have the OPC assessments passed and valid for 5 years. I have to wait 6 months before I can apply again. I have also asked for feedback to try and find out where my weaknesses are and where I need to improve, I'm not sure if I'll hear back though.

 

[I2026]

Congratulations buddy, it's great to hear success stories. I have just had my DMI but was unsuccessful, feel very deflated but atleast I have the OPC assessments passed and valid for 5 years. I have to wait 6 months before I can apply again. I have also asked for feedback to try and find out where my weaknesses are and where I need to improve, I'm not sure if I'll hear back though.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Mar 2026 ==

I have just had my DMI after passing the assessment centre in Southampton, unfortunately I received an email saying I wasn't successful. I feel quite deflated but on the positive, I have passed my assessments and they are valid for 5 years so I can re-apply after 6 months.

I have asked for feedback but not sure if I'll get a response, has anyone else asked for feedback after an unsuccessful interview? If so, did you get a response?

Sorry to hear this - can you provide some context around your background and what kind of questions were asked? My DMI in comparison seemed almost un-failable, it could not have been more laid back and chatty and I was asked nothing at all about the company / rail related stuff.

 

[Thomas999]

Sorry to hear this - can you provide some context around your background and what kind of questions were asked? My DMI in comparison seemed almost un-failable, it could not have been more laid back and chatty and I was asked nothing at all about the company / rail related stuff.

I am a firefighter with 19 years experience to date, have done customer service roles prior to that. The interview seemed relaxed, and I thought it went well at the time.

The main line of questions were related to my experiences and rail related situations, a few questions about me and theoretical ones like "what would you do in this scenario". I answered all questions fully and in detail hence why I'm seeking feedback for my weaknesses.

 

[I2026]

I am a firefighter with 19 years experience to date, have done customer service roles prior to that. The interview seemed relaxed and I thought it went well at the time. The main line of questions were related to my experiences and rail related situations, a few questions about me and theoretical ones like"what would you do in this scenario". I answered all questions fully and in detail hence why I'm seeking feedback for my weaknesses.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Mar 2026 ==


Could I cheekily join the WhatsApp group

I am a firefighter with 19 years experience to date, have done customer service roles prior to that. The interview seemed relaxed, and I thought it went well at the time.


The main line of questions were related to my experiences and rail related situations, a few questions about me and theoretical ones like "what would you do in this scenario". I answered all questions fully and in detail hence why I'm seeking feedback for my weaknesses.

 

[Thomas999]

That's incredible and you are not the first to say they have had a positive experience with SWR interview but then found out they have not passed. I would have thought as an emergency service worker you would be almost guaranteed to get in - I felt like it was the case for me. I am stunned, genuinley.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Mar 2026 ==


I tried to message you but the function has been removed, don't know why.

Thanks buddy, I thought I was in a relatively strong position with my background, skills, knowledge based and experiences. Maybe I'm just not a natural at interviews? but I'm very keen to gain feedback so I can work on the areas where I've lacked in the interview. What was your background ?

 

[CRSONE]

SWR Waterloo trainee position up

Trainee Train Driver - Waterloo - London, England, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

 

[NSEWonderer]

Quite a few depots outside of just waterloo too.

 

[thejedtrain]

Wonder why they reposted Waterloo as it only opened a few weeks ago, same vacancy code and everything.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Mar 2026 ==

Waterloo down now.